Medical Laboratory Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

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 UKHSAs 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 staffs 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.

Selection process details

This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your knowledge and experience, and / or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.

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

• Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)

• 750-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 together.

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

• Meets all essentialcriteria

• Meets some essential criteria

• Meets no essential criteria

Piles Meets all essentialcriteriawill be moved through to the shortlisting stage.

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

• GCSE English and Maths at C grade or above or equivalent experience working in a laboratory

Please do not exceed 750 words.We will not consider any words over and above this number. If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview. 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.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview (competency based)

You will be invited to a (single) face to face interview. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

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 office/lab based at our Scientific Campus in Porton Down.

If based at one of our scientific campuses, 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 Criteria

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

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Person Specification

Essential criteria 1

Essential

• GCSE English and Maths at C grade or above or equivalent experience working in a laboratory

Essential criteria 2

Essential

• Experience of working in a regulated environment

Essential criteria 3

Essential

• Ability to work in a team and individually

Essential criteria 4

Essential

• Good communication, organisational and time management skills

Essential criteria 5

Essential

• Intermediate keyboard skills

Essential criteria 6

Essential

• Ability to prioritize activities and workload against conflicting demands

Essential criteria 7

Essential

• Able to participate in surge/outbreak cover situations as required

Essential criteria 8

Essential

• 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

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

UKHSA Porton Down

Manor Farm Road

Porton Down

SP4 0JG

Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)