JOB SUMMARY

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.

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 post holder 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.

JOB DESCRIPTION

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.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential criteria - you will be assessed on the below 10 essential criteria, which have been selected from the Job Description.

• 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

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
• Meets no 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.

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)
• 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

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