Healthcare Scientist

The Food, Water and Environmental Microbiology Services (FWEMS) Laboratories are specialist microbiology laboratories within the UKHSA. Based in 3 sites across the country, the laboratories are geographically well placed to work with local authorities to protect the public from health threats posed by contaminated food, water and the environment. The Porton FWEMS Laboratory provides a microbiology testing and advisory service to Local Authorities, Port Health Authorities, hospitals and commercial clients across the south and west of England. The laboratory is accredited to ISO 17025 and is recognised as an Official Laboratory for the microbiological examination of food and foodstuffs within the EU.

Main duties of the job: The post holder will provide a technical service to local authorities (LAs) and commercial clients for the diagnostic testing of Food, Water and Environmental samples as an aid to the investigation of outbreaks, food poisoning and routine control. They will perform basic and more complex laboratory investigations and be required to supervise and manage staff in sections of the laboratory. The post holder will also approve test reports. There will be an active involvement in the laboratory's Quality System, including leading and performing audits; and Health and Safety arrangements including working within Containment Level 3 facilities. An active involvement in the training of FW&E staff will also be expected. The post holder will perform a range of advanced technical activities and provide highly specialist advice to other professionals and customers. They will supervise the FW&E Microbiology laboratory and deputise for the Unit Head and/or Laboratory Manager in their absence. The post holder will also be eligible to act as a Food Examiner. Specific requirements of the advertised role can be found in the Appendix. The post holder will develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical, internal, and external to UKHSA.

Service Delivery

• Supervise the day-to-day working of the technical staff, ensuring a high standard of work is maintained and all staff adhere to written procedures.
• Participate in the provision of an analytical microbiology service for food, water, and environmental samples.
• Deputise for the Unit Head and/or Laboratory Manager.
• Oversee all aspects of sample reception and complete pre-analysis processing of samples received in the laboratory, ensuring samples are valid and tested appropriately.
• Use specialist FW&E microbiology skills to interpret results in line with appropriate guidelines.
• Be competent to work with samples that occasionally contain higher risk pathogens such as Escherichia coli O157, using appropriate containment conditions and protection systems.
• Ensure important or unusual results are drawn to the attention of senior staff and that timely remedial action is performed because of complaints or anomalies.
• Act as Food Examiner in the laboratory.
• Assist in the management of outbreaks, ensuring adequate resources are available to carry out the necessary work.
• Liaise with medical, scientific and other staff of UKHSA/NHS laboratories in all matters of common interest.
• Represent the laboratory at meetings and on committees as appropriate.

Customer Relationships

• Respond to requests and communicate accurately, sensitive information and complex results to customers, including interpretation and reporting written and verbal results.

Quality Management Systems

• Participate in activities necessary for the maintenance and development of the Quality System in accordance with UKAS requirements.
• Support the laboratory's accreditation to ISO 17025 and ensure compliance with UKAS.
• Assist the Quality Manager in ensuring good working practices and in maintaining a high standard of work especially with respect to Internal Control and External Quality Assessment schemes.
• Assist and take a lead role in regular audits of departmental procedures in support of the Quality Manager.

Asset Management

• Ensure efficient running and contribute to routine maintenance of all equipment, which will include high-cost, complex equipment requiring calibration and regular maintenance.
• Be responsible for the maintenance of stocks of reagents and consumables, ensuring that they are received, stored, verified and used appropriately.

Management

• Participate in the education and training of other FW&E staff within the laboratory, including performance reviews, Personal Development Plans and performance management, and ensure the maintenance of training policies, procedures, and records.

Strategy, Policy and Service Development

• Assist the Unit Head and Laboratory Manager in determining the long-term development of FW&E services.
• Support the implementation of new methods and technologies into the laboratory to maximise quality and efficiency of testing.
• Support and participate in FW&E surveys, trials, and research work and projects in collaboration with other senior staff of the FWEMS network.
• Support appropriate income generation activities for the laboratory, in accordance with the National FWEMS objectives.

Security/Health and Safety

• Ensure confidentiality and conformity to the requirements of the Data Protection Act, Caldicott principles and the Laboratory Information Systems & Technology Security policy.
• Ensure that health and safety are afforded priority and demonstrate commitment to health, safety and welfare of self, staff and visitors.
• Ensure attendance of self and managed staff on safety training courses as required in the UKHSA Health and Safety Training Policy and other safety policies as appropriate.
• Agree to implement safety objectives and ensure that a Laboratory/Office Safety Code is implemented.
• Ensure that risk assessments are implemented and maintained and report risks that cannot be controlled to the Laboratory Manager.
• Notify accidents, near misses, dangerous situations and shortcomings in health and safety via the appropriate management structure.

Other Duties

• Act as a member of the Management Team.
• Assist at other sites within the FW&E Network and at sites outside the laboratories including the provision of training, advice and sampling that require special skills and training.
• Perform other duties as directed by the Lead FW&E Scientist, Unit Head or Laboratory Manager, Food, Water & Environmental Microbiology Network within the framework of the job summary.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

Post this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

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 (CTC) Counter-Terrorist Check. When based at or Scientific Campus, 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.

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.

If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms. Please be aware that the salary is based on the office location.