JOB SUMMARY

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.

JOB DESCRIPTION

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 guidelinesAutoclaving 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

Please see the job description for the full list of duties and responsibilities.

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION AND SIFT

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the 10 essential criteria that have been selected from the job description, 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.

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

Please note only those meeting the minimum criteria will be taken through to shortlist.

Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:

• GCSE’s (grade C or above) in English, maths and science; or educated to NVQ 2 level in a relevant subject, or equivalent level of qualification, or significant equivalent previous proven experience

Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered.
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.
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.

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)
• 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

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 guidelinesAutoclaving 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 superviso