Technical Assessors – Forensic Analysis of Drugs

Are you an experienced drugs analyst or reporting officer with a passion for Quality?

Are you looking for a challenge or to expand your knowledge/experience?

Are you looking for an opportunity to give something back to the forensic community?

UKAS is seeking independent Technical Assessors in the field of Forensic Drugs (identification and quantitation).

Technical Assessors are part of a team of individuals which go into an organisation to confirm conformity and compliance to specific accreditation standards. There will be a lead assessor, normally a UKAS employee, who will look at the quality system and support the technical assessor throughout the visit.

Technical assessors are required to witness activities in the laboratory and review examination records and reports commenting on competency and compliance to their procedures. In addition, technical assessors will review organisations documentation and records to confirm effective implementation of the system (including competency and validation records).

Training is provided in the relevant conformity assessment standard (ISO/IEC 17025, ILAC G19, FSR Code) and through the attendance at a UKAS training course. In addition, the Technical Assessor will attend at least two assessment visits as an observer. For these activities UKAS will pay any reasonable expenses. Following this initial training phase, the Technical Assessor will be monitored on a minimum of two assessment visits, which if completed successfully will result in the Technical Assessor being signed off as competent. For these activities UKAS will pay any reasonable expenses as well as an agreed daily rate.

UKAS would expect Technical Assessors to be available for at least 20 days per year for assessment work. Typical visits would be around 3 days site time with 1 day office time to prepare for the visit and write report. There will also be close out effort assigned which is determined at the end of the visit (to review evidence of corrective actions from the visit).

UKAS holds one to two Forensic Technical Assessor Days per year. All Forensic Technical Assessors are expected to attend these days as part of their on-going professional development.

The work could be delivered either through a contract between UKAS and the Technical Assessor’s employer directly or the Technical Assessor may opt to do the assessments in their own personal time, if agreed with their employer. If the latter option is taken a contract would be required between UKAS and the Technical Assessor directly.

UKAS contracts Technical Assessors on a day rate basis, the level of work depends on the demands that our customers place on us and therefore UKAS cannot guarantee specific levels of work. Once trained and authorised as competent UKAS will pay an agreed rate for work undertaken. Where travel and subsistence is reasonably required this will be reimbursed in accordance with HMRC guidelines.

An agreement and confidentiality undertaking will need to be signed prior to services being used. In addition, the assessor may need to undertake specific security clearance processes.

In order for an individual to be considered as a suitable candidate they should have the following:

• A number of years practical experience, preferably at a senior level, and possess up-to-date and detailed knowledge of the requirements of the Criminal Justice System.
• A high degree of knowledge and experience with respect to the processes involved in setting case strategies, undertaking laboratory examinations, interpreting and reporting findings.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, being able to communicate effectively with laboratory staff and management at all levels.

Additionally, applicants would benefit from:

• A working knowledge of the international standards ISO/IEC 17025, although training will be available.
• Familiarity with ILAC G19:06/2022 Modules in a Forensic Science Process.
• Familiarity with the Forensic Science Regulator: Code of Practice including relevant Forensic Science Activities.
• Some experience of internal or external auditing.

It is important that our assessors are acceptable to a wide range of accredited bodies, and therefore able to demonstrate a good degree of impartiality.

To express an initial interest in becoming an assessor, please contact Talent Acquisition Manager, Andy Green on 07827 096408 or email [email protected]

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• • Further information on how to apply can be found here
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