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Health Care Scientific Support Worker

NHS

Bristol

On-site

GBP 23,000 - 26,000

Full time

Yesterday

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Job summary

NHS seeks a Biomedical Scientist to support laboratory operations ensuring high standards of practice. The ideal candidate will handle specimen processing, assist in tests, and contribute to a dynamic team, with robust training and opportunities for professional growth provided.

Benefits

Comprehensive induction programme

Annual appraisal and CPD encouragement

Qualifications

GCSE or O level in Maths, English and Sciences (Grade C or above), or equivalent.
Basic knowledge of health and safety.
Effective communicator with clear writing skills.

Responsibilities

Process and prepare specimens in the laboratory.
Assist in setting up automated tests and follow laboratory protocols.
Perform clerical duties and assist in the training of staff.

Skills

Communication

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Organizational skills

Education

GCSE or O level in Maths, English and Sciences (Grade C or above) or equivalent

Relevant experience within a lab-based environment

Tools

Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)

Microsoft Office (Word and Excel)

The laboratory in Bristol is situated within the Severn Pathology suite of laboratories at North Bristol NHS Trust Southmead site. The laboratory receives in excess of 1 million specimens a year from a large number of clinical specialties across the Bristol and Bath hospital trusts which contribute to an interesting and varied workload.

The scope of this role is to learn and maintain good laboratory practice in the interests of the departmental commitment to provide an efficient service and to become a positive member of a team or teams in the function of service provision.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will report on biomedical investigations and utilise the appropriate testing to assist the Biomedical Scientists. You will rotate through different sections in the laboratory and be expected to supervise and train staff. You should be a good communicator and effective at prioritising competing workloads.

The laboratory is accredited by UKAS and we actively encourage CPD activities.

In return we will provide a comprehensive induction programme and you will be appraised on a yearly basis with a view to developing knowledge and skills where appropriate.

The department requires staff to support a rotational shift pattern, which may include shifts throughout a 24 hours a day/7days per week period, to meet the service needs of the department.

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

Under the supervision of a State Registered Biomedical Scientist:

To receive, sort, unpack, label and process specimens in the laboratory.
To understand the use of the laboratory information system (LIMS) and undertake data entry e.g. for samples received and referred.
To electronically request and receive tests and look up results etc.
To solve minor problems with mislabelled or mislaid samples and to generate worksheets.
Collect and transfer laboratory consumables and samples to and from delivery points, storage areas and workstations.
To accurately prepare samples for analysis.
To assist with the setting up of automated and semi-automated tests.
To follow various technical procedures e.g. Preparation of specimens Serological and Molecular techniques
To maintain a high standard of competence in the performance of all tests appropriate to grade and investigations carried out in that area, following appropriate training.
To perform technical work under the supervision of a BMS.
To ensure important or unusual results are drawn to the attention of senior staff and to report complaints or anomalies as soon as possible.
To use equipment in a safe and responsible manner.
To perform general laboratory duties e.g. checking and cleaning instruments/equipment, recording temperatures, preparing reagents and assistance with stock control.
To perform general clerical duties e.g. photocopying, filing, telephone answering, dealing with queries from clients, customers and other NHS staff and to undertake data entry.
Assist in the training of other HSSW staff.
To rotate through all relevant sections of the department as directed.
To respond to changes in laboratory protocols as directed.
To work in a conscientious and responsible manner ensuring care and accuracy.
To cover the duties of other HSSW staff in their absence where possible.
To receive goods and supplies into the laboratory.
To help prepare and dispatch items/samples for referral, transport and posting.
To issue specimen collection kits, containers and reagents to appropriate areas.
To undertake sterilisation and disposal of laboratory waste including collection of discard and waste material, transfer of laboratory waste to designated collection/disposal areas.
To undertake any reasonable task delegated by a senior member of staff.

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

GCSE or O level in Maths, English and Sciences (Grade C or above) or equivalent, or relevant experience within a lab based environment
Basic knowledge of health and safety and safe working practices
Previous experience of using computerised data systems, and working knowledge of Microsoft Office including Word and Excel.
Clear communicator with good writing, data entry and telephone skills ensuring accuracy and attention to detail
Ability to work effectively as part of a team
Able to work on own initiative, organising and prioritising own workload to set deadlines
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

Selection Process

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

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

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

This should outline how 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

Only those meeting all essential criteria will be taken through to shortlisting.

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

GCSE or O level in Maths, English and Sciences (Grade C or above) or equivalent, or relevant experience within a lab based environment
Basic knowledge of health and safety and safe working practices
Previous experience of using computerised data systems, and working knowledge of Microsoft Office including Word and Excel.

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

Please do not exceed 500 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.

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.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a face to face interview. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Knowledge, experience, skills and abilities will be tested at interview.

You will be asked to prepare and present a 510 minute presentation. The subject of this will be sent to you prior to 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 role is being offered as lab based at UKHSA Bristol, Southmead Hospital, BS10 5NB. Please note that 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 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.

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.

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

Application Form and Statement of Suitability
Questions on experience, knowledge and skills

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.

UKHSA Bristol, Pathology Sciences Building, Southmead Hospital

£23,875 to £25,394 a yearper annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time,Part-time,Job share,Flexible working

Reference number

919-JP-300934-EXT

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