Microbiology Technical Officer

NHS; Stockport; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 30,000

Job description

We are looking to appoint a highly enthusiastic individual, educated to higher certificate (HNC) or above in a scientific subject. It is essential that a significant part of this incorporates microbiology or biology. It is also essential to have a broad knowledge of microbiological, environmental and analytical techniques, preferably with some experience of cleanroom monitoring and Pharmaceutical analysis. The successful candidate will have excellent problem solving skills and will be able to show initiative.

Quality Control North West is part of Stockport Foundation Trust and is an NHS regional specialty department responsible for providing pharmaceutical quality control services to NHS and non-NHS clients. The laboratories at Stockport are well equipped and advanced in analytical instrumentation and are accredited to ISO 17025 by UKAS.

Main duties of the job

A large proportion of this role will involve environmental monitoring of cleanrooms at customer sites. This involves manual handling with bulky equipment such as air samplers and particle counters. It is essential that the successful candidate has a full, clean driving licence and is willing to drive a company van.

The role will also incorporate some laboratory based Environmental and Pharmaceutical Microbiological testing, including TVC determination, Preservative Efficacy testing, LAL testing and enumeration/ identification of plates.

About us

We hold a unique position in the Stockport community as the provider of healthcare and we are one of its largest employers.

Our mission is to make a difference every day. Our values are that we care, we respect, and we listen.

We believe that the best organisations are those that reflect the communities they serve. We are therefore seeking to improve the diversity of our workforce to make it truly representative of our local population.

We actively encourage applications irrespective of race, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage & civil partnership, or pregnancy or maternity. Recognising those communities that are underrepresented within our workforce, we would particularly welcome applications from you.

We recognise that flexible working is important. We take requests for flexible working seriously, consider any request we receive and try to work with you, so we can explore if your request may fit with the needs of the service.

The salary for the role is only one part of the excellent package of benefits we offer to you:

• Between 27-33 days of annual leave plus bank holidays
• Salary sacrifice schemes for lease cars, home electronics and more, to make your salary go further
• Cycle to work scheme
• Salary finance - for loans, savings, budget planning and tips on managing debt
• Stockport Credit Union- for local financial advice

Job responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• To perform a range of technical and support work for in the section including site testing, processing of samples for TVC determination, Preservative Efficacy testing, LAL testing and enumeration/ identification of plates using established procedures.
• To maintain a high quality of work within the Department and perform quality control procedures in accordance with the Quality System.
• To submit test results as required for the purpose of internal and National Quality Control Schemes.
• Disposal of laboratory waste in accordance with protocols.

Communications

• To communicate with QCNW staff, staff from within the Trust and other users of the QCNW service.

Responsibility for Patient Care

• To help ensure safety and efficacy in pharmaceutical products prepared in hospitals throughout the North West of England.

Planning and organising

• To adhere to work scheduling as directed.

Responsibilities for Physical and / or Financial Resources

• To help supervise laboratory assistants to ensure that established laboratory protocols are followed.
• To operate set up and check specialised laboratory equipment for correct performance.
• To maintain stocks of reagents and consumables required for analytical work.
• To work as economically as is practicable at all times.

Responsibility for Policy and Service Development and Implementation

• To contribute to improvements in LEAN work practices.
• To contribute to Health and Safety improvements within the laboratories.

Responsibilities for Human Resources and Leadership

• To assist Laboratory Assistants in the performance of their duties, according to established protocols.

Responsibilities for Teaching and Training

• To assist in the training and development of laboratory assistants within the QCNW laboratory.

Responsibilities for data and information resources

• To assist in data processing as required.

Research, Development and Audit

• To assist in internal audit as required.

Physical Skills and Effort

• Some light lifting and moving duties are included.
• VDU work.

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and promote safeguarding by implementing the Trusts policies and procedures, acting promptly on concerns, communicating effectively and sharing information appropriately.

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

• Higher National Certificate incorporating combined or pharmaceutical sciences.
• Scientific Degree incorporating biological sciences.
• Analytical specialisation.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of broad range of microbiological technique.
• Knowledge of principles of GLP, laboratory H&S and COSHH.
• Knowledge of broad range of analytical and environmental techniques.
• Relevant analytical and microbiological experience during training.
• Experience of clean room monitoring.
• Work in a laboratory operating to similar standards of GLP/UKAS.
• Familiarity with pharmacopoeias.

Skills & Abilities

• Excellent microbiological practical skills.
• Numeracy.
• Good team worker.
• Ability to work without direct supervision.
• Able to use environmental monitoring equipment.
• Time Management.

Work Related Circumstances

• Able to work flexibly to the requirements of clients.
• Willingness to work offsite.
• Flexible to cover occasional out of hours working.
• Able to use own car for off site work.

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.

£26,530 to £29,114 a year per annum pro rata.