Blood Safety Scientist (Epidemiology)

The United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is a system leader for health security; taking action internationally to strengthen global health security, providing trusted advice to government and the public and reducing inequalities in the way different communities experience and are impacted by infectious disease, environmental hazards, and other threats to health.
UKHSA's remit, as an agency with a global-to-local reach, is to protect the health of the nation from infectious diseases and other external threats to health. As the nation's expert national health security agency UKHSA will:
+ Prevent: anticipate threats to health and help build the nation's readiness, defences and health security
+ Detect: use cutting edge environmental and biological surveillance to proactively detect and monitor infectious diseases and threats to health
+ Analyse: use world-class science and data analytics to assess and continually monitor threats to health, identifying how best to control and mitigate the risks
+ Respond: take rapid, collaborative and effective actions nationally and locally to mitigate threats to health when they materialise
+ Lead: lead strong and sustainable global, national, regional and local partnerships designed to save lives, protect the nation from public health threats and reduce inequalities., We are looking for an enthusiastic scientist who will make a significant contribution to the surveillance of blood safety. You will have a major responsibility for the management and development of our electronic data systems and surveillance reports. The Blood Safety team are responsible for informing the safety of blood, tissues and organs in the UK and work across NHS Blood and Transplant and UKHSA within the Blood Safety, Hepatitis, STIs and HIV division. The post holder will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the scheme, collecting, processing and validating the data., The post-holder will develop and implement standardised data collection and analysis protocols, will identify data quality issues and facilitate their resolution. They will ensure that data are collected and processed in accordance with relevant policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs), and undertake regular assessments of data quality and completeness. The post-holder will undertake regular reporting of the data to deadlines including the monthly donation testing report and unit's Annual Review. Under the supervision of senior scientific staff, the post holder will regularly extract, collate and validate surveillance data-sets and carry out epidemiological analyses to monitor trends, geographic distribution and risk factors. They will contribute to the delivery of surveillance and policy reports and to peer-reviewed publications. The successful candidate will have a science degree and proven scientific work experience relevant to this position. The post-holder will also have, We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.
UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all., + Be responsible for collecting and processing and validating the data. This includes: liaising with data providers to help overcome any problems in reporting, referring to other scientific colleagues as necessary; following-up incomplete, inaccurate or missing surveillance data; ensuring data security is compliant with the required standard; assisting scientific colleagues in processes to reconcile the information collected; Liaising with the UKHSA Bloodborne Virus Unit (BBVU) and blood service confirmatory laboratories in order to reconcile records and ensure completeness of data.
+ Liaise with and seek feedback from stakeholders to ensure the scheme reporting reflects current blood service needs to underpin blood safety.
+ Update existing databases where required; plan and establish new electronic surveillance schemes where need arises; write or update queries and develop reports.
+ Ensure that all processes relating to database management are appropriately documented and up to date within the NHSBT/UKHSA Epidemiology unit, writing new procedures and informing colleagues as need arises.
+ Undertake regular reporting of the data to deadlines including the monthly blood donation testing report, the quarterly clinical group report, the unit annual Review and ad hoc specialist and complex analyses of quantitative and/or qualitative datasets which will require selection of the best option from a range of possible solutions.
+ Analyse and evaluate quantitative and qualitative data and research evidence from a range of sources to inform decision making.
+ Receive, interpret, provide and advise on complex epidemiological and statistical information about the epidemiology of donors to the UK blood services, Department of Health and Social Care and others.
Specialist Advice and Evaluation
+ Communicate effectively and diplomatically data, research and other specialist information with colleagues from own or other disciplines making judgements about the suitability of these data and providing an alternative where appropriate (e.g. in response to parliamentary questions). and present findings at local, national and international meetings and conferences.
+ Write and/or contribute to the Unit's Safe Supplies Annual Review, as well as peer-reviewed publications in scientific journals, on the epidemiology of and infections in donors.
