Healthcare Support Worker/Medical Laboratory Assistant
Description
- Job grade: Administrative Officer
- Contract type: Permanent, Loan, Secondment
- Length of employment: This role is Permanent
- Type of role: Science
- Working pattern: Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time
- Number of jobs available: 1
Location
Royal Infirmary - Clinical Sciences Building
About the job
Job summary
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
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.
Working for your 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.
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 description
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.
- 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 trouble shooting and correction of minor faults of automated equipment.
- clean and disinfection of 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
- to participate in the evaluation of new items of equipment and diagnostic reagents, under supervision
*Please be aware this list is not exhaustive*
Person specification
Essential Criteria
- GCSE or equivalent qualification in Maths and English and Sciences or equivalent experience in a lab based environment
- Previously worked in Laboratory
- Previous work experience
- Experience of working 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
- Ability to follow written protocols
Qualifications and Registrations
For roles where specific qualifications or registrations are required, successful applicants will be asked to provide appropriate evidence. Employment cannot commence until satisfactory documentation has been received and verified.
Incident Response Activity
From time to time, the role holder may be required to support UKHSA’s incident response activity by contributing their appropriate expertise within an Incident Cell; during such periods, supported by the line manager, this work will take priority over normal day-to-day responsibilities, commensurate with their grade, skills and experience.
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%
Things you need to know
Artificial intelligence
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
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a :
- Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
- 500 word Supporting Statement
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.
Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1,500 but your supporting statement must be no more than 500 words.
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 CV. 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 us your CV.
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
If used, the pile(s) ‘Meets all essential criteria’ and 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 :
- GCSE or equivalent qualification in Maths and English and Sciences or equivalent experience in a lab based environment
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview
You will be invited to a (single ) face to face interview at UKHSA Manchester Lab. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote 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 .
Please note that UKHSA is exploring options for the future of the Clinical Network Laboratories service and that further information will be shared as the review progresses.
Reserve List
If more than the required number of suitable candidates pass the interview criteria, you may be kept on a reserve list for 12 months subject to your agreement. You may be contacted, in merit-order, if similar roles with closely matching essential criteria become available and the department choose to appoint from a reserve list. The panel will assess if candidates meet the requirement of the role first, using a specific benchmark system. If you are interviewed for the post and do not meet the required threshold for the specified grade, your application may be assessed against a similar, lower grade role and you may be offered the post should one be available.
Eligibility Criteria - External
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants).
If this role is fixed term and you are not currently a Civil Servant, you will take up the post on a Fixed Term appointment; you may be able to take this role up as a Secondment. If you are an existing Civil Servant, based outside of UKHSA, you will take up the post as a loan which you will need your department to agree. Loans are normally agreed for a period of two years. However, this may be extended where required, subject to agreement between UKHSA and your home department. You cannot take the post up as a fixed term. If you are an existing UKHSA member of staff, you will take up the post as either a level transfer or a temporary promotion as per the UKHSA’s Pay policy. If this role is permanent, it may also be available as a loan (for existing Civil Servants only) or secondment arrangement, subject to business need and agreement from the hiring manager and, where applicable, the employee's home organisation
Location - Lab only Manchester
This role is being offered as lab based at our site in Manchester.
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.
Future location
UKHSA is investing in a new state-of-the-art National Biosecurity Centre in Harlow, Essex, which will eventually bring together teams currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale and Porton Down. For more details, please see: Huge biosecurity centre investment to boost pandemic protection - GOV.UK.
The new facilities will start becoming operational in the mid-2030s, with full completion by 2038. Staff will move in phases as facilities become available. If you're appointed to a role currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale or Porton Down, please note that we'll continue investing in these sites for the next decade. As we get closer to the transition, we'll provide full information about relocation support available to staff.
Reasonable Adjustments
The Civil Service is committed to making sure that our selection methods are fair to everyone. To help you during the recruitment process, we will consider any reasonable adjustments that could help you. An adjustment is a change to the recruitment process or an adjustment at work. This is separate to the Disability Confident Scheme. If you need an adjustment to be made at any point during the recruitment process you should contact the recruitment team in confidence as soon as possible to discuss your needs.
You can find out more information about reasonable adjustments across the Civil Service here:
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.
Internal Fraud check
If successful for this role as one aspect of pre-employment screening, applicant’s personal details – name, national insurance number and date of birth - will be checked against the Cabinet Office Internal Fraud Hub and anyone included on the database will be refused employment unless they can show exceptional circumstances. Currently this is only for External candidates to the Civil Service.
Security Clearance Level Requirement - Basic DBS + CTC
Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is:
- Baseline Personnel Security Standard
- Counter Terrorist Check
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
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
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Lab Recruitment
- Email : laboratory.recruitment@ukhsa.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : recruitment@ukhsa.gov.uk
Further information
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email: Complaints@ukhsa.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk
Share this page
- Gmail