JOB SUMMARY

The Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory (RIPL) provide a front-line diagnostic service for the detection of Viral Haemorrhagic Fever (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 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.
A laboratory support worker able to give 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

Your key responsibilities will include to:

• Receive and process materials, blood, samples and/or tissues.
• Perform diagnostic testing on a range of clinical samples.
• Provide administrative support for specimen reception
• Support RIPL administrative staff.
• Operate a range of equipment, e.g. centrifuges, analysers, safety cabinets.
• Act as a laboratory supervisor ensuring equipment is suitably maintained and calibrated and that documentation relevant to the laboratory is kept up to date.
• Perform testing for environmental anthrax on plaster and soil samples involving specimen processing in an ACDP 3/SAPO laboratory.
• Comply with waste disposal protocols.
• Operate, maintain, clean and disinfect laboratory equipment safely.
• To identify to management any potential conflicts of interest which may impinge on their ability to perform their duties effectively as defined by UKHSA Conflict of Interest Policy.
• Perform basic calibration and equipment checks.
• Maintain clean safe and tidy working environment. Monitor laboratory stocks and supplies on a daily basis to help optimise use of consumables and to reduce wastage
• Undergo any training requirements as required for the post.
• Play a leading role in the training of junior and new staff.
• To ensure all work in undertaken in accordance with the UKHSA’s Code of Safety Practice and to work within UKAS ISO15189 Quality standard.
• To comply with UKHSA policy and procedures.
• To perform any other duties required by the line manager commensurate with grade.
• To escalate risks that cannot be controlled to the Section Head.
• To notify accidents, near misses, dangerous situations and shortcomings in health and safety via the appropriate management structure.
• As part of a member of staff’s duty they are required to participate in a joint annual review of their work. The process is described in the Human Resources Handbook found on the UKHSA Intranet.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.

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 key responsibilities will include to:

• Receive and process materials, blood, samples and/or tissues.
• Perform diagnostic testing on a range of clinical samples.
• Provide administrative support for specimen reception
• Support RIPL administrative staff.
• Operate a range of equipment, e.g. centrifuges, analysers, safety cabinets.
• Act as a laboratory supervisor ensuring equipment is suitably maintained and calibrated and that documentation relevant to the laboratory is kept up to date.
• Perform testing for environmental anthrax on plaster and soil samples involving specimen processing in an ACDP 3/SAPO laboratory.
• Comply with waste disposal protocols.
• Operate, maintain, clean and disinfect laboratory equipment safely.
• To identify to management any potential conflicts of interest which may impinge on their ability to perform their duties effectively as defined by UKHSA Conflict of Interest Policy.
• Perform basic calibration and equipment checks.
• Maintain clean safe and tidy working environment. Monitor laboratory stocks and supplies on a daily basis to help optimise use of consumables and to reduce wastage
• Undergo any training requirements as required for the post.
• Play a leading role in the training of junior and new staff.
• To ensure all work in undertaken in accordance with the UKHSA’s Code of Safety Practice and to work within UKAS ISO15189 Quality standard.
• To comply with UKHSA policy and procedures.
• To perform any other duties required by the line manager commensurate with grade.
• To escalate risks that cannot be controlled to the Section Head.
• To notify accidents, near misses, dangerous situations and shortcomings in health and safety via the appropriate management structure.
• As part of a member of staff’s duty they are required to participate in a joint annual review of their work. The process is described in the Human Resources Handbook found on the UKHSA Intranet