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Job summary

Main area
Science
Grade
Civil Service: Administrative Officer (AO)
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
  • Job share
  • Flexible working
37.5 hours per week
Job ref
919-JP-300339-EXT
Employer
UK Health Security Agency
Employer type
Public (Non NHS)
Site
Manchester
Town
Manchester
Salary
£23,489 - £25,394 per annum, pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
06/01/2025 23:59

Employer heading

UK Health Security Agency logo

Healthcare Scientific Support Worker / Medical Laboratory Assistant

Civil Service: Administrative Officer (AO)

The United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is a system leader for health security; taking action internationally to strengthen global health security, providing trusted advice to government and the public and reducing inequalities in the way different communities experience and are impacted by infectious disease, environmental hazards, and other threats to health.

UKHSA’s remit, as an agency with a global-to-local reach, is to protect the health of the nation from infectious diseases and other external threats to health. As the nation’s expert national health security agency UKHSA will:

  • Prevent: anticipate threats to health and help build the nation’s readiness, defences and health security
  • Detect: use cutting edge environmental and biological surveillance to proactively detect and monitor infectious diseases and threats to health
  • Analyse: use world-class science and data analytics to assess and continually monitor threats to health, identifying how best to control and mitigate the risks
  • Respond: take rapid, collaborative and effective actions nationally and locally to mitigate threats to health when they materialise
  • Lead: lead strong and sustainable global, national, regional and local partnerships designed to save lives, protect the nation from public health threats and reduce inequalities.

Job overview

This is an exciting opportunity to join one of the largest microbiology departments in England as an AO grade Healthcare Scientific Support Worker/Medical Laboratory Assistant. The Manchester Medical Microbiology Partnership (MMMP) is a collaboration between UKHSA and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.

The microbiology partnership provides comprehensive routine services and specialist services to a wide range of hospitals across the North West and beyond and Ìýalso assists in any UKHSA co-ordinated responses or activity of a national/international nature, e.g. Bioterrorism incident or major disease e.g enteric outbreaks, COVID19, SARS.

The department employs around 130 staff and has a workload in excess of 1.2 million specimens covering major clinical specialties including respiratory medicine, transplantation, burns, renal medicine, urology & paediatrics. The department embraces all aspects of a modern clinical bacteriology service combining traditional methodologies with laboratory automation.

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.Ìý

You will be expected to work 37.5 hours, flexible between the hours of 8am - 8pm Monday to Sunday.

Main duties of the job

  • Working as part of Laboratory Team
  • Rotate through various managed units within Microbiology
  • Sample receipt and handing
  • Sample preparation and reagent preparation following protocols
  • ÌýClerical 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
  • Work in a safe manner in accordance with Laboratory Health and Safety policies and procedures

Working for our organisation

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.  Ìý

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

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.

You would be using automated equipment and assist with its Ìýmaintenance within Containment Level 2 laboratories.

You would need to participate in Quality Assurance and Quality Control activities, and assist the department in maintaining UKAS accreditation.

The postholder would participate in audit processes, drug trials, research projects as required. You would be assisting in the production of bacteriological culture media.

You may be expected to provide emergency cover between the laboratories at Manchester Medical Microbiology Partnership.

Selection Process DetailsÌý

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 ÌýÌý

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the below listed 4 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a: Ìý

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

This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria. Ìý

The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.

Please be aware that you will be assessed on the below listed 6 essential criteria, rather than the full list on the job description document.

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

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

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.Ìý

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.Ìý

Stage 2: Interview (Competency based)Ìý

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.Ìý

Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview.Ìý

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.Ìý

Location

This role is based at UKHSA Manchester, Manchester Royal Infirmary, M13 9WL.Ìý

If 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. InÌý exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting andÌýapplicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Eligibility Criteria

 Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal ²¹±è±è±ô¾±³¦²¹²Ô³Ù²õ).  Ìý

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.  Ìý

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is a 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. Ìý

Person specification

Qualifications & Experience

Essential criteria
  • Previously worked in Laboratory
  • Experience of working in a health care environment
  • Clear communicator with good writing, data entry and telephone skills ensuring accuracy
  • Able to work on own initiative, organising and prioritising own workload to set deadlines

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Carer Confident -Accomplished

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Documents to download

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Jon Payne
Job title
Recruitment Suppport
Email address
[email protected]