Job Title: Named Training and Competency Officer (NTCO)

THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM
Recruitment Role Profile Form

Job Title: Named Training and Competency Officer (NTCO)

School/Department: Bio Support Unit (BSU)

Salary: £37,394 - £45,954 per annum, depending on skills and experience. Salary progression beyond this scale is subject to performance

Job Family and Level: APM Level 5

Contract Status: Permanent

Hours of Work: Full-time

Location: Medical School, University Park and Sutton Bonington

Reporting to: Director BSU

Purpose of the New Role:

To meet the extensive and significant responsibilities of the Named Training and Competency Officer (NTCO). Details of the role of are to be found at pages 76-78 at this link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/291350/Guidance_on_the_Operation_of_ASPA.pdf

To be responsible for ensuring that Home Office Licence Holders at the University of Nottingham (around 350 academic and technical research staff) plus those carrying out non regulated procedures (including husbandry) are adequately educated, trained, supervised and competent. To develop policies, systems and processes to provide the required Governance and Compliance overview. To develop an existing LabTracks software package to centrally record and analyse such data.

This role contributes to ensuring compliance with the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA) and to providing high standards of support to the in vivo research community.

Main Responsibilities / % time per year
1. / Utilising professional knowledge develop strategies and policies that will ensure the University of Nottingham meets legislative requirements for an overarching approach to ensuring appropriate levels of education, training, supervision and competence. This is applicable, to the fullest extent, to all of those dealing with research animals thus safeguarding animal and staff welfare and minimising reputational risk.
Conduct risk assessments that prioritise and focus resource where most appropriate. / 20%
2. / Undertaking the Named Training and Competency Officer role. Responsible for ensuring that all those dealing with animals are adequately educated, trained and supervised until they are competent. Overseeing the training, supervision and competency undertaken within the remit of the Establishment Licence to ensure consistency of approach. Auditing the education, training, supervision and competency provision and processes being undertaken to ensure legislative compliance. / 20%
3. / Be familiar with the main provisions of ASPA and provide professional guidance and interpretation relating to the ASPA legislation for those working under the Act.
Ensure that all who plan to work with animals discuss their training needs with the NTCO and advise training to be completed, including practical training and supervision, ahead of licence application and competency assessment.
Advise and gain the support of senior professorial colleagues in order to maintain collaborative and collegiate working arrangements that deliver objectives where no line management authority exists. / 10%
4. / Set local standards in line with national expectations, for training supervision and competency including CPD, for those dealing with animals. This is applicable to those carrying out procedures, designing studies, taking care of and humane killing animals, within the remit of the Establishment Licence. Maintain an overview of the conduct of experimental procedures involving animals, monitor performance and take appropriate corrective action to ensure performance standards are consistently met. Recognise issues of non-compliance and take appropriate action. / 5%
5. / To ensure that records and certification are maintained centrally of training provided and competency assessments for all individuals dealing with animals. This includes the maintenance of the Register of those competent to humanely kill animals. / 10%
6. / Endorsement of new or amended personal licence applications prior to submission to the Home Office. Undertake subsequent processing as appropriate using the Home Office IT system. Liaise with the Home Office Inspector and Animals in Science Regulatory Unit (ASRU) in respect to licence requirements and processing. / 5%
7. / Manage, maintain and develop the Universities Training Group (UTG) accredited Home Office licensee modular training course (including the skills based aspects) in accordance with EU and National guidelines. Ensure that the course is delivered according to latest University teaching expectations including use of IT Platforms.
Plan and organise the yearly course programme, lecturers, course notes and assessments. Deliver appropriate aspects of the course. Develop the assessment format and analysis of course feedback.
Attend and contribute to the national Universities Training Group (UTG) forum developing networks with senior colleagues in the sector and in industry.
Undertake financial responsibility for the budgetary and cost recovery requirements of this course.
Plan, organise and deliver induction and legislatively required CPD courses for research colleagues. / 10%
8. / Extend and implement full functionality of the laboratory animal facility management and information software ‘LabTracks’ in collaboration with the BSU administrator and the Director of BSU.
Specific focus on the planning and development of a strategy for central holding of training and competency records within this IT system. Subsequent development of reports of Licensee training and competency to the Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body (AWERB) and University Research Ethics Committee. (UREC) / 10%
9. / To be actively involved with the AWERB process and provide advice to the AWERB on matters relating to education and training. To promulgate the 3Rs of Replacement, Reduction and Refinement during training of staff. / 5%
10. / To undertake such other laboratory animal facility related duties as may be required by the Director of BSU. / 5%

Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications & Experience

Essential / Desirable
Qualifications/ Education / ·  Fellowship of the Institute of Animal Technology and/or relevant degree in biological or veterinary sciences. / ·  PhD in Bioscience.
Skills/Training / ·  Expertise in management and supervision of staff and influencing others outside line management authority.
·  Proven communication, presentation and interpersonal skills
·  Specialist expertise in the management, husbandry, breeding and experimental use of laboratory animal rodents in a research environment.
·  Ability to conduct a wide range of regulated procedures to a high standard with authoritative knowledge of successful procedural outcomes and competency.
·  Excellent organisational, planning and record keeping and skills.
·  IT competency/technical expertise and ability to develop functionality of IT systems.
·  An understanding of financial cost recovery and budgetary control. / ·  Knowledge of anaesthetics and aseptic surgery
·  Expertise in the management, husbandry, breeding and experimental use of farm animals in a research environment.
·  Development of websites and on line training provision.
·  Experience of working in an academic environment.
Experience / ·  Sound professional knowledgeable of the interpretation and application of the ASPA regulations.
·  Experience in the training of licensees and the assessment of competence.
·  Experience of working with and influencing Home Office licence holders.
·  Proven ability to deliver education and training in a classroom forum and practical skills based training in the laboratory. / ·  GLP background.
Statutory/Legal / ·  Holder of a Home Office personal licence
·  Full driving licence / ·  Current or recent holder of a Home Office project licence

Decision Making

i)  taken independently by the role holder

·  Instruction to research colleagues and other staff (of all levels of seniority) to ensure compliance with the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.
·  Development of risk assessments relating to competency and training needs.
·  Endorsement of licences for submission to the Home Office from the University of Nottingham
·  Set local standards in line with national expectations, for training supervision and competency including CPD, for those dealing with research animals.

ii)  taken in collaboration with others

·  Development of BSU capability to meet specific research requirements
·  Staff training requirements to maintain operational capability
·  Timetabling of Home Office licensee training courses and Induction courses
·  Development of the Home Office training courses
·  Development of IT Systems

iii)  referred to the appropriate line manager (please name) by the role holder

·  Issues of compliance under the Animal’s (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986
·  Animal welfare issues
·  Disciplinary issues

Additional Information

The role holder must be highly motivated, have excellent interpersonal and organisational skills in order to meet Home Office and University expectations and deliver the quality of service associated with this demanding role. The ability to maintain collaborative and collegiate working while upholding high standards of legislative compliance is key to successfully undertaking this role.
A flexible attitude to the demands of this role, with the necessary vocational approach required to provide cover outside the core working hours is a mandatory requirement.
Pro-active working with the Director of the BSU is essential in order to fully undertake the NTCO role across both BSU sites. It will be necessary to represent the University at professional meetings.
/ The University of Nottingham strongly endorses Athena Swan principles, with commitment from all levels of the organisation in furthering women’s careers. It is our mission to ensure equal opportunity, best working practices and fair policies for all.