Current jobs related to Section Head - Edgware - UK Civil Service

Job summary

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is seeking a Section Head and Lead Scientist for the Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) Reference Service, a pivotal role within the Bacteriology Reference Department. This position offers a unique opportunity to provide managerial, scientific, and professional leadership, contributing significantly to public health by supporting UKHSA�s surveillance programs. These programs are vital in detecting infectious diseases, characterizing microbial pathogens, and supporting effective treatments and interventions. Your work will be crucial in reducing the overall public health burden associated with bacterial STIs.

Operating within the Specialised Microbiology and Laboratories Directorate, the Bacteriology Reference Department is integral to the wider UKHSA structure, delivering safe, effective, efficient, and innovative laboratory microbiology services. As Section Head and Lead Scientist, you will play a critical role in fulfilling UKHSA�s primary function of protecting public health.

In this role, you will lead and manage the Bacterial STI Reference Service, ensuring that service delivery meets the highest standards in science, quality, clinical and information governance, and safety. You will drive scientific innovation within the service, ensuring that the evidence base for interventions, outbreak prevention, and infectious disease surveillance remains world leading.

Job description

As the Section Head and Lead Scientist for the Bacterial STI Reference Service within the UKHSA�s Bacteriology Reference Department, your role encompasses multifaceted responsibilities aimed at ensuring the efficient and effective delivery of reference services while upholding stringent quality and governance standards.�

You will provide overarching management, scientific, and professional leadership to the Bacterial STI Reference Service, ensuring the safe delivery of services in adherence to Quality (ISO15189) and governance standards, as well as compliance with Health and Safety policies and procedures, all within budget and on time. A critical aspect of your role involves ensuring the high-quality validation of clinical reports and collaborating closely with the staff of BRD and relevant consultant medical microbiologists to provide input into clinical interpretation and ensure the prompt and accurate delivery of reference services.

You will review services regularly to ensure alignment with public health requirements and actively encourage innovations that enhance the effectiveness of the laboratory's work. Moreover, you will actively seek income generation opportunities, such as grants or commercial sources, for evaluating new assays and technologies. Your responsibilities extend to leading the analysis of data generated in studies, maintaining accurate records of evaluations, and presenting findings at scientific meetings. Additionally, you will be responsible for preparing reports for commercial customers and papers for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

As part of your managerial duties, you will participate in Senior Management Team meetings, support the career and professional development of staff within the team, and ensure the provision of a safe working environment for all staff and visitors. In your clinical/professional capacity, you will ensure robust arrangements for Clinical Governance, work with Consultant Medical Microbiologists to provide input into clinical interpretation and ensure suitable cross-cover for competent validation of clinical reports.

Your role also involves promoting the personal and professional development of staff, supervising postgraduate research projects, and contributing to the maintenance of laboratory accreditation and quality management systems. Additionally, you will contribute to the development of information technology systems and databases for efficient service delivery, liaise with the LIMS team on the introduction of new tests, and ensure adherence to health and safety protocols.

Ultimately, your role is pivotal in driving the success and effectiveness of the Bacterial STI Reference Service, and you will be expected to carry out any other duties reasonably required by the directorate.

For a full list of the main duties and responsibilities of the role, please refer to the attached Job Description.

Person specification

Essential criteria:

You will be assessed on the below 5 essential criteria, which have been selected from the job description. For a full list of essential and desirable criteria, please see the attached job description.

Relevant professional qualification: either full registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as Clinical or Biomedical Scientist, or an ACS Certificate of Attainment, or a demonstrable plan to achieve registration within 12 months.PhD in microbiology or a related disciplineFamiliarity with diverse molecular diagnostic platformsExperience working within the STI fieldDemonstrable experience of running services accredited to ISO 15189 standard

Benefits

Learning and development tailored to your roleAn environment with flexible working optionsA culture encouraging inclusion and diversityA with an average employer contribution of 27%

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