Healthcare Scientific Support Worker
UK Health Security Agency
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 10th November 2024
Details
Reference number
Salary
Job grade
Contract type
Type of role
Working pattern
Number of jobs available
Contents
Location
About the job
Job summary
The laboratory in Bristol is situated within the Severn Pathology suite of laboratories at North Bristol NHS Trust Southmead site. The laboratory receives in excess of 1 million specimens a year from a large number of clinical specialties across the Bristol and Bath hospital trusts which contribute to an interesting and varied workload.
The scope of this role is to learn and maintain good laboratory practice in the interests of the departmental commitment to provide an efficient service and to become a positive member of a team or teams in the function of service provision.
The post holder will report on biomedical investigations and utilise the appropriate testing to assist the Biomedical Scientists. The Post holder will rotate through different sections in the laboratory and be expected to supervise and train staff. The post holder should be a good communicator and effective at prioritising competing workloads. In return we will provide a comprehensive induction programme and you will be appraised on a yearly basis with a view to developing knowledge and skills where appropriate.
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
The post holder would be required to help prepare and dispatch items/samples for referral, transport and posting issue specimen collection kits, containers and reagents to appropriate areas.
The post holder would undertake sterilisation and disposal of laboratory waste including collection of discard and waste material, loading and unloading discard bins to autoclaves, transfer of laboratory waste to designated collection/disposal areas.
The post holder will undertake any reasonable task delegated by a senior member of staff.
The post holders main responsibilities will be to:
- receive, sort, unpack, label and process specimens in the laboratory
- understand the use of the laboratory information system (LIMS) and undertake data entry e.g. for samples received and referred
- electronically request and receive tests and look up results etc
- solve minor problems with mislabelled or mislaid samples and to generate worksheets
- collect and transfer laboratory consumables and samples to and from delivery points, storage areas and workstations
- accurately prepare samples for analysis
- assist with the setting up of automated and semi-automated tests
- follow various technical procedures e.g. Preparation of specimens for C. difficile toxin detection. Inoculation of samples on to culture media etc
- maintain a high standard of competence in the performance of all tests appropriate to grade and investigations carried out in that area, following appropriate training
- perform technical work under the supervision of a Biomedical Scientist
- ensure important or unusual results are drawn to the attention of senior staff and to report complaints or anomalies as soon as possible
- use equipment in a safe and responsible manner
- perform general laboratory duties e.g. checking and cleaning instruments/equipment, recording temperatures, preparing reagents and assistance with stock control
- perform general clerical duties e.g. photocopying, filing, telephone answering, dealing with queries from clients, customers and other NHS staff and to undertake data entry
- assist in the training of other healthcare scientist support worker staff
- rotate through all relevant sections of the department as directed
Person specification
Essential Criteria
- interest in Science and technology
- basic knowledge of health and safety and safe working practices
- previous experience of using computerised data systems. And working knowledge of Microsoft Office including Word and Excel
- clear communicator with good writing, data entry and telephone skills ensuring accuracy and attention to detail
- 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
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
Selection Process Details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours/Ability/ Experience.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
Success profiles
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the above listed seven essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:
- Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
- 500 word Statement of Suitability
This should outline how 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 together.
Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:
- Meets all essential criteria
- Meets some essential criteria
- Meets no essential criteria
Please note that candidates in the Disability Confident Scheme will be shortlisted if you meet the minimum essential criteria.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment
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 (success profiles)
You will be invited to a (single) face to face interview. If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.
Behaviours experience and ability will be tested at interview.
The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:
- seeing the big picture
- working together
- developing self and others
- delivering at pace
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 lab working based at Bristol (Southmead Hospital). 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 pass a disclosure and barring security check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-terrorist Check. 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.
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 : Carlie James
- Email : recruitment@ukhsa.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : recruitment@ukhsa.gov.uk
Further information
