Healthcare Scientist Support Worker

This post is positioned within the Clinical Services Unit (CSU) of Reference Microbiology Services.
Microbiology reference laboratories undertake complex and highly skilled techniques which often require nationally or internationally unique capabilities or facilities.
Reference laboratories are required to provide authoritative, final and validated analysis for complex clinical or food microbiological problems and be innovative in driving microbiological methodology developments and standards.
They have a key role in the provision of expert advice to government and other national and international agencies, risk assessment for new and emerging microbiological threats and play an important role in teaching and training organism specific and subject matter expertise to all grades of professional medical, nursing, scientific and technical staff.
The work of microbiology reference laboratories includes clinical microbiological advice and diagnosis, complex reference testing, service delivery, methodology development, microbial epidemiology, investigation of national and uncommon outbreaks, response to international health alerts, and advice on the risks posed by various infections. Clinical samples and isolates are received from public health departments, the National Health Service and commercial laboratories across the UK and internationally for specialist testing, characterisation and susceptibility testing., Working as a Healthcare Scientist Support Worker, you will be an integral part of the team within CSU. With the support of your manager and other teammates, you will process specimens received and leveraging advanced scientific technology, such as various extraction platforms, to aid in downstream processes.
Adaptability is crucial, the role requires someone capable of managing multiple tasks efficiently and delivering work in a timely manner.
There will be extensive collaborative work, particularly working with other units within the Virus Reference Department, to ensure our laboratory services are upheld to the highest standards.
You will adeptly utilise databases and software packages, including Excel, Word and oversee the general maintenance of the laboratory.
Quality and governance are paramount; working closely with the Quality Assurance Manager and Technical Manager, ensuring we adhere to UKAS and other accreditation standards, and will actively contribute to quality assurance and audit programs.
A selection of the duties are as follows: -
+ Process specimens received and undertake the related tasks in the various sections of the laboratory, leading to the reporting and interpretation of results in accordance with agreed policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs)
Contribute to the proper storage and management of the laboratory specimens
Work as part of a multidisciplinary team within the CSU and contribute to the provision of a reference service for microbiological samples.
+ Carry out sample tracking; analysis and archiving of samples received
+ Work independently or as part of a team to undertake routine preparation and examination of variety of samples
+ Be competent in the use of the laboratory’s IT systems and provide data to more senior staff as appropriate
+ Ensure laboratory is kept clean, tidy and well stocked and that equipment is monitored and maintained
+ Maintain a high standard of work
+ Contribute to developing the service of the laboratory so that service delivery is safe, effective and economical and follows best practice
+ Contribute to internal and external audit programmes and corrective actions
+ Suggest and implement quality improvements
+ Support R&D and surveillance projects in the laboratory
+ Assist with the organisation of, and participation in, suitable training programmes for staff and visitors.
+ Ensure best use of resources.
For a full list of the main duties and responsibilities of the role, please refer to the attached Job Description., You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the above 10 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of
• an Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• a 1000-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 together.
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 that candidates in the Disability Confident Scheme will be shortlisted if you meet the minimum essential criteria
Shortlisting
In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist based on the essential criteria.
+ Comprehensive experience of working in a lab or education to NVQ level 3 standard.
+ Able to work on own initiative, organising and prioritising own workload to set deadlines
Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment
Please do not exceed 1000 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview
Success Profiles
You will be invited to a face-to-face interview.
This vacancy is being assessed using Success Profiles. During the interview we will assess your Behaviours, Ability, Experience and Technical skills.
Behaviors to be assessed:
+ Working Together
+ Delivering at Pace
+ Managing a Quality Service
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Eligibility Criteria
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
Location
This role is based at Colindale. Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.
Security Clearance Level Requirement
Scientific campus: Colindale.
As you will be based at one of our scientific locations, 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.
International Police check
If you have spent more than 6 months abroad over the last 3 years you may need an International Police Check. This would not necessarily have to be in a single block, and it could be time accrued over that period.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Your application may be rejected and/or you may be subject to disciplinary action if evidence of plagiarism is detected. Examples of plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence (AI), as your own.
Careers website
Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
+ UK nationals
+ nationals of the Republic of Ireland
+ nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
+ individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
+ Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

+ GCSE in English, Maths and Science or equivalent.
+ Comprehensive experience of working in a lab or education to NVQ level 3 standard.
+ Knowledge and understanding of laboratory safety requirements and procedures.
+ Previous experience of working in a laboratory environment using computerised data systems.
+ Ability to work effectively as part of a team
+ Able to work on own initiative, organising and prioritising own workload to set deadlines
+ Able to follow standard operating procedures.
+ Well-developed physical skills, especially in the manipulation of pipettes and other laboratory equipment. Also, must be adept
+ and precise when handling samples
+ 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
+ An ability to maintain confidentiality and trust

Alongside your salary of £26,392, UK Health Security Agency contributes £7,645 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%