JOB SUMMARY

The Public Health Laboratory in Birmingham is a UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) microbiology laboratory and is in partnership with University Hospitals Birmingham Trust (UHB).
The microbiology partnership provides comprehensive microbiology services and specialist services to Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital in Sutton Coldfield, Solihull Hospital and general practitioners throughout the area.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Main Responsibilities

• Manage the provision of an efficient and timely Clinical Bacteriology department and monitor the service against the standards agreed with users.
• Lead the introduction, maintenance and improvement of methodologies and innovations within the bacteriology department in cooperation with the Service Development and Clinical Scientists and working with the Consultant Microbiologist and clinical leads to develop the service according to clinical need.
• Review the performance and appropriateness of laboratory methods at regular intervals ensuring technical standards are maintained.
• Take a lead role in advising staff regarding technical difficulties.
• Advise external service users regarding Clinical Bacteriology technical issues.
• Validate and authorise reports as required.
• To be responsible for analysis of biological samples involving complex/specialist investigations.
• Lead in the evaluation and assessment of new equipment and consumable items.
• Actively participate as a member of the Bacteriology Technical committee.
• Lead in the production, review and update of Standard Operating procedures for the Clinical Bacteriology department.
• Participate in and support the R&D activities within the laboratory and UKHSA.
• Manage the surveillance and epidemiological activity within Clinical Bacteriology department.
• Maintain professional competence and be aware of relevant developments in microbiology and other biomedical sciences.
• To maintain the physical skills and knowledge obtained through practice to work to support the working of the laboratory as a whole when required.
• Perform any other duties required by the line manager commensurate with the grade.

Acute Bacteriology

• Delegated responsibility to lead the day-to-day management of the work of the Clinical Bacteriology department in cooperation with the Laboratory Manager.
• Provides professional leadership for members of staff for whom s/he is accountable, leading staff by example and in a manner which will encourage the development of a positive attitude by each member.
• Delegated responsibility for management of Clinical bacteriology department Out of Hours service.
• Close liaison with bacteriology service development and Clinical scientists

Public Health

• Delegated responsibility to lead the day-to-day management and coordinate the diagnostic investigation of outbreaks of infection in cooperation with the Laboratory Manager and Consultant staff.
• Close liaison with Epidemiology and Bioinformatics Analyst and all departmental team managers

Please see the attached job description for the full list of duties and responsibilities.

STAGE 1: APPLICATION & SIFT

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 28 essential criteria that have been selected from the job description, and this will be in the form of a:

• Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• 1500 word Statement of Suitability.

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

Only those meeting all essential criteria will be taken through to shortlisting.

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

• Demonstrate extensive post-registration experience in a discipline within Microbiology.
• Knows and understands laboratory safety requirements and procedures.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment.
Please do not exceed 1500 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.
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

Main Responsibilities

• Manage the provision of an efficient and timely Clinical Bacteriology department and monitor the service against the standards agreed with users.
• Lead the introduction, maintenance and improvement of methodologies and innovations within the bacteriology department in cooperation with the Service Development and Clinical Scientists and working with the Consultant Microbiologist and clinical leads to develop the service according to clinical need.
• Review the performance and appropriateness of laboratory methods at regular intervals ensuring technical standards are maintained.
• Take a lead role in advising staff regarding technical difficulties.
• Advise external service users regarding Clinical Bacteriology technical issues.
• Validate and authorise reports as required.
• To be responsible for analysis of biological samples involving complex/specialist investigations.
• Lead in the evaluation and assessment of new equipment and consumable items.
• Actively participate as a member of the Bacteriology Technical committee.
• Lead in the production, review and update of Standard Operating procedures for the Clinical Bacteriology department.
• Participate in and support the R&D activities within the laboratory and UKHSA.
• Manage the surveillance and epidemiological activity within Clinical Bacteriology department.
• Maintain professional competence and be aware of relevant developments in microbiology and other biomedical sciences.
• To maintain the physical skills and knowledge obtained through practice to work to support the working of the laboratory as a whole when required.
• Perform any other duties required by the line manager commensurate with the grade