Healthcare Scientist Support Worker

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 post holder will act as a laboratory assistant to provide support to the scientific team providing services to patients and clients as an aid to clinical diagnosis.

You will be expected to work 37.5 hours. The Cambridge laboratory operates a 24/7 shift pattern to which you will be expected to contribute.

Under supervision of qualified staff prepares and processes microbiological specimens in accordance with agreed local polices and standard operating procedures. Assists with laboratory reception and queries from visitors to the department. Record requests for investigations on the laboratory computer system. Monitor and maintain equipment and supplies. Contribute to a safe working environment.

Participate in staff training depending on experience. Contribute to improvements in the workplace.

Your main duties would include:

• Sample receipt and handing
• Sample preparation and reagent preparation following protocols
• Clerical duties, including use of computers, and data entry, telephone enquiries
• Provide results service to wards, GPs and other hospitals
• Dealing with patients, visitors and deliveries
• Monitor and maintain appropriate stock levels, receipt of deliveries and preparation of orders
• Cleaning and disinfection of equipment and laboratory areas
• Monitoring and routine maintenance of equipment
• Perform manual, semi-automated and automated tests according to protocols
• Disposal of patient samples in accordance with relevant guidelines
• Autoclaving of waste material and patient samples (involves moderate lifting)
• Portering duties, exchange of gas cylinders (involves moderate lifting)
• Work 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

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.

Main duties and responsibilities

The laboratory services undertake a wide range of routine and specialist microbiological and public health investigations. The service delivery across the East of England is supported by the UKHSA EofE Business Unit based at the Cambridge site.

It makes extensive use of administration software packages to deliver the business outputs across the East of England.

You would be dealing with patients, visitors and deliveries

monitoring and maintaining appropriate stock levels. You would be required to be responsible for the receipt of deliveries and preparation of orders. You would need to clean and disinfect equipment and laboratory areas.

The postholder would monitor and and take care of routine maintenance of equipment along with the use of automated equipment and its cleaning and maintenance within Containment Level 2 laboratories.

You would need to participate in Quality Assurance and Quality Control activities and assist the department in maintaining UKAS accreditation. To participate in audit processes, drug trials, research projects as required

You would be required to assist in the production of bacteriological culture media

Job Holder is expected to occasionally work under remote supervision of a Registered Biomedical Scientist following defined SOP/protocols, and would be expected to refer non routine issues to their supervisor.

Please note, as part of the selection process, you may be asked to prepare to deliver a presentation or take a test.

Selection process details

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:
You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed in line with the advertised essential criteria – please do provide evidence of how you meet this.

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

STAGE 2 – INTERVIEW

This competition will involve an interview either by video or face to face.

Please note that as part of the interview process you may be required to undertake a presentation or test.

Your Statement of Suitability should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria (outlined in the person specification section).

You will also be asked to provide information within the ‘Employer/ Activity history’ section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history.

For further information on the selection process, please refer to the attached Candidate Pack.

Expected Timeline:
Advert close: 23:55hrs on 2ndJune 2023 – unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Shortlist: Week commencing 5thJune 2023

Interviews: TBC

Please note these dates could be subject to change.