Healthcare Science Support Officer (Laboratory Assistant)

Addenbrooke’s Hospital. Cambridge

Job Summary 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.

The post holder will act as a laboratory assistant to provide support to the scientific team providing services to patients and clients as an aid to clinical diagnosis.

You will be expected to work 37.5 hours. The Cambridge laboratory operates a 24/7 shift pattern to which you will be expected to contribute.

• Works as part of Laboratory Team
• Job holder would be expected to rotate through various managed units within Microbiology

Job Holder may be expected to provide emergency cover between the laboratories in East of England.

Job Description

• 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 manual, semi-automated and automated tests according to protocols.
• Disposal of patient samples in accordance with relevant guidelines
• Autoclaving of waste material and patient samples (involves moderate lifting).
• Portering duties, exchange of gas cylinders (involves moderate lifting).
• Work in a safe manner in accordance with Laboratory Health and Safety policies and procedures.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities 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.

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.

Assisting in the production of bacteriological culture media.

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

This list of duties is not exhaustive.

• 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 manual, semi-automated and automated tests according to protocols.
• Disposal of patient samples in accordance with relevant guidelines
• Autoclaving of waste material and patient samples (involves moderate lifting).
• Portering duties, exchange of gas cylinders (involves moderate lifting).
• Work in a safe manner in accordance with Laboratory Health and Safety policies and procedures.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities 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.

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.

Assisting in the production of bacteriological culture media.

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

This list of duties is not exhaustive.

Person specification

Essential Role Criteria:

• 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.
• Good time keeping.
• Flexible approach to work.
• Ability to follow written protocols

Desirable Role Criteria:

• Previously worked in Laboratory
• Previous work experience
• Experience of working in a healthcare environment
• Evidence of on-going training and development

Alongside your salary of £27,335, UK Health Security Agency contributes £7,918 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• 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 (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.

Stage 1: Application &​ Sift Competency Based You Will Be Required To Complete An Application Form. You Will Be Assessed On The Listed 8 Essential Criteria, And This Will Be In The Form Of A:

• Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• 750 word supporting statement

This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role.

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 your CV.

Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 750 words. We will not consider any words over 750 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 :

• Clear communicator with good writing, data entry and telephone skills ensuring accuracy

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.

S tage 2: Interview Competency Based

You will be invited to a face to face interview. If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Knowledge, experience, skills &​ abilities will be tested at interview

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 based as office/lab-based at our site in Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.

Security Clearance Level Requirement Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-Terrorist Check. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years to obtain Counter Terrorism Check (CTC). UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting at this higher level and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder / Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Eligibility Criteria Across government: This vacancy is open to all Civil Service employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodi