UK Health Security Agency
Assistant Healthcare Scientist
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Colindale (Scientific Campus)
Job Summary
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.
The Assistant Healthcare Scientist/Healthcare Scientist Support Worker will work within the Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIRL) Reference Unit, supporting the delivery of UKHSA's national reference laboratory service for bacterial sexually transmitted infections. Working under supervision and following appropriate training and competency assessment, the post holder will undertake routine laboratory support activities in accordance with standard operating procedures, contributing to the safe, efficient and timely delivery of microbiology and molecular diagnostic services.
Job Description
- Assist in the delivery of UKHSA's national reference and surveillance services for bacterial sexually transmitted infections by undertaking routine laboratory support activities in accordance with standard operating procedures.
- Receive, prepare, process and track clinical specimens, maintaining accurate laboratory records using the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
- Perform routine microbiological, molecular and serological laboratory procedures following appropriate training, competency assessment and supervision.
- Support the day-to-day operation of the laboratory, including stock management, preparation of reagents and consumables, equipment monitoring, specimen archiving and waste disposal.
- Contribute to maintaining laboratory quality, health and safety standards by following UKHSA policies, quality management procedures and accreditation requirements.
- Work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team, responding to routine enquiries and providing support to colleagues to ensure an efficient laboratory service.
- Participate in mandatory training, competency assessments and continuous development to enhance technical knowledge and laboratory skills.
- Undertake other duties appropriate to the grade to support service delivery, business continuity and the effective operation of the laboratory.
Laboratory Support
- Receive, label, prepare and process clinical specimens in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOPs).
- Perform routine laboratory procedures following appropriate training, competency assessment and supervision.
- Assist with the preparation of laboratory media, reagents and consumables required for diagnostic and reference testing.
- Accurately enter and maintain laboratory records using the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and other laboratory databases.
- Support specimen receipt, storage, archiving and disposal, including maintaining paper and electronic archive systems.
- Record routine laboratory findings and enter results onto LIMS where no scientific interpretation is required, following established procedures.
- Respond to routine laboratory enquiries and assist with the receipt of visitors, deliveries and service engineers as required.
Laboratory Operations
- Assist with the day-to-day running of the laboratory to ensure an efficient and effective service.
- Monitor laboratory stock levels and assist with ordering, receiving and storing consumables and equipment.
- Carry out routine equipment checks and basic maintenance following training, reporting faults or discrepancies to senior staff.
- Ensure work areas are maintained in a clean, safe and organised condition.
- Participate in internal and external quality assurance activities where appropriate.
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Quality, Health and Safety
- Work in accordance with UKHSA policies, laboratory SOPs and quality management procedures.
- Comply with Health and Safety legislation, COSHH requirements and infection prevention and control procedures.
- Participate in routine quality assurance activities and maintain accurate laboratory documentation.
- Report equipment faults, incidents or health and safety concerns to an appropriate member of staff.
Team Working and Communication
- Work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary laboratory team to support the delivery of national reference and surveillance services.
- Communicate effectively with colleagues and respond appropriately to routine operational requests.
- Develop and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues across the department.
Training and Development
- Participate in induction, mandatory training and competency assessments appropriate to the role.
- Maintain and develop technical knowledge and practical laboratory skills through continuous learning and development.
- Participate in team meetings and contribute positively to service improvement activities where appropriate.
General Responsibilities
- Maintain confidentiality and comply with UKHSA Information Governance requirements.
- Demonstrate UKHSA values and behaviours in all aspects of work.
- Work flexibly to support service delivery and business continuity.
- Undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade and responsibilities of the post.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
- GCSEs (or equivalent qualification) including English, Mathematics and Science at Grade C/4 or above, or equivalent experience in a lab-based role.
- Ability to follow standard operating procedures accurately and work to a high standard of attention to detail.
- Good organisational and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Basic IT skills, with the ability to accurately record information using computer systems.
- Ability to work safely and follow laboratory health and safety procedures.
- Willingness to undertake training, competency assessments and continuous professional development.
- Flexible approach to work, with the ability to support changing service priorities and business continuity.
Desirable Criteria
- Previous experience working in a laboratory, healthcare or scientific environment.
- Experience of handling clinical specimens or working within a diagnostic or research laboratory.
- Familiarity with Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) or other electronic record systems.
- Awareness of laboratory quality systems, infection prevention and control, and health and safety requirements.
- Experience of working within a regulated or accredited environment, such as UKAS ISO 15189.
- Awareness of bacterial sexually transmitted infections and antimicrobial resistance.
Salary Information
Alongside your salary of £29,613, UK Health Security Agency contributes £8,578 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
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%
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
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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 abilities outlined in the essential criteria.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 7 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:
- Application form (Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
- 700 word supporting statement.
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.
You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V –please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV.
Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 700 words. We will not consider any words over 700 words.
Stage 2: Interview
You will be invited to a single face to face interview at our scientific campus in Colindale, 61 Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5EQ
If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.
Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview.
Interviews dates to be confirmed.
Location
This role is being offered as lab based at our Scientific Campus in Colindale. Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.
Security Clearance Level Requirement
Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-Terrorist Check.
Eligibility Criteria
External: Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants).
Nationality requirements
This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to
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