Medical Laboratory Assistant

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.

The Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory (RIPL) provide a front-line diagnostic service for the detection of Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers (Ebola, Lassa, CCHF, Marburg), Arboviruses, Rickettsiae, and a range of ACDP Hazard Group 3 bacteria including Bacillus anthracis and Francisella tularensis. RIPL is also the provider of the Leptospira acute diagnostic service and the Lyme disease specialist unit diagnostic service. We are UKAS ISO15189 accredited and hold approval to provide IBMS registration and Virology specialist portfolios.

The post holder will provide support to the laboratory and registered Biomedical Scientists. This will include but is not limited to, specimen reception support, patient data entry and support with performing a wide range of diagnostic assays, utilising both serological and molecular techniques. The highest standards of quality and safety are essential.

As a laboratory support worker you will provide both technical and administrative provision for the specialist reference laboratory work undertaken within RIPL in accordance with UKHSA and laboratory policies and procedures with particular focus on areas of data entry, laboratory housekeeping and stock control.

Technical work using ELISA, PCR and CL3 techniques will also be performed, following relevant training.

Job description

Main duties of the job

• Participate in the receipt of biological samples safely for the laboratory according to standard operating procedures and risk assessments, utilising laboratory equipment such as centrifuges and microbiology safety cabinets, and recording of clinical patient information into the laboratory information management systems (LIMS) database.
• Provide support for tasks across the laboratory to ensure diagnostic testing is completed and the needs of the RIPL service provision are met. This includes taking responsibility for stock control procedures within the laboratory, supervising an area within the laboratory to ensure all equipment is maintained and calibrated to schedule, and that relevant documents available and up to date.
• Ensure all work is undertaken in accordance with safety and ISO15189 quality requirements and complete any training requirements as required for this post.

This list is not exhaustive.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Receive and process biological samples safely according to standard operating procedures and risk assessments
• Recording of clinical patient information into the laboratory information management systems (LIMS) database
• Work independently and within a team to support completion of diagnostic testing to meet the needs of the RIPL service provision
• Provide resilience for answering of queries via the RIPL telephone line
• Operate, maintain and clean a range of laboratory equipment safely, e.g. centrifuges, balances, microbiology safety cabinets, and pipettes
• Act as laboratory supervisor for specific area ensuring equipment is maintained and calibrated and relevant documentation is available and up to date
• Perform testing for environmental anthrax involving specimen processing in an ACDP 3/SAPO laboratory
• Comply with waste disposal protocols
• Maintain a clean, safe and tidy working environment
• Perform stock control procedures for reagent and consumable stocks within the laboratory
• Play a leading role in training of junior and new staff
• Ensure all work is undertaken in accordance with safety and ISO15189 quality requirements and complete any training requirements as required for this post
• Perform other duties required by the line manager
• Escalate risks that can’t be controlled to the senior management team
• Engage in equality and diversity principles and maintain a culture of inclusion and belonging by actively contributing to a workplace where diverse perspectives are valued and respected
• To maintain a positive attitude to the work of the laboratory and other members of the team
• To ensure health, safety and welfare are afforded priority and to demonstrate commitment to health, safety and welfare of self, staff and visitors and comply with relevant UKHSA health and safety policies at all times
• Notify accidents, near misses, dangerous situations and shortcomings in health and safety via the appropriate management structure
• To report any personal sickness (during and after such an event) that may have potentially been caused by or may impact upon work, in line with the UKHSA Sickness Absence management policy

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• GCSE English and Maths at C grade or above or relevant experience working in a laboratory
• Experience of working in a regulated environment
• Ability to work in a team and individually
• Good communication, organisational and time management skills
• Intermediate keyboard skills
• Ability to prioritize activities and workload against conflicting demands
• Able to participate in surge/outbreak cover situations as required
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems

Desirable Criteria

• Experience in handling clinical specimens

Benefits

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. 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

Stage 1: Application and Sift

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Experience, Technical skills and Strengths.

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 8 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

• Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• 1000 word supporting statement.

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

The Application form and supporting statement will be marked together.

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.

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

Those falling into the 'Meets all essential criteria' will progress to Interview.

Shortlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we may conduct an initial sift, on the lead criteria of:

• GCSE English and Maths at C grade or above or relevant experience working in a laboratory
• Experience of working in a regulated environment
• Ability to work in a team and individually

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.

Behaviours, Technical Skills and Strengths will be assessed at interview.

Technical skills will be assessed through technical based questions. Which will based upon Laboratory skills and compliance.

The behaviours assessed will be :

• Making effective decisions (Lead behaviour)
• Communicating and influencing
• Working together
• Working at pace

Interview dates are to be confirmed. Please note, these dates are 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 role is being offered as lab based role at our Scientific Campus in Porton.

Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.

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.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-terrorist Check.

If 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 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.

Eligibility

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants).

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: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments/

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 https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

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.

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 : Nigel Poole
• Email : Nigel.Poole@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 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 here.