Quality Officer - UK Health Security Agency

Quality Officer

SEO National £38,724 - £44,393

Based at UKHSA Manchester

Permanent Contract

Quality Officer at Vaccine Evaluation Unit (VEU)

Join our team as a Quality Officer and play a pivotal role in upholding the excellence of the Vaccine Evaluation Unit’s Quality Management System. Your expertise will be instrumental in enhancing the unit’s quality performance, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and achieving accreditation milestones.

Key Responsibilities:

• Spearhead the development and oversight of the VEU’s Quality Management System, driving continuous improvement and adherence to quality benchmarks.
• Provide strategic support in the VEU’s operational management, maintaining optimal service efficiency and offering guidance on quality-related matters.
• Lead and mentor a dedicated team comprising the Laboratory and Equipment Officer and Quality Assurance Practitioners, fostering a culture of high-quality output.
• Champion professional growth within the team, encouraging skill enhancement and setting the standard for professional excellence.

Join us in our mission to advance vaccine evaluation through uncompromising quality and innovation.

Location

Based at UKHSA Manchester (Manchester Royal Infirmary) - Flexible working available

*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.*

Working Pattern - Full Time

Responsibilities section:

Clinical Governance

• To conduct and participate in audit processes, clinical trials, research and development projects, as required by the Head of VEU.

• To assist in the management and monitoring of Quality Assurance and Quality Control activities, and ensure the Unit meets UKAS ISO 15189, Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP), GCP (Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) guidance standards.

Quality Management

• To be responsible for implementation, management and maintenance of the VEU Quality Systems.

• To assist in the review and maintenance of the Laboratory Quality Manual and supporting documentation, for the MMMP.

Risk Management & Safety

• To manage the reporting of adverse incidents and their outcomes from the VEU, in conjunction with Section Heads and the MMMP Quality Manager.

Management and Leadership

• To be responsible for the planning, organisation and delivery of own work and of the day-to-day work of the Laboratory and Equipment Officer (LEO) and Quality Assurance Practitioners (QAP).

• To extract data and produce reports, including the use of spreadsheets to provide statistical information on audit and workload monitoring.

Education and Development

• To undertake on-going training and development and update Professional Development Plan, as required by the Head of the VEU and Director of the Regional UKHSA Laboratory keeping up to date with advances in medical microbiology and vaccinology.

• To provide and develop training for staff.

• To assist with the development of the VEU training plan.

Scientific and Clinical

• To ensure data integrity when entering demographics and results into the laboratory information system.

Policy

• To work in a safe manner in accordance with Laboratory Health and Safety policies and procedures.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.

Please see job description attached for full list of duties and competencies associated with the post.

Essential Criteria:

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1250 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

• BSc Hons in appropriate biological degree
• Post-Graduate qualification (MSc) or demonstrate equivalent related experience
• Experience with laboratory computer systems. Comprehensive IT skills Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Internet and email
• Understanding of ISO 15189 and Good x Practice (GxP) issues within scientific specialist area
• Understanding of clinical governance
• Demonstrated capabilities to manage own workload and make informed decisions in the absence of required information, working to tight and often changing timescales

Desirable

• Able to provide professional leadership for lower staff grades
• A high level of theoretical and practical scientific knowledge

Please ensure that your statement of suitability does not contain any personal identifiers such as Name, Gender, Location, Marital Status, Sexual Orientation or Religion. The UKHSA operates a fair and open recruitment policy.