Health Protection Practitioner

Support day-to-day delivery of the acute response function to ensure a safe, effective and high-quality health protection service. Act as a first point of contact, providing specialist advice to health professionals. Undertake initial assessment and management of routine cases and non-complex incidents, escalating and contributing to the management of complex incidents and outbreaks as required. Manage a defined caseload, maintaining accurate and timely records in line with UKHSA standards and handover procedures. Use evidence-based approaches to inform decision-making, seeking senior advice when appropriate. Participate in case reviews and contribute to the ongoing management of issues within a defined geographical area. Support UKHSA incident response in line with Emergency Planning and Resilience Response (EPRR) arrangements and contribute to regional emergency planning, including participation in an on-call rota where required. Contribute to the development and maintenance of surveillance systems for communicable diseases and environmental hazards, using outputs to inform public health action, policy and strategy, and to identify health needs, inequalities and impacts. Support effective partnership working with a wide range of stakeholders through routine communication and meetings, managing challenging issues and escalating where necessary. Contribute to public health initiatives, research, teaching and training, including support for medical and public health trainees through supervision or mentorship. Maintain continuous professional development through appraisal, revalidation and supervision in line with regulatory and UKHSA requirements. Undertake additional duties as required, with the role subject to review in line with service needs. Essential Criteria Registered General Nurse or Allied Health Professional in relevant clinical discipline with current professional registration e.g. NMC - For AfC T&Cs First degree (Health Related) or demonstrable equivalent experience in a health related field - For CS T&Cs Working towards registration with an appropriate health or science related professional body Post registration experience as a practitioner in a related field An understanding of and ability to work under the current Health and Social Care Act ( e.g. safe guarding vulnerable adults; data protection, information governance) Experience of building and developing effective stakeholder relationships Experience of risk management and associated reporting Effective verbal, written and presentation communication skills; capable of constructing and delivering clear messages accurately for a range of audiences Excellent planning and prioritisation skills and ability to manage competing demands Proven ability to problem solve whilst working in an unpredictable environment, often under pressure and to tight timescales Ability to demonstrate initiative and work independently with minimum supervision Ability to work collaboratively across teams, disciplines and organisations demonstrating respect and consideration for the role/ skill(s) of others Ability to analyse and interpret information in an effective manner to recommend an appropriate course of action to address the issue(s) Proven ability to work with quality improvement and governance frameworks Ability to effectively engage with others to influence and negotiate for positive outcomes Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office including Word, and Excel Evidence of ongoing CPD and committed to self-development An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, and in relation to management systems Desirable Criteria Professional Public Health registration e.g. Specialist Community Public Health (SCPHN) part of the NMC Register or UK PH Register for practitioners Evidence of relevant CPD in Health Protection with documented experience at masters level practice Recognised teaching experience Demonstrable experience in Infection Prevention and Control Sound knowledge of the principles of health protection Proven experience of undertaking and completing projects on time and within complex and challenging environments Experience of working in community settings and with health care providers Experience of designing and implementing internal processes and procedures for service improvement e.g. governance standards, audit etc Experience of managing others in a managerial or supervisory role including performance management and appraisal and development Experience of business planning including budget management and financial processes Knowledge of project principles, techniques and tools such as Prince 2 and Managing Successful Projects Able to develop, interpret, implement and evaluate policies Proven capability to plan over short, medium and long-term timeframes and adjust plans and resource requirements accordingly Selection ProcessDetails This vacancy is using SuccessProfiles and will assess your Behaviours, Ability and Experience.

Stage 1

Application & Sift You willbe requiredto complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 17 essentialcriteria,and this will be in the form ofa: Application form(Employer/ Activity history section on the application) 1500 wordsupporting statement. This should outline how you consider your skills,experienceandknowledgeprovide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V please beadvisedyou will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV.

Longlisting

In the event ofa large number ofapplicationswewilllonglistinto 3 piles of: Meets all essential criteria Meets some essential criteria Meets no essential criteria If used, the pile Meets all essential criteria will proceed to shortlisting.

Shortlisting

In the event ofa large number ofapplications wemay conductan initial sift, on the lead criteria of: Post registration experience as a practitioner in a related field Proven ability to problem solve whilst working in an unpredictable environment, often under pressure and to tight timescales Desirable criteria maybeusedin the event ofa large number ofapplications/largeamountof successful candidates. If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment. Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2

Interview You will be invited to a single face to faceinterview. If face to face interviewsareplanned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview. Behaviours, Ability and Experiencewill be tested at interview. There will be aPresentation. The presentation topic will link to the behaviour "Changing and improving". Further details will be provided at interview stage. The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be: Making Effective Decisions (Lead Behaviour) Changing and Improving Working Together Leadership Delivering at pace Interviewsdates to be confirmed. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Location This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our core HQ in London, Canary Wharf. We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using 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 our office. Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport links and benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC). Security Clearance Level Requirement Successful candidates must pass an enhanced disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Baseline Personnel Security Standard.

Eligibility Criteria External

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants). Salary Information If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.

AFC Band 7 salary range

£49,387-£56,515 + Inner London HCAS per annum, pro rata

Senior Executive Officer salary range

£46,310 - 52,113 per annum, pro rata NHS Pension This role is offered under Agenda for Change (AFC) Terms and Conditions. If you are already on AFC T&Cs or accept the role on a fixed-term contract, you will be enrolled in the NHS Pension Scheme or keep your current AFC Pension. If you take the role on a loan or temporary promotion, you will retain your existing, substantive T&Cs. If the role is available under either AFC or Civil Service T&Cs depending on your registration, your pension scheme will align accordingly.