Healthcare Scientific Support Worker/ Medical Laboratory Assistant

UK Health Security Agency; Manchester; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health security organization in Manchester is seeking a Lab Assistant to support Biomedical Scientists in clinical specimen processing. The role offers full training and the opportunity to work in a dynamic laboratory environment. Candidates should have GCSEs in Maths and English and be methodical, organised, with strong communication skills. The position includes a salary of £25,651 plus pension contributions.

Benefits

Learning and development tailored to your role

Civil Service pension with employer contribution

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Good standard of education (to GCSE level or equivalent) required.
• Ability to follow written protocols.
• Flexible approach to work with good time keeping.

Responsibilities

• Assist Biomedical Scientists with clinical specimens.
• Perform manual and automated tests under supervision.
• Ensure data integrity in laboratory information systems.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication skills

Problem solving

Organisational skills

Education

GCSE grade C or above in Maths and English

Relevant experience in a lab environment

Job description

This role is being offered as lab/office based at our lab site in Manchester. 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. No formal qualifications are required although a good standard of education (to GCSE level or equivalent) is necessary and as the department is computerised, keyboard skills would be a great advantage. You should be methodical and organised; with good communication skills and the ability to work effectively. Full training will be provided. You will be assisting Biomedical Scientists in receiving, preparing and examining clinical specimens and your duties will include the preparation of reagents, stock and record maintenance. Other duties include general clerical tasks, telephone enquiries and post. The laboratory is accredited by UKAS, and we actively encourage CPD activities. The department requires staff to support the delivery of a comprehensive Microbiology service within a rotational shift pattern which will include shifts throughout the department 24 hours a day / 7days per week.

Responsibilities

• Work under remote supervision of a Registered Biomedical Scientist following defined Examination Procedure's (EP's) and would be expected to refer non routine issues to their supervisor.
• Exercise judgement and interpretation to generate laboratory reports in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.
• Ensure prompt notification or referral of unusual and urgent results to medical staff, BMS and Nursing staff.
• Report by telephone urgent results to medical or nursing staff, GP's and other hospitals according to departmental policies.
• Be responsible for generating worksheets and checking for outstanding work using the laboratory computer systems.
• Perform manual and automated tests according to protocols following EPs, to a high degree of accuracy and precision, under the supervision of a BMS.
• Perform initial review of quality control/assay performance data prior to BMS approval.
• Assess the suitability and appropriateness of samples received and liaise with scientific and nursing staff for action or advice following departmental sample acceptance policy.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive patient information gained within the department.
• Ensure data integrity when entering demographics and results into the laboratory information system according to local procedures and protocols.
• Do sample preparation, processing bodily fluids and materials, including high-risk specimens and reagent preparation following protocols.
• Be responsible for selection of appropriate reagents, calibrators for laboratory tests to be performed following departmental EP's.
• Process 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.
• Be responsible for sending samples to external reference laboratories, selecting tests, appropriate labs and ensuring paperwork is correct and UKAS compliant.
• Monitor, routine maintenance, minor troubleshooting and correction of minor faults of automated equipment.
• Clean and disinfect equipment and laboratory areas.
• Dispose of tissue and patient samples in accordance with relevant guidelines.
• Monitor and maintain appropriate stock levels, receipt of deliveries and preparation of orders.
• Work within a rotational shift pattern, which may include shifts throughout 24 hours a day/7days per week period, to meet the service needs of the department.
• Deal with patients, visitors and deliveries as required.
• Be responsible for the preparation of identification tests and antimicrobial susceptibility tests.
• Use microscopes for identification of microorganisms.
• Research and development: To assist in any agreed research projects undertaken by the department, including clinical trials.
• Participate in the evaluation of new items of equipment and diagnostic reagents, under supervision.

Application Process

At sift stage you will be assessed against all the essential criteria listed in the job advert. You will be required to complete an:

• 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.

You will receive a score for your application form (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). To note feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview stage (competency based). You will be invited to a face to face interview, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) 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 the application may be withdrawn.

Security Clearance and Nationality Requirements

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard and a basic disclosure and barring security check. Successful candidates must also undergo a criminal record check and may require a counter-terrorist check.

• UK nationals
• Nationalities of the Republic of Ireland
• Nationalities of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• Nationalities of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• Nationalities of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the 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

When 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 the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance.

Qualifications

• GCSE grade C or above in Maths and English and Sciences or equivalent, or relevant experience within a lab based environment
• Previously worked in Laboratory
• Previous work experience in a health care environment
• 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
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships

Benefits

• 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%

This is an exciting opportunity to join one of the largest microbiology departments in England. The Manchester Medical Microbiology Partnership (MMMP) is a collaboration between UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) is the leading Trust for teaching, research and specialist services in the North West of England. The Microbiology delivered from the Manchester Royal Infirmary site employs around 130 staff and has a workload of approximately 1.2 million specimens. The department embraces all aspects of a modern clinical bacteriology service combining traditional methodologies with laboratory automation.

Alongside your salary of £25,651, UK Health Security Agency contributes £7,431 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. We pride ourselves as 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.