Research and Development
+ Undertake literature reviews, evaluative research surveys, audits and other research as required.
Teaching and Training
+ Assist in teaching and training courses run at Colindale and outside, by producing presentation materials and assist in NHSBT/UKHSA Epidemiology Unit lectures and provide advice and support on reporting data to the surveillance schemes.
Other
+ Provide general scientific administrative support for the team when required, including monitoring of the Unit email box and coordination of the Unit Annual Review.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal / individual development plan. Attending internal / external training events.
Participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training.
KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
The post holder will develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical, internal and external to UKHSA. This will include;
Internal
+ Scientists and the Consultant in Epidemiology and Health Protection within the NHSBT/UKHSA Epidemiology Unit and with colleagues across the wider BSHSH and the CPH Group.
External
+ Data providers throughout the UK blood services and Republic of Ireland blood services (testing managers, clinical teams, reference laboratories, hospitals etc) to ensure data quality and timely reporting, and internal and external data users. External stakeholders include the Department of Health and Social Care, Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS), the Welsh Blood Service (WBS, Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service (NIBTS), the Ireland Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) and academic staff., This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your Qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and capabilities outlined in the essential criteria.
Stage 1: Application & Sift - Competency-based assessments
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on essential criteria, and this will be in the form of
+ a CV/ Application form ('Employer/ Activity history' section on the application)
+ an up to 1000 word Statement of Suitability.
This should outline how you consider your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.
The CV and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.
In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on: Experience in use of computers and database software packages for data management, handling, analysis and reporting eg MS Access
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview. Please do not exceed 1000 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview
You will be invited to a face to face interview.
Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview.
Interviews will be held the week commencing 10th June 2024. Please note, these dates are subject to change.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Face to Face interviews
If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview
Location information
UKHSA operates a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, averaged over a month) working at UKHSA's Colindale site.
Eligibility Criteria
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
Security Clearance Level Requirement
Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard.
Working for the Civil Service:
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.
It's important to note that there are currently exceptions to applications being considered if your conviction relates to any of the following:
+ life sentences
+ arson
+ sexual offences
+ hate and terror offences
Some departments will also consider the specific offence against the nature of the business, i.e., a conviction for fraud may rule you out for a finance role.
If you are interviewed for the post and do not meet the required threshold for the specified grade, your application may be assessed against a similar, lower grade role and you may be offered the post should one be available
Starting salary
Entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.
The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase.
Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.
For further details please refer to the Information Sheet - Starting Salaries & Benefits attachment .
IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ
This is a Non-Reserved post under the Civil Service Nationality Rules. To be eligible for employment in the UK Civil Service applicants must meet the Civil Service Nationality Rules (CSNRs) which operate independently of and additionally to the Immigration Rules. Applicants must also meet necessary security and vetting requirements, along with any other relevant pre-employment checks.
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) (opens in a new window)
+ 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
For more information on job nationality requirements and the right to work in the UK, see the Civil Service Nationality rules (opens in a new window) and the UK Visas and Immigration rules (opens in a new window)
For posts on UKHSA Civil Service terms and conditions, new entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. For existing Civil Servants and roles advertised across government, the rules of transfer apply, i.e., level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive a 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.
The Civil Service pay structure and progression is different from NHS Agenda for Change (AfC), most local authority pay grades and other systems that have annual pay increments. For further details, please refer to the Information Sheet- Starting Salaries & Benefits attachment.
For AfC or Medical/Dental posts, you must have the correct professional registration to be appointed. The pay will follow the AfC or Medical & Dental terms & conditions. You may be asked to provide evidence of previous service whilst we are conducting pre-employment checks to determine your starting salary.
For Temporary Appointments, if you are not currently a civil servant, you will take up the post on a Fixed Term appointment. If you are an existing Civil Servant, based outside of the UKHSA, you will take up the post as a loan. If you are an existing UKHSA member of staff, you will take up the post as either a level transfer or a temporary promotion as per the UKHSA's Pay policy.
