Working for DHSC
We offer a varied, exciting, challenging and rewarding working environment.
Previous experience in a government department is not essential: our staff have backgrounds in the voluntary, public and private sectors.
Jobs at the Department of Health and Social Care
We are currently recruiting to a variety of roles. Visit the Civil Service Jobs website for more details and to apply.
All Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) jobs are advertised on the Civil Service Jobs website. We also advertise in national and local media.
Vacancies on DHSC’s expert committees and other non-standard advisory roles are listed below. If there are no vacancies listed below, then we are not currently recruiting to any roles on our expert committees.
Vacancies on the boards of our arm’s length bodies are listed on the Public Appointments website.
The Department of Health and Social Care values and promotes diversity and is committed to equality of opportunity for all.
Pay
We provide:
- a competitive salary that is reviewed annually
- the opportunity to earn performance awards
- an occupational pension when you join DHSC
Employee benefits and rewards
Employee benefits and rewards include:
- an employee discount scheme
- childcare vouchers or tax-free childcare scheme for eligible employees
- an employee assistance programme providing confidential advice, information and counselling
- the option to join a trade union
- an in-year award scheme for one-off exceptional personal or team achievements
- sick leave on full pay, followed by half pay, up to the maximum allowed by the relevant scheme
Flexibility
Flexibilities include:
- up to 30 days annual leave and 9 days public and privilege leave in a year (pro rata for part-time staff)
- time off to deal with emergencies, unexpected situations and certain other unplanned special circumstances
- paid time off for public service duties, for example if you are an armed forces reservist
- family-friendly policies, including flexible working patterns
- flexible working hours, subject to business needs
Family-friendly policies
Eligible employees are entitled to:
- maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks full pay followed by 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid
- paternity leave of up to 2 weeks full pay
Development and career opportunities
We offer:
- rewarding and challenging jobs to help you develop and reach your potential
- a comprehensive range of learning and development opportunities to help you develop your skills, knowledge and experience
Roles
The UK Advisory Panel for Healthcare Workers Living with Bloodborne Viruses - chair
The Chief Executive of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is looking to appoint a chair to The UK Advisory Panel for Healthcare Workers Living with Bloodborne Viruses (UKAP).
UKAP gives advice and guidance on the transmission and management of bloodborne viruses among healthcare workers - specifically HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. The panel also provides support for local incident management teams and maintains a monitoring register of healthcare workers living with HIV and hepatitis B who perform exposure prone procedures.
As the chair you will be responsible for ensuring UKAP’s continued standing as the UK’s recognised leading body in the provision of advice and guidance on bloodborne viruses (BBVs) in healthcare workers.
We are looking for an outstanding individual with a good reputation and strong leadership skills, able to command the confidence of the panel, healthcare professionals and academic community.
You must not be an UKHSA employee.
The chair will preferably have:
- experience of successfully leading a committee
- a commitment to:
- evidence-based advice
- maintaining the independent integrity of UKAP
- the values of accountability and probity
- following the best practice principles as set out in the Chief Scientist’s Code of Practice for Scientific Advisory Committees
You should be an expert in the area of occupational health, public health and/or BBVs and be able to commit time to the work of this high-profile advisory panel.
You should have excellent communication skills and be capable of dealing sensitively and authoritatively with panel members and key stakeholders. Experience of working at the interface between science and public health policy making would be an advantage.
In addition, all applicants should have:
- strong skills in absorbing and analysing information and scientific or medical data, including:
- applying relevant knowledge, perspective and skills
- identifying key issues and actions needed
- developing evidence-based, workable solutions to sometimes complex issues
- excellent communication skills, including:
- engaging effectively with, and using knowledge and skills to make, impartial and persuasive arguments based on a sound understanding of the evidence available
- providing effective challenge in face-to-face discussions and telephone conferences
- experience at a senior level, including:
- making significant personal contributions to a particular field of study
- commitment to the principles of giving independent advice to stakeholders and/or government
- sound understanding of and commitment to the principles of public life and equalities
There will be no remuneration for a time commitment of 6 to 8 days per year. The chief executive of UKHSA determines the length of appointment, which may be for up to a maximum of 3 years.
See the candidate information pack for further information and details of how to apply.
The closing date for applications is midday on Monday 16 September 2024.
Adult social care local authority improvement advisors and commissioners
The government is seeking to recruit individuals with extensive experience of leadership in settings relevant to adult social care, who are interested and would be committed to acting on behalf of the Secretary of State and Department of Health and Social Care to support local authorities to identify and address any failings in the delivery of their adult social care duties.
