About the job

Job summary

Salary & Grade: AO (National) £22,194 + MPS bringing the salary up to £25,055 (pro rata)

The laboratory in Bristol is situated within the Severn Pathology suite of laboratories at North Bristol NHS Trust Southmead site. The laboratory receives in excess of 1 million specimens a year from a large number of clinical specialties across the Bristol and Bath hospital trusts which contribute to an interesting and varied workload. 

The scope of this role is to learn and maintain good laboratory practice in the interests of the departmental commitment to provide an efficient service and to become a positive member of a team or teams in the function of service provision.

The applicant must have a keen interest in science educated to A-level or an equivalent qualification. Previous extensive experience of working in a clinical microbiology laboratory, evidence of using complex laboratory equipment and an understanding of Laboratory Health and Safety procedures and protocols is desirable.

The post holder will report on biomedical investigations and utilise the appropriate testing to assist the Biomedical Scientists. You will rotate through different sections in the laboratory and be expected to supervise and train staff. You should be a good communicator and effective at prioritising competing workloads.

Location

This is a lab-based role that will be located at UKHSA Bristol, Severn Pathology, Bristol, BS10 5NB.

*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.*

Working Pattern – Full Time

Job description

Responsibilities section:

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:

• To undertake analysis of patient samples in accordance with laboratory protocols and procedures such as testing under supervision routine laboratory specimens and ensuring the validity of test runs according to the test parameters.
• Follow the routine procedures for the calibration and maintenance of laboratory equipment and to be responsible for the completion of checklists for the relevant equipment and areas.
• To maintain records for all virological analysis and supporting procedures including records for all reagents prepared in-house as part of Quality Control procedures
• To assist BMS’s where appropriate by planning the day’s work for themselves and those they supervise and proposing relevant changes to work areas as required.
• To prepare and dispatch items for transport and posting recording data as appropriate.
• To perform clerical duties and computer entry of laboratory data.
• To participate in research and/or development work in collaboration with senior staff of the Virology Laboratory as required.
• Assist with the provision of samples for all projects undertaken by the laboratory including maintenance of inventories of stored specimens and recording of the specimens used in particular projects.
• Where appropriate, to be responsible for instructing and training HSSW staff within the Virology Department.
• To maintain personal development through further study and attendance at appropriate courses and meetings as required, and to participate in the internal and external teaching and training programmes.

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.

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

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1250 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:

Essential

• Understanding of the importance of confidentiality
• Show a willingness to learn and improve
• Understand the role of the Associate practitioner within the laboratory
• Previous experience of working in a laboratory.
• Previous experience and use of Laboratory Information System (LIMS)
• Clear communicator with good writing, data entry and telephone skills ensuring accuracy
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Problem solving skills
• Commitment to and focused on quality, promotes high standards in all they do
• Able to make a connection between their work and the benefit to patients and the public
• Consistently thinks about how their work can help and support clinicians and frontline staff deliver better outcomes for patients
• Actively develops themselves and supports others to do the same
• Good time keeping.
• Flexible approach to work.
• IT skills
• Good numeracy and literacy skills

Benefits

Working for the UKHSA

For more information on the UKHSA please visit: UK Health Security Agency - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
• Range of health and wellbeing support

Any move to UKHSA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at Childcare Choices , 30 Hours Free Childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and More , Help with Costs , GOV.UK

Things you need to know

Selection process details

Stage 1 – Application and sift: 

You will be required to complete an application form and a statement of suitability. 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.

As part of the process, candidates will be invited to interview which will involve an in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification. 

Please be aware that you may be asked to undertake a test or presentation at interview.

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.

The Success Profiles framework will be used to assess and recruit the most suitable candidate.  The following behaviours and strengths will be used at the interview:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Developing Self and Others
• Delivering at Pace
• Adaptable
• Efficient

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 23rd January 2024 – unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be

Interviews: TBC

Please note these dates could be subject to change.  

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

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) (opens in a new window)
• 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 (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.