Scientific Campus - Porton

As a category 1 responder UKHSA has a critical responsibility to scale laboratory diagnostic capacity within the first 6 weeks of an emerging threat with epidemic or pandemic potential. One way in which this will be delivered is through a new standby semi-automated and high throughput PCR testing facility at our Porton Down scientific campus. We are therefore looking for HCPC registered Senior Biomedical Scientists to lead validation and implementation of this vital capability.

Successful applicants will join a new team, Amplify, within the Diagnostic and Pathogen Characterisation Division and work alongside colleagues in the Rare and Imported Pathogen Laboratory and Diagnostic Development and Implementation team. You will be responsible for developing a new testing facility to meet ISO 15189 accreditation standards ensuring validation, maintenance and implementation of responsive, adaptable high throughput molecular testing workflows. The Post Holder will be expected to be flexible to the demands of the project area, have excellent communication skills and use their technical experience to ensure the service is delivered on time and remains ready to respond. This will include changing patterns of work to include out of hours shifts when incident or outbreak response mode is activated and research and training delivery in support of wider organisational priorities.

Job Description

In this you will:

• Fulfil the role of Laboratory Safety Officer for this facility.
• Oversee co-ordination and delivery of team training requirements, ensuring compliance with HCPC, ISO15189 and UKHSA standards.
• Assist in the evaluation, validation and implementation of diagnostic assays and high throughput testing workflows to enable delivery of a new ISO 15189 accredited testing facility.
• Perform a range of diagnostic assays and techniques as required to meet the needs of testing provision within UKHSA. This will include diagnostic testing and sub-contracted testing for research activities.
• Prioritise, co-ordinate, and supervise the workload staff, including line management responsibilities, to maintain standards and ensure the delivery of a critical diagnostic capability.
• Undertake general laboratory duties such as the disposal of waste, equipment maintenance, stock control and ensuring a safe working environment.
• Ensure all work is undertaken in accordance with safety and ISO15189 quality requirements and complete any training requirements as required for this post.
• Participate in out of hours rota to provide increased testing capacity when required.

As Laboratory Safety Officer the post holder will have delegated authority for the supervision and management of laboratory safety, ensuring compliance with required standards, policies, regulation and legislation. This will include review and authorisation of laboratory policies, protocols and safety documentation.

The Post Holder Will Also:

• Fulfil the role of training officer, overseeing the co-ordination and delivery of training activities within the department, ensuring the needs of HCPC registered and non-registered team members are met, and that both HCPC and UKHSA standards and policies are complied with.
• Contribute to the design and scheduling of training courses to other UKHSA teams and external scientists as required.
• Assist in the evaluation, validation and implementation of diagnostic assays as required to meet the needs of the testing service.
• Assist in the adaptation, evaluation and validation of technologies compatible with high throughput testing to enhance the facility’s capabilities and to ensure the project area works to a high scientific standard.
• Perform a range of diagnostic assays and techniques as required to meet the needs of testing provision within UKHSA. This will include diagnostic testing with result validation and sub-contracted testing for research activities.
• Participate in out of hour testing rotas to ensure provision of sufficient testing capacity during outbreaks and/or incident response.
• Line manage junior team members, and ensure effective prioritisation, co-ordination and supervision of work.
• Deputise as appropriate for senior staff and act as head BMS in the absence of the facility manager.
• Supply data to agreed timescales and as required by project contracts and service level agreements.
• Undertake general laboratory duties including disposal of waste, equipment maintenance, stock control and ensuring a safe working environment.
• Maintain HCPC registration as a condition of employment.
• Fulfil all training requirements as required for the post, including subsequent maintenance of required competencies.
• Maintain high professional standards by continual professional development keeping up to date with advances in medical microbiology.
• Ensure all work is undertaken in accordance with the UKHSA’s Code of Safety Practice and to work within ISO15189 quality standards.
• Ensure health, safety and welfare are afforded priority and demonstrate a commitment to health, safety and welfare of self, staff and visitors and comply with relevant UKHSA health and safety policies at all times.
• Notify accidents, near misses, dangerous situations and shortcomings in health and safety via the appropriate management structure.
• Escalate risks that cannot be controlled to the Facility Manager.
• Fully engage with the performance process, including objective setting and preparing for performance conversations, as described on the UKHSA intranet.
• Fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and Behaviours and the Civil Service Code.
• Comply with all UKHSA policy and procedures.
• Perform any other duties required by the line manager commensurate with grade