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We are looking for a Healthcare Scientific Support Worker to support our Microbiology laboratory at Cambridge. The Microbiology laboratory at Cambridge current provides services to Addenbrooke’s, Royal Papworth, and the E&N Herts Hospitals, the surrounding district, and other NHS Laboratories. It has active research and epidemiological interests. The laboratory undergoes assessment against UKAS ISO 15189 standards, and has strong teaching interests.

Set on the outskirts of the university city of Cambridge, Addenbrooke’s Hospital is one of the top hospitals in the UK and a thriving NHS Foundation Trust. Addenbrooke’s is closely associated with leading educational providers including the University of Cambridge and is a major centre for biomedical research and education.

The department undertakes a wide range of routine and specialist microbiological and molecular investigations. It makes extensive use of automation including Qiagen platforms, Biofire, BacTec, Sedimax, MGIT, Vitek, Centaur XP, Panther, Liaison and Vidas analysers and Kiestra.

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

As a Healthcare Science Support Worker, you will act as a laboratory assistant to support the scientific team providing services to patients and clients as an aid to clinical diagnosis.

Your main duties and responsibilities will include:
Sample receipt and handing

Sample preparation and reagent preparation following protocols.
Clerical duties, including use of computers, and data entry, telephone enquiries

Providing results service to wards, GPs and other hospitals

Dealing with patients, visitors and deliveries

Monitoring and maintaining appropriate stock levels, receipt of deliveries and preparation of orders

Cleaning and disinfection of equipment and laboratory areas

Monitoring and routine maintenance of equipment

Performing 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, exchange of gas cylinders (involves moderate lifting)

Working in a safe manner in accordance with Laboratory Health and Safety policies and procedures

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

Use of automated equipment and its cleaning and maintenance within Containment Level 2 laboratories

Participating in Quality Assurance and Quality Control activities, and assist the department in maintaining UKAS accreditation

Participating in audit processes, drug trials, research projects as required

Assisting in the production of bacteriological culture media

Occasionally working under remote supervision of a Registered Biomedical Scientist following defined SOP/protocols, and referring non-routine issues to their supervisor

Selection Process Details

Stage 1 - Application and sift (competency-based assessments)

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the 10 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of

an application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)

a 500 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 separately, and you must pass both to move forward to interview.

Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered

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

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

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview - Competency

You will be invited to a remote interview. Technical, experience and abilities will be tested at interview.

Expected Timeline:
Advert close: 7th November 2024 at 23:55. Please note that late applications will not be accepted.

Interviews: TBC

Please note these dates could be subject to change.

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 will be a lab-based role located at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge. The Cambridge laboratory operates a 24/7 shift pattern to which you will be expected to contribute. Please note 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 meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard and Counter Terrorism Check security vetting.

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.