Quality Officer (x2)
Salary & Grade: £34,463 - £41,478, HEO (Inner London)
Location: 61 Colindale Avenue London NW9 5EQ
Type and term of contract: x1 Permanent Contract & x1 FTC Contract (till March 2025)
(Please note that your application will be considered for both posts)
We are recruiting for Quality Officers to support the Specialised Microbiology and Laboratories at our site in Colindale. You will be supporting the team by maintaining their quality systems, achieving and maintaining accreditation and certification as appropriate, and assist with supporting continual improvement in quality processes in accordance with all UKHSA policies and procedures.
Location
This role will be based at UKHSA 61 Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5HT.
The UK Health Security Agency (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 one of UKHSA's locations (Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and London). Specialist or regional roles will be based at the appropriate UKHSA site. For certain roles, some additional flexibility may be possible, which will be agreed upon with the hiring manager based on individual requirements and business needs.
- Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.*
As the Quality Manager your main responsibilities will include:
- Undertake quality management tasks delegated by the Quality Systems Manager and the Quality Assurance Managers linked to achievement and ongoing maintenance of accreditation or certification of UKHSA units or laboratories, and wider quality improvement
- Work with others to fulfil the quality related responsibilities and functions of the laboratories or units that the post holder is assigned to
- Review and chase up, and assist staff in completion of, overdue quality actions (including CAPAs eg complaints, nonconformities or quality improvements) under the direction of the Quality Assurance Managers
- Provide practical support in preparation for, and organisation of, inspections by third party assessors, such as UKAS and ISO 9001 assessors, or other external assessors such as commercial organisations or research councils with whom collaborative and contract work is being undertaken, and to progress quality actions arising from these assessments
- Support the audit system by taking on the role of an internal auditor, performing assigned audits and helping others complete their audits to a high standard
- Review and produce quality documentation (eg Quality System Protocols)
- Assist laboratory staff to monitor the performance of suppliers, including audit of key suppliers and contractors as required
- Work as part of the Quality Team within UKHSA Colindale, attending quality team meetings as required
- Assist in the extraction and analysis of data and production of reports, including those for Management Review meetings
- Implement the measuring and monitoring of key process indicators within the laboratory
It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 750 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the essential criteria (for full details of all essential criteria please refer to the attached job description)
Essential
- Science degree or equivalent in microbiology or a related pathology discipline
- Substantial laboratory experience (greater than two years), preferably working in an accredited medical laboratory
- Understanding of quality assurance principles and procedures
- Familiar with electronic quality management software solutions
- Wide experience of common office software applications e.g Q - Pulse
- Experience of data analysis and preparing reports
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
Desirable
Postgraduate scientific qualification or demonstrable equivalent experiential learning gained in a medical laboratory environment
- Quality management qualification or relevant CPD
- Experience in applying a range of standards, regulations and guidelines applicable to clinical laboratories
- Experience of performing audit