Regional Head of Laboratory Operations

The UKHSA Northwest Public Health Laboratory is an integral part of the Manchester Medical Microbiology Partnership. The Manchester Medical Microbiology Partnership (MMMP) is a collaboration between Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CMFT) and UKHSA.

The objective of this partnership is to provide Central and South Manchester with a unified Microbiology Service embracing all aspects of clinical and public health microbiology.

The Regional Head of Laboratory Operations UKHSA has responsibility for the efficient and effective operational management of the Regional UKHSA Laboratory and MMMP. This is done in conjunction with the Laboratory Clinical Services Director, MMMP, the Lead Public Health Microbiologist and the Laboratory Management team and with the Clinical Director and Directorate Manager for the Directorate of Laboratory.

There are Laboratory Manager posts across the Laboratory including Bacteriology MRI; Virology MRI who are responsible for day-to-day operational management for the diagnostic service, for staff, finance, safety, and quality in their departments.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will:

• Provide vision, leadership and direction to the Public Health Laboratory Northwest.
• Provide microbiology support to the Northwest Health Protection Teams and Local Authorities, as well as provide expert microbiology advice during outbreaks and incidents of communicable disease.
• Have overall responsibility for the efficient and effective operational management of the UKHSA Laboratory which is done in conjunction with the CPHI for the Northwest Clinical Head of Service UKHSA Manchester.
• Take a leading role in support of UKHSA activities across the Region.
• Participate in and support the provision of a comprehensive diagnostic and advisory service to local clinicians and other users of the Laboratory.
• Have regular site visits and consultations with key stakeholders across the Northwest which will form a key component of the job.
• Have a role in teaching and training, audit, surveillance, and research.
• In partnership with the senior teams the postholder will provide vision, leadership and direction to the Public Health Laboratories and to lead in strategic development, including identification, prioritisation of, and support for specific service developments and research areas.
• Be the budget holder for the public health laboratories, taking primary responsibility for the financial management of the services.

About us

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.

Job responsibilities

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Provide microbiology support to MMMP, Northwest Health Protection Teams and Local Authorities.
• Provide expert microbiology advice during outbreaks and incidents of communicable disease.
• Contribute to development of regional guidelines and policies.
• Provide community and health care associated infection surveillance data.

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.

This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your Qualifications, knowledge and experience and/or skills and capabilities outlined in the essential criteria.

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the 10 essential criteria listed, and this will be in the form of a:

• Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)

Up to 1500-word Statement of Suitability.

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

Please note that you will only be assessed on the essential criteria listed within the advert and not all those listed in the job description.

The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.

Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

• Meets all essential criteria

Meets some essential criteria.

Piles Meets all essential criteria and Meets some essential criteria will be moved through to the shortlisting stage.

Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:

• State registration with HCPC as a Biomedical Scientist.

Please do not exceed 1500 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number. If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview. Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered.

Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview (competency based)

You will be invited to a (single) remote interview.

Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Location

This role is being offered as office/lab based at our site in Manchester.

If based at one of our labs, 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.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Person Specification

• State registration with HCPC as a Biomedical Scientist.
• MSc in Biomedical Science, Microbiology or Biological Sciences.
• Significant postgraduate practical, technical and theoretical experience in Medical Microbiology and Medical Laboratory Sciences.
• Extensive knowledge and expertise in various managerial fields, including finance, HR, business, project management, planning, leadership, procurement etc., gained by lengthy experience.
• In-depth working knowledge and competency in laboratory bench areas, as appropriate.
• An understanding of microbiology and its application in clinical practice and public health.
• Evidence of using technical experience to assess new and existing systems and processes to initiate change in laboratory.
• Ability to analyse and interpret complex facts and situations, leading to appropriate judgements and decisions.
• Ability to motivate others, encourage teamwork, delegate, get the best out of people and ensure that all staff reach their full potential, facilitating the development of staff.
• Thorough knowledge of laboratory health and safety legislation and practice.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.

£74,290 to £85,601 a year Per annum, pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

11 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working