Porton (Scientific Campus)

Job Summary

The Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory (RIPL) provides a front-line diagnostic service for the detection of Viral Haemorrhagic Fever viruses (Ebola, Lassa, Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever Marburg), Arboviruses, Rickettsiae, and a range of Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (ACDP) Hazard Group 3 bacteria including Bacillus anthracis and Francisella tularensis. RIPL is also the provider of the Leptospira acute diagnostic service and the Lyme disease specialist unit diagnostic service.

We are UKAS ISO15189 accredited and hold approval to provide Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) registration and Virology specialist portfolios. The role is for an HCPC registered specialist Biomedical Scientist to provide expert technical support for the specialist diagnostic laboratory work undertaken within RIPL in accordance with UKHSA and laboratory policies and procedures with particular focus on areas of serological diagnosis by ELISA and IFA and molecular identification using real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).

Job Description

• Undertake a range of diagnostic assays and techniques as required to meet the needs of the RIPL service provision, including Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA) and real-time PCR, and in line with relevant accreditation schemes, such as ISO15189.
• Oversee an area of the laboratory with support from senior staff in the department, including delivery of training, maintaining quality processes, management of reagents and consumables, troubleshooting of assays, non-conformance investigation and root cause analysis, and identifying trends and escalating to senior management.
• Prioritise, co-ordinate, and supervise the workload of a team of staff within an area of the laboratory for completion of diagnostic testing daily, including undertaking of 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 the RIPL on-call rota to provide 24/7 cover.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

• Work independently and within a team to perform a range of diagnostic assays and techniques as required to meet the needs of the RIPL service provision, including ELISA, IFA and real-time PCR, and in line with relevant accreditation schemes, such as ISO15189.
• Perform required work and procedures at containment level 3, including inactivation and extraction for PCR and microbiological analysis of environmental samples.
• Oversee an area of the laboratory with support from senior staff in the department.
• Play a leading role in the delivery of training for specific areas of the laboratory.
• Take responsibility for maintaining quality processes according to ISO15189 for across specific areas of the laboratory, including, stock control, management and acceptance of reagents and consumables, organising of engineers, troubleshooting of assays, non-conformance investigation and root cause analysis, and identifying trends and escalating to senior management.
• Assist in the identification, evaluation and adaptation of new technologies and diagnostic tests to enhance the laboratories capabilities and to ensure the project area works to a high scientific standard.
• Supervise the workload of a team of staff within an area of the laboratory, prioritising, co-ordinating and organising investigations.
• Ensuring investigations meet agreed timescales required by RIPL service level agreement and escalating in the event of delays.
• Undertake general laboratory duties including housekeeping, disposal of waste, equipment maintenance, stock control and ensuring a safe working environment.
• Undergo training requirements as required for the post.
• Participate in the RIPL on-call rota to provide 24/7 cover.
• Ensure all work is undertaken in accordance with safety and ISO15189 quality requirements and complete any training requirements as required for this post.
• To perform any other duties required by the line manager commensurate with grade.
• Deputise as appropriate for senior staff.
• To maintain HCPC registration as a condition of employment.
• To maintain high professional standards by continual professional development keeping up to date with advances in medical microbiology.
• To maintain a positive attitude to the work of the laboratory and other members of the team.
• Promote a culture of inclusion and belonging by actively contributing to a workplace where diverse perspectives are valued and respected.
• To ensure health, safety and welfare are afforded priority and to demonstrate commitment to health, safety and welfare of self, staff and visitors and comply with relevant UKHSA health and safety policies at all times.
• To escalate risks that cannot be controlled to senior management team.
• To notify accidents, near misses, dangerous situations and shortcomings in health and safety via the appropriate management structure.
• To report any personal sickness (during and after such an event) that may have potentially been caused by or may impact upon work, in line with the UKHSA Sickness Absence management policy.