Microbiology/Virology SHYPS Network Quality Lead

Please note that contact with applicants will usually be by email, and so please check all of your mail folders regularly (unfortunately some providers filter our messages into junk mail folders).

• We are KIND
• We are OPEN
• We pursue EXCELLENCE

We are looking for applications from people who share our values to help make us a valued and trusted partner within our care system, that delivers safe effective care to our local population.

Job overview

This Network Quality Lead Senior Biomedical Scientist position involves working across all of our sites in Microbiology and Virology departments at Hull and York with occasional visits to Scarborough.

The post holder will have delegated responsibility for the day-to-day operational matters associated with the management of our Quality Management System across the SHYPS Microbiology and Virology network. This includes Hull Microbiology, Virology and Molecular, York Microbiology, Serology and Molecular and Scarborough Microbiology, Serology and Molecular. The post holder will rotate through all these areas on a weekly basis except Scarborough where ad-hoc visits are sufficient but essential.

This work involves an in-depth understanding of the use of microbiological microscopy and culture techniques, automated and manual serological analysis as well as molecular methodology.

The post holder will participate in the supervision, training and development of subordinate and non-subordinate staff, including Senior Biomedical Scientists, Biomedical Scientists, Trainee Biomedical Scientists, Associate Practitioners, Medical Laboratory Assistants and Clerical Officers/Administration Assistants as well as new staff, ensuring that the proficiency, competency, personal and professional standards of these groups are maintained in relation to all quality management systems. This includes the full use of Q Pulse and Datix and requires expert knowledge and experience in these systems.

Main duties of the job

• Ensure compliance with UKAS, HSE and CTSA standards across the network.
• Ensure all associated documentation complies with COSHH regulations and risk assessments in the handling of hazardous materials.
• Ensure all quality control are maintained according to departmental SOPs and departmental Quality Assurance Policy.
• Ensure all turnaround times are maintained according to departmental SOPs and departmental Quality Assurance Policy including Key Performance Indicators ensure efficient planning, prioritisation, and allocation of workload by co-ordinating activities of subordinate and non-subordinate staff including contingencies for sickness absence and annual leave in conjunction with those who have a responsibility and are involved in generating rosters.

Working for our organisation

Our benefits

We offer a range of benefits to support our staff including:

• Access to the NHS Pension Scheme, providing generous benefits upon retirement, as well as a lump sum and pension for dependants.
• 27 days holiday rising to 33 days (depending on NHS Trust service).
• A generous relocation package of up to 30% of salary (capped at £18k) to support with relocation expenses for hard to fill positions where relocation would be an expectation to undertake the role fully. If you would like to discuss a potential relocation package, please speak to the recruiting department/manager.
• A variety of different types of paid and unpaid leave covering emergency and planned leave.
• Confidential advice and support on personal, work, family and relationship issues, 24/7, from our Employee Assistance Programme.
• NHS Car Lease scheme and Cycle to Work scheme.
• An extensive range of learning and development opportunities.
• Discounts on restaurants, getaways, shopping, motoring, cinema and finance from a range of providers.

For further information on the fantastic range of benefits we offer please visit the Trust's dedicated Staff Benefits pages.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

A full description of the role is available in the attachment: job description.

Please note that if a high number of applications are received this advert may close early. You are advised to submit your application at the earliest opportunity.

Working for the Trust

Across our organisation, people are guided by values that were co-developed with staff: we are kind; we are open; and we pursue excellence.

Our values play into our ambition to develop a more diverse workforce, truly representative of our communities. We welcome applications from everyone, while working with our Staff Networks - including our Race Equality, LGBTQ+, Disability and Carers Networks - to increase the number of applications we receive from different backgrounds. If there is anything we can do to make our application process more accessible to you, please contact: yhs-tr.recruitment@nhs.net.

As part of seeking to become more inclusive, we will consider requests for flexible working from the start of your employment. It may not be suitable for every role, but we will try and be supportive where we can. We would encourage you to speak to the recruiting manager named within this advert to discuss any requirements you may have.

