Apprentice Healthcare Scientist

Job summary

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.

Are you interested in laboratory work and supporting healthcare teams in diagnosing and treating bacterial diseases? This UKHSA apprenticeship allows you to gain hands‑on experience in a national reference laboratory while working towards a Level 6 IBMS‑accredited Biomedical Science degree.

You will learn how diseases affect the body, key molecular markers in pathogens, and the laboratory techniques used to support diagnosis. As you progress, you’ll explore the complex nature of disease and its impact on different biological systems.

This Healthcare Scientist Apprenticeship sits within UKHSA Reference Microbiology, a specialist national service providing testing for clinically important microorganisms, including hazard group 2 and 3 pathogens. The service supports partners across local, regional, national and international public health. As an apprentice, you will support routine laboratory operations, including receiving and registering samples, preparing and processing specimens, and carrying out molecular assays and conventional microbiological techniques under supervision. You’ll work to established standard operating procedures using a range of phenotypic and molecular methods for organism detection and identification.

Job description

This is initially a FTA (apprenticeship) for 54 months from start date with a potential for a permanent role.

To be eligible for this apprenticeship role, you must have lived continuously in the UK for the last 3 years and have a valid visa to work in the UK. Non-UK nationals must have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least three years before the apprenticeship starts.

To be eligible to apply you must NOT already have a qualification higher than A level/T level/NVQ Level 3 in Science.

Main Duties

• To provide technical laboratory support to enable the delivery of national and international reference services across all aspects of the work, including molecular and conventional microbiological analysis of a range of clinically significant pathogens.
• To work with senior staff to ensure that both the service and non-service work of the unit is carried out in a safe, effective, timely manner and operates to a quality system.
• To participate in research and development activities within the laboratory.

Service Delivery

• Receive, sort, unpack, label and process laboratory specimens.
• Assist in delivering safe, timely, high‑quality CL2 microbiological, serological and molecular testing following SOPs.
• Perform DNA‑based detection and typing for pathogens using methods such as real‑time PCR and whole genome sequencing (WGS).
• Support flexible laboratory responses to public‑health needs, including incident investigations or suspected deliberate releases.
• Assist in evaluating and implementing new laboratory techniques to improve effectiveness.
• Provide technical support, adjusting priorities to meet changing or urgent service requirements.
• Contribute to the efficient running and routine maintenance of laboratory equipment, including high‑value instruments, after training and competency assessment.
• Maintain stock levels required for service delivery and perform routine equipment performance checks.

Quality Management

• Follow all quality procedures and report non‑compliances to senior staff.
• Contribute to internal and external audits.
• Ensure compliance with UKAS, ISO 15189 and other relevant accreditation standards.
• Suggest improvements to enhance service quality.

Management

• Make decisions within established policies and operational processes, seeking guidance from senior staff when required.

Strategy, Policy and Service Development

• Support the implementation of new technologies and methods to improve testing quality and efficiency.

IT Infrastructure

• Use laboratory IT systems competently and provide required data to senior staff.

Security, Health & Safety

• Maintain confidentiality and comply with data protection and information‑security policies.
• Prioritise health, safety and welfare of self, staff and visitors.
• Attend mandatory safety training and implement safety objectives.
• Ensure risk assessments are followed and maintained.
• Report accidents, near misses and hazards appropriately.

Apprenticeship and Professional Development

• Work towards an accredited Biomedical Science degree and understand the importance of ongoing CPD.
• Develop a broad range of knowledge, skills and behaviours.
• Undertake workplace training and attend university teaching; 20% of paid time is protected for learning.
• Complete all mandatory training.
• Completion of the apprenticeship enables eligibility for HCPC registration as a Biomedical Scientist.

Key Working Relationships

• Internal: Laboratory management and staff across the MS division and UKHSA.
• External: Clinical and non‑clinical partners interacting with UKHSA laboratory services.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Educated to A level/ T level /NVQ level 3 standard or equivalent in Science or due to get qualification in the next 6 months.
• GCSE English Language grade 4/C – IB grade 4 Higher level
• GCSE Maths grade 4/C – IB grade 4
• Experience of using Microsoft Office software i.e., Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint or equivalent.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing. Take time to consider the best communication channel to use for the audience.
• Does not already hold a BSc/MSc Science degree that overlaps with the Biomedical Science degree apprenticeship.
• You are inquisitive, you seek out new information and look for new ways to develop yourself.
• Ability to follow guidance, SOPS, policies, and processes, including handling sensitive and confidential data.
• Ability to work well as part of a team.
• Ability to produce work that is accurate in a timely fashion, whilst multi-tasking and working in a busy environment.
• Ability to prioritise own work and work with minimal supervision.

Desirable Criteria

• Ability to collaborate with relevant people to get advice and information when unsure how to proceed with a task.
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.
• Knowledge and understanding of laboratory safety requirements and procedures.
• An understanding of quality assurance principles and procedures.
• Demonstrated practical laboratory skills, including manipulation of pipettes and other essential laboratory instruments.
• Some experience of working in a laboratory environment.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £29,613, UK Health Security Agency contributes £8,578 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• 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

Artificial intelligence 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 (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

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 & Sift

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 11 essential criteria and this will be in the form of a:

• Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• 1500 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.

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 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). Please do not email us your CV.

Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we may longlist into 3 piles of:

• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets some essential criteria
• Meets no essential criteria

If used, the pile ‘Meets all essential criteria’ 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:

• A‑level/T‑level/NVQ Level 3 in Science (or completing within 6 months).
• GCSE English Language grade 4/C (IB Higher Level 4).
• GCSE Maths grade 4/C (IB 4).

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications/large amount of successful candidates.

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

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a single face to face 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

Interviews dates to be confirmed.

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 our site in London, Colindale. Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

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 Counter-Terrorist Check.

You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years to obtain Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting at this higher level and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder / Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Eligibility Criteria

• External: Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants).
• To be eligible for this apprenticeship role, you must have lived continuously in the UK for the last 3 years and have a valid visa to work in the UK. Non-UK nationals must have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least three years before the apprenticeship starts.
• To be eligible to apply you must NOT already have a qualification higher than A level/T level/NVQ Level 3 in Science.

Salary Information

If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.

Market Pay Supplement (MPS) to raise minimum starting salary to £32,578.

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: Reasonable Adjustments , Civil Service Careers

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.

Careers website

Please visit our careers site for more information UKHSA Hub , Civil Service Careers

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

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

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

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).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

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

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Timor Miakhel
• Email : timor.miakhel@ukhsa.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@ukhsa.gov.uk

Further information

The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. 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 the UKHSA Complaints team via email at: 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 for further information: Home - Civil Service Commission

http://www.healthjobsuk.com/vacancy/7837302