Job overview
The post-holder will be the professional lead for health, safety, bio-security, and environment management across all laboratory sites within UHSussex Pathology providing management, specialist knowledge, and scientific/technical expertise on all health, safety and environment matters to ensure the safe delivery of the clinical diagnostic service.
The post-holder will be responsible for the integration and delivery of a comprehensive and coordinated health and safety system across all UHSussex Pathology sites. This will include facilitating the delivery of specialist training and systematic audit/inspection programmes across multiple sites for all staff grades. The post-holder will maintain high professional standards, professional knowledge and competency, undertaking personal continuing professional development, and assisting with the training and development of other staff
Main duties of the job
. Develops communication forums to disseminate H&S information & assists with handling formal written complaints.Uses highly developed communication skills to impart complex/sensitive information whilst ensuring compliance with professional codes of conduct & confidentiality e.g.outcomes of HSE inspections, accident investigations etc. Develops & maintains strong/effective relationships with key personnel e.g.H&S Executive (HSE), Environment Agency (EA) & South East Counter Terrorism Unit (SECTU). Contributes to strategic planning in H&S matters.Critically reviews, prepares, implements, maintains & monitors compliance with all Health & Safety pathology procedures. Acts as one of the approver/authoriser on local Health & Safety documentation & with the delegated authority in matters of H&S including suspending/stopping activity deemed unsafe. Ensures safe management/maintenance of expensive & complex analytical equipment & facilities is carried out.Maintains scientific knowledge & skill set with the latest scientific/medical developments, emerging technologies, research and other national/international issues which may have an impact on the laboratory e.g. epidemics/pandemics, emerging events such as Ebola/VHF outbreaks etc. Investigating and analysing incident reports to identify trends & recurring issues. Develop & implement plans/processes & internal policies to ensure UHSussex Pathology conforms to requirements of relevant legislation & local/national guidance.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex (UHSx), diversity is our strength, & we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness & experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, & can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) & a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients & staff with the same compassion & empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above & beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our candidate information pack & wellbeing programme, for staff which is extensive & designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching & training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us & throughout your career we will help you to grow & develop. We hope that in choosing UHSx you are choosing a long & happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make & feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application & the start of your journey with UHSx.
Candidate Information Pack:
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see the detailed job description and person specification that has been included within this vacancy
Person specification
Professional Registration
Essential criteria
1. Membership of professional health and safety e.g. IOSH, ISTR, etc. commensurate with role
Desirable criteria
2. Registered to practice as Biomedical Scientist with Health and Care Professions Council
Experience/Qualifications
Essential criteria
3. MSc / MPhil in science-based discipline or equivalent e.g. IBMS Higher Specialist Portfolio Formal qualification in Occupational Health and Safety e.g. NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Safety & Health (or equivalent) Highly developed specialist knowledge underpinned by theoretical knowledge and extensive practical experience including: 1. Experience in a clinical or scientific laboratory setting 2. Experience in performing a laboratory management role (>5 years) 3. Experience in performing a health and safety role (>5 years) 4. Evidence of Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Desirable criteria
4. NEBOSH Diploma Occupational Safety and Health (or equivalent) Formal qualification in Environment Management Experience working with external stakeholders e.g. HSE, EA etc. Knowledge of incident investigation and/or Root Cause analysis Knowledge of accreditation standards for Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems e.g. ISO 45001 Experience of managing or working in a high-containment laboratory setting Experience in performing a health and safety management role
Skills
Essential criteria
5. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Highly developed team building, leadership and motivational abilities. Highly specialist presentation skills. Developed persuasive, motivational, negotiation and training skills. Able to provide and receive highly complex and sensitive information orally, in writing and electronically. Capable of disseminating highly complex and multi-stranded information which may be conflicting. Able to act as highly specialist advisor to staff and users, applying empathetic and re-assurance skills as situations require. Capable of communicating complex and sensitive information that may be highly critical or contentious including situations where there may be barriers to understanding. Able to communicate highly complex and specialist knowledge in a suitable and targeted way that is clear and understandable to both a specialist and non-specialist audience. Able to demonstrate excellent numeric and analytical skills including analysing data sets and trends, performing post-incident investigations and systematic audits Ability to make sound political judgements and decisions involving highly complex facts Possesses highly developed problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands Ability to interpret national and local guidelines Is highly literate and skilled at report writing and producing concise reports, guidance and advice. Ability to analyse complex facts and situations and develop a range of options. Takes decisions on difficult and contentious issues where there may be a number of courses of action. Responsible for the purchase of some specialist physical assets and supplies Capable of taking responsibility for the installation and maintenance of specialist equipment and physical assets Strategic thinking – ability to anticipate and resolve problems before they arise Ability to make decisions autonomously, when required, on difficult issues, working to tight and often changing timescales Excellent organisational skills and prioritising skills. Ability to manage own work programme and to prioritise deadlines Demonstrated capability to plan over short, medium and long-term timeframes and adjust plans and resource requirements accordingly Capable of frequent use of computer software to produce reports, spreadsheets and presentations.
People Management and Development
Essential criteria
6. Able to manage a comprehensive and co-ordinated H&S system for multiple departments across multiple hospital sites. Able to manage and facilitate a comprehensive and specialist health and safety training programme across multiple departments and sites for large numbers of staff.
Freedom to Act
Essential criteria
7. •Proven ability to work with autonomy and to facilitate decision making using sound, well-informed judgement and information.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Essential criteria
8. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
9. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications