University Hospital Southampton NHS FT
Laboratory Scientific Technician
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Job Overview
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.
Please see below for detailed job description of the role.
Main Duties of the Job
The Microbiology Department at UHS is excited to advertise an opportunity for a laboratory technician with a strong background in molecular microbiology.
Candidates must have a BSc (Hons) degree in an appropriate biological science related subject area and preferably experience in molecular diagnostic techniques.
The department processes over 1,000,000 specimens per year. We employ almost 100 staff and provide a comprehensive 7-day service covering bacteriology, mycobacteriology, mycology, virology, serology and parasitology and molecular testing.
We also participate in a wide range of research studies and have close links to Trust and university teams.
We use a variety of equipment in our department including MALDI-ToF, automated sample analysers (GeneXpert, BioFire, Liaison), Qiagen and Kingfisher NA extraction platforms, ABI Quantstudio real-time PCR platforms and the Oxford Nanopore MinION and GridION DNA sequencers.
We are part of a national laboratory network integrating metagenomic next generation sequencing into critical care diagnostics.
Please note a high volume of applications may result in the advert closing early.
Working for Our Organisation
University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.
Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast.
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At UHS, we’re committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients.
At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognising that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We’re committed to creating an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute.
Detailed Job Description and Main Responsibilities
Your Responsibilities
What You’ll Do
- Support development and research work
- Support the diagnostic and sequencing services
- Analyse data generated from all areas of work undertaken
- Participate in local and national meetings
- Oversee the performance characteristics of our tests and ensure that protocols are followed
- Support the development of new diagnostic assays
What We’re Looking For
- You’ll need to have a BSc in a relevant subject
- Experience in molecular microbiology techniques is desirable
- You need to have excellent organisational and communication skills
- You will train staff and troubleshoot issues as and when they may arise
- Able to work carefully and accurately through protocols and SOPs
- You will need to work well as part of a team and individually
Person Specification
Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience
Essential Criteria
- BSc (Hons) degree in an appropriate biological science related subject area e.g., clinical microbiology
- Experience of working in a laboratory with demonstrable competence in most basic laboratory skills
- Already have or be able to achieve competency for working in a biological containment level 3 laboratory
- Knowledge of laboratory IT systems and range of other applications including MS Office
- Able to work carefully and accurately through protocols and SOPs
- Deal calmly and politely with personnel who are working in areas of pressure
- Ability to work independently and as a member of a team
- Ability to critically analyse and interpret scientific data
- Ability to accurately record scientific data for review by the Clinical Scientists/Managers/Consultants
- Ability to use judgement and decision making to resolve issues and for troubleshooting any faults, errors or anomalies
- Demonstrate capabilities to manage own workload and make informed decisions, working to tight and often changing timescales
- Ability to plan over short-, medium- and long-term timeframes and adjust plans and resource requirements accordingly.
- To maintain scientific and specialist knowledge commensurate with the post, including undergoing further training when necessary
- Ability to train other staff in laboratory techniques and processes whilst following protocols and SOPs
- Conscientious, methodical approach to duties
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Desirable Criteria
- MSc degree with emphasis on clinical microbiology
- Good understanding of basic theoretical and practical microbiology
- Experience in molecular microbiology techniques (diagnostics and/or genetics)
- Experience of genetic data analysis and bioinformatics software
- Interest in new molecular diagnostic and analytical technologies
- To understand the performance parameters of diagnostic assays (sensitivity, specificity, reproducibility etc) and how these are measured
Trust Values
Essential Criteria
- Patients First
- Always Improving
- Working Together
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