Job responsibilities
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, GPs 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 2 & 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.
- Preparation of samples prior to sending away to reference laboratories.
- Monitoring of Referred samples
- To help with telephone enquiries, following laboratory protocols, including principals of patient confidentiality. This includes being both clear and polite to callers, ascertaining the identity of the caller, giving out authorised results if required and referring calls to more senior staff as appropriate.
- Specific duties may focus around the extraction of Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA and molecular typing analysis of prepared PCR products.
- Assisting in sending out reports to our users.
Safety
In collaboration with the Laboratory Safety Team:
- Encourage a positive culture to promote health and safety within the service.
- Contribute to implementation of UKHSA health and safety policies and procedures in maintaining a safe working environment.
- Ensure that all tasks are carried out to the required safety standards.
- Report and document all accidents and incidents or near misses, dangerous situations or shortcomings in health and safety training instructions.
Your attention is drawn to the Health & Safety Act of 1974 which requires you to take reasonable care for yourself and others who may be affected by your acts and omissions at work; and to co-operate with your employer on any matters of health and safety.
Quality/Clinical Governance
In collaboration with Laboratory Quality Team:
- Ensure maintenance of a high standard of work in accordance with departmental quality policy.
- Participate in review of internal and external quality assurance programmes.
- Ensure compliance with UKAS and other accreditation and certification standards.
- Participate in review of Standard Operating Procedures.
Information Technology
- Contribute to the development of information technology systems and databases as required.
- Lead liaison with the IT manager for upkeep and development of interface links with automation systems in bacteriology.
Staff Management and Training
- Provide support for the training in the department
Support Services & Equipment
- Management of stock levels of consumables
General Employment Responsibilities
- Ensure confidentiality and conformance to Data Protection Act in collaboration with designated Caldicott Guardian, Data Protection Officer and Security of information Officer.
- Actively participate and maintain a continuing professional development programme.
- Develop professional/management expertise by undertaking further appropriate training as required.
- Represent UKHSA in local, regional, national committees/working groups as require
Other
The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by the directorate.
The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation.
Essential criteria:
- GCSE Sciences or equivalent experience working in a laboratory
- GCSE Maths and English or equivalent experience working in a laboratory
- Educated to NVQ 2 level in a relevant subject or equivalent level of qualification or significant equivalent previous proven experience.
- Previous experience of working in an administrative environment using computerised data systems.
- Clear communicator with good writing, data entry and telephone skills ensuring accuracy
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team
- Problem solving skills
Desirable criteria:
- Evidence of significant training and development within a microbiology laboratory
Selection Process Details
Success Profiles
This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours and Strengths.
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)
- 500 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 500 words. We will not consider any words over 500 words.
Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we may longlist into 3 piles of:
- Meets all essential criteria
- Meets some essential criteria
- Meets no essential criteria
If used, the pile 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 Sciences or equivalent experience working in a laboratory
Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications/large amount of successful candidates.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview
You will be invited to a single face to face interview.
If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.
Behaviours, Strengths and Experience will be tested at interview.
The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:
- Working Together
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at pace
- Seeing the bigger picture
Interviews dates 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.
Location
This role is being offered as office/lab based at our site in Birmingham, Heartlands Hospital.Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.
Security Clearance Level Requirement
Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-terrorist Check. If based at one of our labs, 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
Eligibility Criteria
External: Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants).
Salary Information
If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.
Market Pay Supplement (MPS) to bring pay up to minimum £28,164
