Biomedical Scientist Trainee

We have two exciting opportunities to join the Reference Laboratories Colindale (RLC), Bacteriology Reference Department (BRD) and the Virus Reference Department (VRD) are national and international reference centre’s for a wide range of bacterial and viral infections. We receive clinical samples and/or bacterial/viral isolates from public health departments, National Health Service and commercial laboratories across the UK and internationally for specialist testing, characterisation and susceptibility testing. During 2012/13 more than 500,000 reference and surveillance specimens were investigated in BRD and VRD which reflects the value of BRD and VRD services to clinicians, microbiologists, virologists, consultants in communicable disease control, and UKHSA Surveillance colleagues.
We have two exciting training posts in the Bacteriology Reference Department and the Virus Reference Department for a HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist who undertook their IBMS Competence Portfolio/undergraduate training in UKHSA Colindale. The role will involve three-month rotations in a selection of units within BRD or VRD and one three-month project within BRD or VRD. The training will also include attendance and completion of a MSc in Biomedical Science (Medical Microbiology) at Queen Mary’s, University of London (QMUL).
UKHSA Colindale – On-Site

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

Working Pattern – Full Time, The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
+ To perform laboratory tests and procedures applicable to the training position HCPC registered trainee biomedical scientist.
+ To attend the MSc course and complete studies
+ To maintain equipment, including calibration and safety checks.
+ To facilitate the day to day running of the laboratory by ensuring the availability of stocks and reagents
+ To assist in the instruction and training of other staff and visitors, and to ensure compliance with safety and quality systems.
+ Any other duties within the framework of the job summary
The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.
Please see job description attached for full list of duties and competencies associated with the post., This competition will involve an interview 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.
Your Statement of Suitability should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria (outlined in the person specification section).
You will also be asked to provide information within the ‘Employer/ Activity history’ section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history.
The competency based framework will be used to assess and recruit the most suitable candidate. The following behaviours will be used at the interview:
+ Technical Skills
+ Strengths, Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants)
Nationality requirements
Appointments to roles within UKHSA will be made in accordance with the Civil Service nationality rules. These can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules This job is broadly open to the following groups:
+ UK nationals
+ Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
+ Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
+ Nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
+ Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
+ Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
+ Certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles.
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.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.
Security clearance level requirement
Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard. People working with government assets must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard checks.
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.
Please Note
This role is to be appointed under Civil Service Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&C’s are found https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/
Are you already a civil servant, or employed by a Civil Service Commission accredited public body? Please state home department on your application form.
Do you meet the nationality requirements for this post? https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/
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 (opens in new window) 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
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 500 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the essential criteria (for full details of all essential criteria please refer to the attached job description):
Essential
+ Bachelor of Biomedical Science or equivalent
+ HCPC Registration as a Biomedical Scientist before or on commencement of employment.
+ IBMS Certificate of Competence completion at UKHSA Colindale
Desirable
+ Experience in Serology and Molecular biology techniques.
+ Knowledge of administrative procedures, project management or information analysis
+ Basic knowledge of project principles
Please ensure that your statement of suitability does not contain any personal identifiers such as Name, Gender, Location, Marital Status, Sexual Orientation or Religion. The UKHSA operates a fair and open recruitment policy.

Alongside your salary of £29,737, UK Health Security Agency contributes £8,028 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
+ 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%