Armed Forces Friendly Employer

We are holders of the Gold Award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, which is helping actively promote SaBRE - Supporting Britain's Reservists and Employers. This means that we have made a statement of intent to support all Defence personnel, including with applications for employment.

Person specification

Education, Qualifications and Training

Essential criteria

• IBMS Specialist Portfolio in related discipline or equivalent.
• Registration with the HCPC.
• MSc or equivalent in related discipline.

Desirable criteria

• Any relevant further qualifications, e.g. quality management qualifications.

Experience and Knowledge Required

Essential criteria

• Minimum 5 years' experience at a BMS grade.
• Microbiology and/or Virology Laboratory background.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of IQC, IQA and EQA including the handling of exceptions.
• Production of SOPs, COSHH, risk assessments or other policies.
• Knowledge of UKAS 15189 standards.

Skills and Attributes

Essential criteria

• Ability to organise self and prioritise own workload.

Desirable criteria

• Leadership skills.
• Computer skills (use of databases, spreadsheets etc).

Please note that some of our substantive vacancies may be available on a smaller number of hours than advertised. If you would be interested in applying on this basis, we would encourage you to contact the appointing manager to enquire further.

DBS Checks

Please be aware that all new employees starting work with us will be charged for the cost of their DBS check if it is required for the role. The cost will be deducted from your salary either in 1 payment or over a six month period once you start employment. By applying you are agreeing to this undertaking. If you are successful you will be asked to confirm if you wish to pay in one amount or in instalments. The charges are currently £27.38 for a standard check and £55.38 for an enhanced check. The level of check will be determined by the post you are applying for.

Please note that Volunteers and Bank only staff will not be charged.

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) offers a confidential checking service for transgender applicants in accordance with the Gender Recognition Act 2004. This is known as the sensitive applications route, and is available for all levels of DBS check - basic, standard and enhanced.

The sensitive applications route gives transgender applicants the choice not to have any gender or name information disclosed on their DBS certificate that could reveal their previous identity. To contact the sensitive applications team, please telephone 0300 106 1452 or email sensitive@dbs.gov.uk.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Please note, the selection processes at York & Scarborough Teaching Hospitals are in place to ensure we recruit candidates with the right skills and values. We remain vigilant against candidates who misuse these tools to generate an application that doesn't accurately reflect their skills. You will be required to acknowledge that you are aware of this before submitting your application.

Agile and Flexible Working

We are committed to helping all staff balance their work with other commitments and have recently launched our new Agile and Flexible Working policy to support this, entitling all staff to request flexible working from day one - for all posts. We encourage you to speak to the recruiting manager named within this advert to discuss any requirements you may have.

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

All our employees have access to a free, confidential counselling and wellbeing support service. Our EAP is available 24/7, 365 days a year.

Relocation Package

The Trust offers a generous relocation package of up to 30% of salary (capped at £18k) to support with relocation expenses for hard to fill positions where relocation would be an expectation to undertake the role fully. If you would like to discuss relocation further, please speak to the recruiting manager at interview.

A bit more about us and the surrounding area

York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is situated in a fantastic part of the country that is home to two national parks, a beautiful coastline, and the city of York - consistently voted one of the best places to live in the UK. We provide a comprehensive range of acute hospital and specialist healthcare services for approximately 800,000 people living in and around York, North Yorkshire, North East Yorkshire and Ryedale - an area covering 3,400 square miles.

Our annual turnover is approaching £0.5bn. We manage eight hospital sites and have a workforce of around 10,000 staff working across our hospitals and in the community.

Sponsorship

If you require sponsorship to work in the UK, check you are eligible under the UKVI points based system online. Not all jobs we advertise are eligible for sponsorship.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

Application numbers

Please note that if a high number of applications are received this advert may close early. You are advised to submit your application at the earliest opportunity.

Documents to download

• SHYPS Quality Lead Microbiology and Virology (PDF, 664.5KB)
• Reasonable Adjustment Guidance (PDF, 232.6KB)
• Our Strategy at a glance 2018-2023 (PDF, 54.1KB)
• Guidance for Applicants (PDF, 798.8KB)
• Relocation Offer Information (PDF, 134.7KB)