Healthcare Science Support Worker

Job description

Job responsibilities

As a Healthcare Science Support Worker, you will act as a laboratory assistant to support the scientific team providing services to patients and clients as an aid to clinical diagnosis.

Your main duties and responsibilities will include:

• Sample receipt and handing
• Sample preparation and reagent preparation following protocols.Clerical duties, including use of computers, and data entry, telephone enquiries
• Providing results service to wards, GPs and other hospitals
• Dealing with patients, visitors and deliveries
• Monitoring and maintaining appropriate stock levels, receipt of deliveries and preparation of orders
• Cleaning and disinfection of equipment and laboratory areas
• Monitoring and routine maintenance of equipment
• Performing manual, semi-automated and automated tests according to protocols
• Disposal of patient samples in accordance with relevant guidelinesAutoclaving of waste material and patient samples (involves moderate lifting)
• Portering duties, exchange of gas cylinders (involves moderate lifting)
• Working 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
• Use of automated equipment and its cleaning and maintenance within Containment Level 2 laboratories
• Participating in Quality Assurance and Quality Control activities, and assist the department in maintaining UKAS accreditation
• Participating in audit processes, drug trials, research projects as required
• Assisting in the production of bacteriological culture media
• Occasionally working under remote supervision of a Registered Biomedical Scientist following defined SOP/protocols, and referring non-routine issues to their supervisor

Please see the job description for the full list of duties and responsibilities.

Selection Process Details

Stage 1 - Application and sift

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the 10 essential criteria that have been selected from the job description, and this will be in the form of

• an application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
• a 500 word Statement of Suitability. 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.

The application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked separately, and you must pass both to move forward to interview.

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 only those meeting the minimum criteria will be taken through to shortlist.

Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:

• GCSEs (grade C or above) in English, maths and science; or educated to NVQ 2 level in a relevant subject, or equivalent level of qualification, or significant equivalent previous proven experience

Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered.

Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview.

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 - Competency

You will be invited to a remote interview.

Technical, experience and abilities will be tested at interview.

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 will be a lab-based role located at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge. The Cambridge laboratory operates a 24/7 shift pattern to which you will be expected to contribute.Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard and Counter Terrorism Check security vetting.

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.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• GCSE's (grade C or above) in English, maths and science; or educated to NVQ 2 level in a relevant subject, or equivalent level of qualification, or significant equivalent previous proven experience

Experience

Essential

• Clear communicator with good writing, data entry and telephone skills ensuring accuracy
• 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
• An ability to maintain confidentiality and trust
• Flexible approach to work
• Ability to follow written protocols
• An understanding of, and commitment to, equality of opportunity and good working relationships
• Good time keeping

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Cambridge UKHSA Laboratory

Hills Road

Cambridge

CB2 0QW

Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)