UK Health Security Agency
Medical Laboratory Assistant
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Porton (Salisbury) Scientific Campus
Job Summary
The Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory (RIPL) provide a front-line diagnostic service for the detection of Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers (Ebola, Lassa, CCHF, Marburg), Arboviruses, Rickettsiae, and a range of ACDP Hazard Group 3 bacteria including Bacillus anthracis and Francisella tularensis. RIPL is also the provider of the Leptospira acute diagnostic service and the Lyme disease specialist unit diagnostic service. We are UKAS ISO15189 accredited and hold approval to provide IBMS registration and Virology specialist portfolios.
The post holder will provide support to the laboratory and registered Biomedical Scientists. This will include but is not limited to, specimen reception support, patient data entry and support with performing a wide range of diagnostic assays, utilising both serological and molecular techniques. The highest standards of quality and safety are essential.
As a laboratory support worker you will provide both technical and administrative provision for the specialist reference laboratory work undertaken within RIPL in accordance with UKHSA and laboratory policies and procedures with particular focus on areas of data entry, laboratory housekeeping and stock control. Technical work using ELISA, PCR and CL3 techniques will also be performed, following relevant training.
Job Description
- Participate in the receipt of biological samples safely for the laboratory according to standard operating procedures and risk assessments, utilising laboratory equipment such as centrifuges and microbiology safety cabinets, and recording of clinical patient information into the laboratory information management systems (LIMS) database.
- Provide support for tasks across the laboratory to ensure diagnostic testing is completed and the needs of the RIPL service provision are met. This includes taking responsibility for stock control procedures within the laboratory, supervising an area within the laboratory to ensure all equipment is maintained and calibrated to schedule, and that relevant documents available and up to date.
- Ensure all work is undertaken in accordance with safety and ISO15189 quality requirements and complete any training requirements as required for this post.
- Receive and process biological samples safely according to standard operating procedures and risk assessments.
- Recording of clinical patient information into the laboratory information management systems (LIMS) database.
- Work independently and within a team to support completion of diagnostic testing to meet the needs of the RIPL service provision.
- Provide resilience for answering of queries via the RIPL telephone line.
- Operate, maintain and clean a range of laboratory equipment safely, e.g. centrifuges, balances, microbiology safety cabinets, and pipette.
- Act as laboratory supervisor for specific area ensuring equipment is maintained and calibrated and relevant documentation is available and up to data.
- Perform testing for environmental anthrax involving specimen processing in an ACDP 3/SAPO laboratory.
- Comply with waste disposal protocols.
- Maintain a clean, safe and tidy working environment.
- Perform stock control procedures for reagent and consumable stocks within the laboratory.
- Play a leading role in training of junior and new staff.
- Ensure all work is undertaken in accordance with safety and ISO15189 quality requirements and complete any training requirements as required for this post.
- Perform other duties required by the line manager.
- Escalate risks that can’t be controlled to the senior management team.
- Engage in equality and diversity principles and maintain a culture of inclusion and belonging by actively contributing to a workplace where diverse perspectives are valued and respected.
- To maintain a positive attitude to the work of the laboratory and other members of the team.
- To ensure health, safety and welfare are afforded priority and to demonstrate commitment to health, safety and welfare of self, staff and visitors and comply with relevant UKHSA health and safety policies at all times.
- Notify accidents, near misses, dangerous situations and shortcomings in health and safety via the appropriate management structure.
- To report any personal sickness (during and after such an event) that may have potentially been caused by or may impact upon work, in line with the UKHSA Sickness Absence management policy.
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Person Specification
Essential Criteria
- GCSE English and Maths(or similar such as functional skills / O levels) at C grade or above or equivalent experience working in a laboratory.
- Experience of working in a regulated environment.
- Ability to work in a team and individually and an understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems.
- Good communication, organisational and time management skills.
- Intermediate keyboard skills.
- Ability to prioritize activities and workload against conflicting demands.
- Able to participate in surge/outbreak cover situations as required.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience in handling clinical specimens.
Salary and Benefits
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.
- 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.
Selection Process Details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, and Experience.
Required
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed essential criteria and this will be in the form of a:
- Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application).
- 1,000 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.
Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1,500 but your supporting statement must be no more than 1,000 words. We will not consider any words over 1,000 words.
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 CV. 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.
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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.
If used, the pile(s) ‘Meets all essential criteria’ and 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 English and Maths(or similar such as functional skills / O levels) at C grade or above or relevant experience working in a laboratory.
- Experience of working in a regulated environment.
Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications/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
You will be invited to a (single) face to face interview.
Behaviours, Experience, will be tested.
The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:
- Making Effective Decisions (Lead).
- Communicating and Influencing.
- Delivering at Pace.
- Working Together.
Eligibility Criteria - External
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants).
Location - Porton (Salisbury) Scientific Campus
This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our Scientific Campus in Porton.
We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month) working at our campus.
Based at our scientific campus, you will be required to have a minimum of 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.
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.
The new facilities will start becoming operational in the mid-2030s, with full completion by 2038. Staff will move in phases as facilities become available. If you're appointed to a role currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale or Porton Down, please note that we'll continue investing in these sites for the next decade. As we get closer to the transition, we'll provide full information about relocation support available to
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