Healthcare Science Support Worker
UK Health Security Agency
Apply before 11:55 pm on Thursday 7th November 2024
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About the job
Job summary
We are looking for a Healthcare Scientific Support Worker to support our Microbiology laboratory at Cambridge. The Microbiology laboratory at Cambridge current provides services to Addenbrooke’s, Royal Papworth, and the E&N Herts Hospitals, the surrounding district, and other NHS Laboratories. It has active research and epidemiological interests. The laboratory undergoes assessment against UKAS ISO 15189 standards, and has strong teaching interests.
Set on the outskirts of the university city of Cambridge, Addenbrooke’s Hospital is one of the top hospitals in the UK and a thriving NHS Foundation Trust. Addenbrooke’s is closely associated with leading educational providers including the University of Cambridge and is a major centre for biomedical research and education.
The department undertakes a wide range of routine and specialist microbiological and molecular investigations. It makes extensive use of automation including Qiagen platforms, Biofire, BacTec, Sedimax, MGIT, Vitek, Centaur XP, Panther, Liaison and Vidas analysers and Kiestra.
We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.
UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.
Job description
As a Healthcare Science Support Worker, you will act as a laboratory assistant to support the scientific team providing services to patients and clients as an aid to clinical diagnosis.
Your main duties and responsibilities will include:
- Sample receipt and handing
- Sample preparation and reagent preparation following protocols.
Clerical duties, including use of computers, and data entry, telephone enquiries - Providing results service to wards, GPs and other hospitals
- Dealing with patients, visitors and deliveries
- Monitoring and maintaining appropriate stock levels, receipt of deliveries and preparation of orders
- Cleaning and disinfection of equipment and laboratory areas
- Monitoring and routine maintenance of equipment
- Performing manual, semi-automated and automated tests according to protocols
- Disposal of patient samples in accordance with relevant guidelines
Autoclaving of waste material and patient samples (involves moderate lifting) - Portering duties, exchange of gas cylinders (involves moderate lifting)
- Working in a safe manner in accordance with Laboratory Health and Safety policies and procedures
- Processing specimens, sub culturing of specimens, cleaning and maintenance of equipment, assisting BMS staff in analytical techniques, and use of automated equipment within Containment Level 3 laboratory
- Use of automated equipment and its cleaning and maintenance within Containment Level 2 laboratories
- Participating in Quality Assurance and Quality Control activities, and assist the department in maintaining UKAS accreditation
- Participating in audit processes, drug trials, research projects as required
- Assisting in the production of bacteriological culture media
- Occasionally working under remote supervision of a Registered Biomedical Scientist following defined SOP/protocols, and referring non-routine issues to their supervisor
Person specification
- GCSE or equivalent
- Clear communicator with good writing, data entry and telephone skills ensuring accuracy
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team
- Problem solving skills
- Able to work on own initiative, organising and prioritising own workload to set deadlines
- An ability to maintain confidentiality and trust
- Good time keeping
- Flexible approach to work
- Ability to follow written protocols
- An understanding of, and commitment to, equality of opportunity and good working relationships
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your Qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and capabilities outlined in the essential criteria.
Stage 1 - Application and sift (competency-based assessments)
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the 10 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of
- an application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
- a 500 word Statement of Suitability. This should outline how you consider your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.
The application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked separately, and you must pass both to move forward to interview.
Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview.
Please do not exceed 500 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview - Competency
You will be invited to a remote interview. Technical, experience and abilities will be tested at interview.
Expected Timeline:
Advert close: 30th October 2024 at 23:55. Please note that late applications will not be accepted.
Interviews: TBC
Please note these dates could be subject to change.
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 will be a lab-based role located at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge. The Cambridge laboratory operates a 24/7 shift pattern to which you will be expected to contribute. Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.
Eligibility Criteria
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants).
Reasonable Adjustments
The Civil Service is committed to making sure that our selection methods are fair to everyone.
To help you during the recruitment process, we will consider any reasonable adjustments that could help you.
An adjustment is a change to the recruitment process or an adjustment at work.
This is separate to the Disability Confident Scheme.
If you need an adjustment to be made at any point during the recruitment process you should:
Contact the recruitment team in confidence as soon as possible to discuss your needs.
You can find out more information about reasonable adjustments across the Civil Service here: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments/
Security Clearance Level Requirement
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard and Counter Terrorism Check security vetting.
You will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.
International Police check:
If you have spent more than 6 months abroad over the last 3 years you may need an International Police Check. This would not necessarily have to be in a single block, and it could be time accrued over that period.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Your application may be rejected and/or you may be subject to disciplinary action if evidence of plagiarism is detected. Examples of plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence (AI), as your own.
Careers website:
Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Jon Payne
- Email : recruitment@ukhsa.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : recruitment@ukhsa.gov.uk
Further information