Given the nature of the work of the UKHSA, as a Category 1 responder under the Civil Contingencies Act, you may be required in an emergency, if deemed a necessity, to redeploy to another role at short notice. You may also be required to work at any other location, within reasonable travelling distance of your permanent home address, in line with the provisions set out in your contract of employment.
Late Applications will unfortunately not be considered.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles (attached as a supporting document).
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email: [email protected] If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website here.
Reserve List - If more than the required number of suitable candidates pass the interview criteria, you may be kept on a reserve list for 12 months subject to your agreement. You may be contacted, in merit-order, if similar roles with closely matching essential criteria become available and the department choose to appoint from a reserve list.
Interview expenses will not be reimbursed.
UKHSA is required to check employment and/or education history covering three consecutive years. Please ensure you give details of at least two different referees, even if you were employed in one company for three years or more.
If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system. Please note, all communication regarding your application will be made via email, please ensure you check your junk/spam folders as emails are sometimes filtered there.
Any move to UKHSA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
Benefits of working at UKHSA include

experience of using computers and database software packages, as well as of data management, analysis and reporting. The post will involve presentations and the provision of training. The post-holder must have excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to work effectively and accurately both autonomously and within a team at both UKHSA and NHS Blood and Transplant (Colindale)., + Primary Degree in a suitable science subject or equivalent level qualification or significant experience of working at a similar level in specialist area
Knowledge and Experience
+ Scientific work experience relevant to the post
+ Experience in use of computers and database software packages for data management, handling, analysis and reporting eg MS Access
+ Ability to interpret and evaluate data
+ Experience of preparing scientific reports and presentations including high quality graphs and tables and written work.
+ Experience of using software packages for statistical analysis of data e.g. STATA, R
Skills and Capabilities
+ Able to work as a team member or independently and liaise with a wide range of external stakeholders
+ Ability to identify and solve day to day issues/problems
+ Able to maintain data protection and confidentiality
+ Have a clear and organised approach to work to meet deadlines
+ Able to communicate and document methods clearly and succinctly
Desirable criteria:
+ MSc in Epidemiology or allied discipline and / or equivalent or significant experience related to health information
+ Experience designing databases
+ Experience of epidemiology or public health
+ Working within the NHS, Public Health or Environmental Health
+ Knowledge of hepatitis and/or other blood-borne viruses

Plus public holidays and one privilege day for the King's birthday
+ Access to a generous Defined Benefit pension scheme with employer contributions.
+ Access to a cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme, season ticket advances and payroll giving.
+ Access to a retail discounts and cashback site.
+ We also promote flexible working patterns (part-time, job-share, condensed hours). UKHSA views flexible working as essential in enabling us to recruit and retain talented people, ensuring that they are able to enjoy a long-lasting career with us. All employees have the right to apply for flexible working and there are a range of options available including working from home, compressed hours and job sharing.
+ We also offer a generous maternity/ paternity and adoption leave package.
Hybrid Working
UKHSA operates a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce.
As a hybrid worker, you will usually spend a minimum of 60% of your contracted hours (averaged over a month) working at one of UKHSA's locations (approximately 3 days a week pro rata) and the rest of your time working from home.
Disability Confident Scheme
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria at sift to ensure these candidates are invited to interview. If you wish to be included in this scheme please tick the box on your application form.
Reasonable Adjustments
The Civil Service is committed to making sure that our selection methods are fair to everyone.
To help you during the recruitment process, we will take into account any reasonable adjustments that could help you.
An adjustment is a change to the recruitment process or an adjustment at work.
This is separate to the Disability Confident Scheme.
If you need an adjustment to be made at any point during the recruitment process you should:
Contact the recruitment team in confidence as soon as possible to discuss your needs.
You can find out more information about reasonable adjustments across the Civil Service here: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments