UK Health Security Agency
Healthcare Scientist
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London, London (region), NW9 5EQ
Job Summary
The postholder will work in the Colindale Sequencing Laboratory (CSL) in Colindale and contribute to ensuring the provision of genomic services to our customers, including Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), Sanger sequencing, and fragment analysis using a variety of instruments and technologies.
Working for your Organisation
We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.
UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.
Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers
Job Description
To provide and support molecular routine service delivery within the remit of CSL.
To carry out NGS on Sequencing platforms using automated liquid handling procedures and equipment.
Job Holder is expected to work under the supervision of a HEO/Biomedical Scientist, following defined SOP/protocols and would be expected to refer non-routine issues to their supervisor.
Use the NGS LIMS system to carry out sample tracking throughout the procedure.
To ensure the smooth flow of samples through the laboratory, from receipt to testing.
To carry out routine quality control procedures to ensure that samples are being prepared, recorded, and archived to a high standard.
To maintain equipment, including routine monitoring, calibration and safety checks and maintain records of these.
To facilitate the day-to-day running of the laboratory by ensuring the availability of stock and reagents.
To assist in the instruction and training of other staff and visitors, and to ensure compliance with safety and quality systems.
To encourage the development of a flexible team by supporting training, development, and rotation.
Any other duties within the framework of the job summary.
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities:
Communication and Key Working Relationships
Internal
Work in collaboration with the Head of the Colindale Sequencing Laboratory, Deputy Head and other staff within CSL, Genomics and Colindale.
Liaise with other staff within PHM Reference Services and Laboratories and assist and advise other scientists, Biomedical Scientists and trainees working in the group.
External
To liaise with collaborators and external CSL customers.
To liaise with staff in other diagnostic and research laboratories outside of UKHSA.
Quality
In collaboration with the Quality Team & local management, to:
Maintain a high standard of work, and appraise and contribute to developing services so that they are safe, effective, and economical and follow best practice.
Work towards ensuring an efficient quality management system.
Contribute to internal and external quality assurance programmes.
Ensure compliance with UKAS and other accreditation and certification standards.
Ensure the continual development and compliance of internal and external audit programmes and corrective actions.
Information Technology
To use software packages as appropriate for word processing, as well as specialist packages as required.
To be competent in the use of the Laboratory Information System (LIMS) and use the LIMS system to carry out sample tracking throughout the procedure.
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Safety
To Agree On Safety Objectives And To Review Performance At Appraisal, And Support The Senior Management Team In Performing Duties With Respect To:
Ensuring health, safety and welfare of self, staff, and visitors.
Ensuring relevant UKHSA health and safety policies and laboratory safety committee recommendations and actions are implemented.
Ensure implementation of remedial actions resulting from safety inspections and audits.
Other
The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by your line manager.
The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the division and UKHSA.
It should be noted that the work of the division is of a confidential nature and must not be communicated to other persons except where required for authorised purposes.
Personal Development
You should pursue a programme of continuous professional development in accordance with any relevant professional registration or statutory requirements, while maintaining appropriate awareness of service provider requirements.
Identify, discuss, and action own professional performance and training/development needs with your line manager through appraisal/individual development plan.
Attending internal/external training events.
To participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training.
Undertake specialist training in NGS and molecular techniques.
Please note the above is not exhaustive.
Person specification
Essential Role Criteria:
BSc in a relevant biological science
Knowledge of automated liquid handling
Knowledge and understanding of laboratory safety requirements and procedures
Desirable Role Criteria:
Experience in NGS Platforms
Excellent time management skills with the ability to prioritise
Alongside your salary of £32,624, UK Health Security Agency contributes £9,451 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).
Learning and development tailored to your role
An environment with flexible working options
A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
Success Profiles - GOV.UK
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 3 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:
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Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
1000 word supporting statement.
This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.
You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V –please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV.
Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 1000 words. We will not consider any words over 1000 words.
Longlisting:
In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:
Meets all essential criteria
Meets some essential criteria
Meets no essential criteria
If used, the pile(s) ‘Meets all essential criteria’ will proceed to shortlisting.
Shortlisting:
In the event of a large number of applications we may conduct an initial sift, on the lead criteria of:
BSc in a relevant biological science
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview
Success profiles Success Profiles - GOV.UK
You will be invited to a face to face interview at our site in Colindale.
If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.
Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills will be tested at interview.
Technical skills will be assessed via a technical based question.
Experience will be assessed via an experience based question.
The Behaviours Tested During The Interview Stage Will Be:
Making effective decisions (Lead Behaviour)
Developing Self and Others
Delivering at Pace
Working together
Interview dates are to be confirmed.
Location
This role is being offered as lab based at our site in Colindale. You will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.
Please note, hybrid working is not available for this role.
Security Clearance Level Requirement
Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-Terrorist Check.
Eligibility Criteria
This vacancy is open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service as well as internal applicants.
Reserve List
If more than the required number of suitable candidates pass the interview criteria, you may be kept on a reserve list for 12 months subject to your agreement. You may be contacted, in merit-order, if similar roles with closely matching essential criteria become available and the department choose
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