Healthcare Scientific Support Worker in Bristol

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) prevents, prepares for and responds to infectious diseases, and environmental hazards, to keep all our communities safe, save lives and protect livelihoods. We provide scientific and operational leadership, working with local, national and international partners to protect the public’s health and build the nation’s health security capability.

Job overview: The post holder will act as a Health Care Scientific Support Worker (HSSW) to provide technical and clerical support to the scientific services to patients and customers as an aid to clinical diagnosis. You will be expected to rotate through various managed units within Infection Sciences and will work as part of the laboratory team to provide a high level of microbiological analysis in order to provide patients with the highest level of diagnosis and treatment.

The postholder will:

• Be responsible for the efficient processing of specimens and performing additional laboratory duties to ensure the efficient day to day performance of an area of the laboratory, under the supervision of Biomedical Scientist (BMS) staff.
• Undertake special Internal Quality Assurance duties, as appropriate and consistent with grade.
• Undertake inputting of data, filing, answering the telephone, reception work and perform other additional clerical and office duties appropriate to grade.
• Be expected to assist in any UKHSA co-ordinated response or activity of a national/international nature, e.g. a major disease outbreak.
• Participate in the current weekend and Public Holiday working arrangements on a rotational basis.

Please note the above list is not exhaustive.

Working for our organisation: 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.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities:

• Receive, sort, unpack, label and process specimens in the laboratory.
• Understand the use of the laboratory information system (LIMS) and undertake data entry e.g. for samples received and referred.
• Electronically request and receive tests and look up results etc.
• Solve minor problems with mislabelled or mislaid samples and to generate worksheets.
• Collect and transfer laboratory consumables and samples to and from delivery points, storage areas and workstations.
• Accurately prepare samples for analysis.
• Assist with the setting up of automated and semi-automated tests.
• Follow various technical procedures e.g. Preparation of specimens Serological and Molecular techniques.
• Maintain a high standard of competence in the performance of all tests appropriate to grade and investigations carried out in that area, following appropriate training.
• Perform technical work under the supervision of a BMS.
• Ensure important or unusual results are drawn to the attention of senior staff and to report complaints or anomalies as soon as possible.
• Use equipment in a safe and responsible manner.
• Perform general laboratory duties e.g. checking and cleaning instruments/equipment, recording temperatures, preparing reagents and assistance with stock control.
• Perform general clerical duties e.g. photocopying, filing, telephone answering, dealing with queries from clients, customers and other NHS staff and to undertake data entry.
• Assist in the training of other HSSW staff.
• Rotate through all relevant sections of the department as directed.
• Respond to changes in laboratory protocols as directed.
• Work in a conscientious and responsible manner ensuring care and accuracy.
• Cover the duties of other HSSW staff in their absence where possible.
• Receive goods and supplies into the laboratory.
• Help prepare and dispatch items/samples for referral, transport and posting.
• Issue specimen collection kits, containers and reagents to appropriate areas.
• Undertake sterilisation and disposal of laboratory waste including collection of discard and waste material, transfer of laboratory waste to designated collection/disposal areas.
• Undertake any reasonable task delegated by a senior member of staff.

Essential criteria:

• GCSE or equivalent qualification in Maths and English and Sciences or equivalent experience in a lab based environment.
• Educated to NVQ 2 level qualification in laboratory or public health related subject or equivalent level of qualification or previous proven experience working in a laboratory.
• Basic knowledge of health and safety and safe working practices.
• Previous experience of using computerised data systems and working knowledge of Microsoft Office including Word and Excel.
• Clear communicator with good writing, data entry and telephone skills ensuring accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Problem solving skills.
• Able to work on own initiative, organising and prioritising own workload to set deadlines.

Desirable Criteria:

• Interest in Science and Technology.

Location: This role is being offered lab based at our site in Southmead Hospital, Bristol. Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.

Security Clearance Level Requirement: Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check. The level of security needed is Counter-Terrorist Check.

Benefits of working at UKHSA include:

• Generous annual leave: -26 days for the first 5 years of continuous service -28 days after 5 years of continuous service -32 days after 10 years of continuous service -Plus public holidays and one privilege day for the King’s birthday.
• Access to a generous Defined Benefit pension scheme with employer contributions.
• Access to a cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme, season ticket advances and payroll giving.
• Access to a retail discounts and cashback site.
• Flexible working patterns (part-time, job-share, condensed hours).
• Generous maternity/paternity and adoption leave package.