Biomedical Scientist Team Manager

Job summary

The Microbiology laboratory at Cambridge provides services to Addenbrooke’s, Royal Papworth, and the E&N Herts Hospitals, as well as other NHS Laboratories in the surrounding district. The laboratory is committed to active research and epidemiological interests and works to UKAS ISO 15189 standards. It also has strong teaching interests. Addenbrooke’s Hospital, located on the outskirts of the university city of Cambridge, is one of the top hospitals in the UK and a thriving NHS Foundation Trust. It is closely associated with leading educational providers including the University of Cambridge, and is a major centre for biomedical research and education.

You will be responsible for supervising bench work of a team within the laboratory, which includes processing of microbiological specimens and related tasks such as isolation, identification, interpretation and reporting of results in accordance with agreed policies and standard operating procedures.

As a member of the middle management team, you will take a specialised lead role at senior BMS level within the department. This may include quality, health and safety, IT, CL3, training, or expertise in a specialized area of microbiology such as mycology or parasitology.

 

Location

This is a lab-based role that will be located at Cambridge, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, CB2 0QQ.

*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available. *

 

Job description

• As the Biomedical Scientist Team Manager, your main responsibilities will include:
• Advising staff regarding technical difficulties.
• Participating in implementing and suggesting changes to work practices and procedures.
• Selection of appropriate test profiles for samples received according to agreed protocols.
• Analysis of cultures, determination of antibiotic susceptibility and biomedical identification of micro-organisms.
• Performance of immunological and other assays to investigate microbial infection and management of therapeutic agents.
• Screening and interpreting test results (including those from regional specialties within the hospitals served) and communicating findings to senior colleagues and medical microbiology staff.
• Technical validation of reports for clinical authorisation.
• Under strict protocols authorisation of reports for release to other departments, wards, general practitioners, and other customers.
• Participating in provision of out of hours on-call service (lone working).
• Participating in Senior BMS rotation through all sections of the department.
• Please see the attached job description for the full list of duties and responsibilities.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. You are expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.

 

Person specification

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1250 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:

Essential Criteria:

• FIBMS or equivalent
• Maintains professional competence in biomedical sciences.
• Understands quality assurance principles and procedures.
• Knows and understands laboratory safety requirements and procedures.
• Relevant experience of working in a microbiology laboratory
• Registered to HCPC  

Desirable Criteria:

• Relevant management training and qualification to certification level
• CPD registration and certification
• Evidence of using technical experience to assess new and existing systems and initiate change in laboratory practice.  

 

Benefits

• 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 average employer contribution of 27%
• Range of health and wellbeing support

Any move to UKHSA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at Childcare Choices , 30 Hours Free Childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and More , Help with Costs , GOV.UK

 

Things you need to know

Selection process details:

Stage 1 – Application & Sift

You will be required to complete an application form and a statement of suitability of up to 1250 words. This will be assessed in line with the advertised essential criteria – please do provide evidence of how you meet this.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.

 

Stage 2 - Interview

This will involve an interview either face to face or by video. 

As part of the process, candidates will be invited to interview which will involve an in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification.

Please note, as part of the interview process, you may be asked to prepare and deliver a presentation or take a test.

 

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: Friday 27th March 2024 at 23:55. unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Please note the above date could be subject to change. 

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.

 

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

For posts on UKHSA Civil Service terms and conditions, new entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. For existing Civil Servants and roles advertised across government, the rules of transfer apply, i.e., level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive a 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest. 

This role is to be appointed under Civil Service Terms & Conditions.

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).