Applications will be assessed against the following essential criteria:
- demonstrable track record of leading, motivating and managing teams to achieve sustainable service improvements across multiple service areas in the context of growing demand and increasingly constrained resources
- experience of working in a comparably senior role such as local authority chief executive officer or director of adult social care services
- expert knowledge and understanding of relevant legislative frameworks, policy and governance requirements appropriate to adult social care; and issues currently affecting the sector
- experience of working in complex political environments, with an in-depth understanding of local government and successful work with elected members and improvement partners to deliver change or improve services
- ability to identify reasons for service failure and instigate the measures necessary to stabilise service delivery and implement improvement and share these findings with national government
Successful candidates will be appointed to a pool of suitable individuals that can be deployed to support local authorities when required.
We invite those who are interested, with the required skills and experience, to apply by midnight on Friday 25 October 2024.
Expert committee roles
Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances - members
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is looking to appoint up to 5 members to the Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances (ACBS). ACBS is responsible for advising the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on the prescribing of borderline substances in NHS primary care. Borderline substances are nutritional or dermatological products that have been specially formulated to manage certain medical conditions.
Candidates applying for this role should have an outstanding record of achievement, personal credibility and senior level experience within one of the following specialisms:
- primary care: a GP or other primary healthcare professional
- metabolic dietitian: knowledge of ketogenic products would be desirable for this role
- medicines management or prescribing support dietitian
- paediatric dietetics
- pharmacist
You must be able to demonstrate:
- that you have an in-depth knowledge of nutritional formulations as appropriate to your profession
- practical experience of using clinical research methodologies or organising clinical trials and interpreting data
In addition, you must have excellent communication skills in all respects including the ability to present complex information in a clear and succinct manner for the committee meetings. You must also be able to demonstrate an insight into the challenges facing patients in the community and represent the patient viewpoint.
The term of appointment is up to 3 years and the time commitment is up to 9 days per year, which involves a one-day meeting in-person, several half-day meetings via teleconference and some work outside of meetings. There is no remuneration for these posts, but expenses will be paid in line with departmental policy.
To apply please email your CV, one-page supporting statement and completed monitoring form to appointments.team@dhsc.gov.uk.
If you require an alternative format, please call Ralph Cabrega on 0113 254 5481, quoting the reference VAC-EC1858.
The closing date for applications is midday on Wednesday 2 October 2024.
Administration of Radioactive Substances Advisory Committee (ARSAC) - members
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is looking to appoint 3 members to the Administration of Radioactive Substances Advisory Committee (ARSAC):
- a consultant in clinical oncology
- a consultant nuclear medicine specialist (radiologist or nuclear medicine physician)
- a radiopharmacist
ARSAC advises the relevant licensing authorities on licence applications from practitioners and employers that will enable them to administer specific radioactive substances in diagnosis, therapy or research.
As specialists in the administration of radioactive substances or related areas, members are responsible for impartially assessing applications for employer and practitioner licences and research approvals under the relevant regulations, contributing to the discussions of the committee and working alongside other recognised experts assessing the current issues under consideration. Members are expected to contribute to the committee’s discussions and to the consideration of detailed statements and conclusions from the committee.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have the qualities, skills and experience to meet all of the following essential criteria:
- a track record of achievement in one of the following fields:
- radiopharmacy
- clinical oncology
- nuclear medicine
- be able, and are prepared, to actively contribute to the work of ARSAC
- demonstrate the potential to operate effectively on a national expert scientific committee
- be able to consider complex issues across all nuclear medicine disciplines and exercise sound judgement on issues involving service delivery and legal requirements
- the ability to work as an individual and as part of a team, with a positive and constructive style
In addition to the above it would be desirable if applicants could demonstrate a current interest in the promotion of good practice in nuclear medicine, an established track record in research and significant experience of committee membership.
In applying to be a member of ARSAC, you must not be tied to a commercial company in your primary function.
The time commitment for the role is around 2 hours a week and 2 face-to-face meetings per year. There is no remuneration for this role, but expenses will be paid in line with DHSC policy. The proposed length of term for new appointments is generally up to 4 years.
For further information please see the candidate information pack. To apply please email your CV, supporting statement and completed monitoring form to appointments.team@dhsc.gov.uk.
If you require an alternative format, please contact Karen Dinsdale on karen.dinsdale@dhsc.gov.uk or 0113 254 5414 quoting the reference VAC-EC1860.
The closing date for applications is midday on Wednesday 2 October 2024.
Monitoring form
DHSC values and promotes diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community.
Complete the monitoring form as part of your application. You can complete it in Word or PDF.
Jobs in the NHS
If you’re interested in working for the NHS, see the NHS Jobs website.