Healthcare Science Support Worker
Job Description
Job summary
We are looking for a Healthcare Scientific Support Worker to support our Microbiology laboratory at Cambridge. The Microbiology laboratory at Cambridge current provides services to Addenbrooke's, Royal Papworth, and the E&N Herts Hospitals, the surrounding district, and other NHS Laboratories. It has active research and epidemiological interests. The laboratory undergoes assessment against UKAS ISO 15189 standards, and has strong teaching interests.
Main duties of the job
Set on the outskirts of the university city of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital is one of the top hospitals in the UK and a thriving NHS Foundation Trust. Addenbrooke's is closely associated with leading educational providers including the University of Cambridge and is a major centre for biomedical research and education.
The department undertakes a wide range of routine and specialist microbiological and molecular investigations. It makes extensive use of automation including Qiagen platforms, Biofire, BacTec, Sedimax, MGIT, Vitek, Centaur XP, Panther, Liaison and Vidas analysers and Kiestra.
About us
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 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 ...
