UK Health Security Agency
Healthcare Scientific Support Worker
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Birmingham
Job Summary
Are you looking to start or develop your career in laboratory science within a nationally recognised healthcare organisation? The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) Public Health Laboratory in Birmingham is seeking a Healthcare Scientist Support Worker (HSSW) to join our friendly and dedicated team.
Working in partnership with University Hospitals Birmingham, our laboratory provides a comprehensive microbiology service to Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital, Solihull Hospital and GP practices across the region. This is an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a busy, modern microbiology laboratory, supporting vital diagnostic services that directly contribute to patient care and public health.
Working for your organisation
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.
Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers
Job Description
Under the local supervision of a Registered Biomedical Scientist:
- Sample receipt and handing.
- Sample preparation and reagent preparation following protocols.
- Clerical duties, including use of computers, and data entry, telephone enquiries.
- Provide results service to wards, GP’s and other hospitals
- Dealing with patients, visitors and deliveries.
- Monitor and maintain appropriate stock levels, receipt of deliveries and preparation of orders.
- Cleaning and disinfection of equipment and laboratory areas.
- Monitoring and routine maintenance of equipment.
- Perform basic manual and automated tests according to protocols.
- Disposal of tissue and patient samples in accordance with relevant guidelines
- Autoclaving of waste material and patient samples (involves moderate lifting).
- Work 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.
- To participate in Quality Assurance and Quality Control activities and assist the department in maintaining UKAS Accreditation.
- To participate in audit processes, drug trials, research projects as required.
- Job Holder is expected to occasionally work under remote supervision of a Registered Biomedical Scientist following defined SOP/protocols and would be expected to refer non routine issues to their supervisor.
- Assistance with training of junior HSSW staff and trainee BMS staff.
- Preparation of samples prior to sending away to reference laboratories.
Main duties of the job
As a Healthcare Scientist Support Worker, You Will:
- Provide technical and administrative support to scientific staff, assisting with the processing, preparation and handling of clinical specimens.
- Work as part of a skilled multidisciplinary team and rotate through a variety of microbiology laboratory sections, gaining broad experience across different service areas.
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This role is ideal for an organised, motivated individual with excellent attention to detail, strong teamwork skills and a commitment to delivering high-quality laboratory services.
Please note, the above is not exhaustive.
As a Healthcare Scientist Support Worker, You Will:
- Provide technical and administrative support to scientific staff, assisting with the processing, preparation and handling of clinical specimens.
- Work as part of a skilled multidisciplinary team and rotate through a variety of microbiology laboratory sections, gaining broad experience across different service areas.
This role is ideal for an organised, motivated individual with excellent attention to detail, strong teamwork skills and a commitment to delivering high-quality laboratory services.
Please note, the above is not exhaustive.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
- GCSE grade C or above in Maths & English or equivalent experience working in a laboratory
- Experience of using computerised data systems
- Basic knowledge of Health & Safety
- Previous experience working in an administrative environment
- Previous experience of using computerised data systems
- Experience of manual handling task
Desirable Criteria
- Previous experience of working in a microbiology laboratory
- Previous experience of working in a health care environment
- Knowledge of laboratory consumables
Alongside your salary of £25,651, UK Health Security Agency contributes £7,431 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).
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 (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
Success profiles Success Profiles - GOV.UK
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) 750 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 750 words. We will not consider any words over 750.
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
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If used, the pile(s) ‘Meets all essential criteria’ will proceed to shortlisting.
Shortlisting:
In the event of a large number of applications we may conduct an initial sift, on the lead criteria of:
GCSE grade C or above in Maths and English or equivalent experience working in a laboratory
Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications or large amount of successful candidates.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview
Success profiles Success Profiles - GOV.UK
You will be invited to a face to face interview at UK Health Security Agency Public Health Laboratory Birmingham, Heartlands Hospital, Bordesley Green East, Birmingham, B9 5ST.
If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.
Behaviours and Strengths will be tested at interview.
The Behaviours Tested During The Interview Stage Will Be:
Seeing the big picture Communicating and influencing Working together (Lead behaviour) Delivering at pace
Strengths will be assessed via strength based questions.
Interviews dates are to be confirmed.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Incident Response Activity
From time to time, the role holder may be required to support UKHSA’s incident response activity by contributing their appropriate expertise within an Incident Cell; during such periods, supported by the line manager, this work will take priority over normal day-to-day responsibilities, commensurate with their grade, skills and experience.
Qualifications And Registrations
For roles where specific qualifications or registrations are required, successful applicants will be asked to provide appropriate evidence. Employment cannot commence until satisfactory documentation has been received and verified.
Location
This role is being offered as laboratory based at our site in Birmingham.
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.
Please note, there is no hybrid working 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).
Future location
UKHSA is investing in a new state-of-the-art National Biosecurity Centre in Harlow, Essex, which will eventually bring together teams currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale and Porton Down. For more details, please see: [Huge biosecurity centre investment to boost pandemic protection - GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/government/
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