About the job

Job summary

We are looking for enthusiastic, self-motivated individuals to play a vital role in the laboratory by supporting the Biomedical Scientists in a wide range of laboratory duties including maintaining vital stocks of Consumables and reagents.

The laboratory in Birmingham is a UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) microbiology laboratory and is in partnership with University Hospitals Birmingham Trust (UHB).  The microbiology partnership provides comprehensive microbiology services and specialist services to Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital in Sutton Coldfield, Solihull Hospital and general practitioners throughout the area.

Under the local supervision of a registered Biomedical Scientist, Business Support Administrator, or Service Manager:

You would need to monitor and maintain appropriate stock levels, receipt of deliveries and preparation of orders. Your role would include porter duties, exchange of gas cylinders (duties which involve moderate lifting).

You would need to work in a safe manner in accordance with laboratory Health and Safety policies and procedures. You would need to organise the day-to-day stock requirements for the laboratory. The postholder would ensure stock requests are verified and are accurate before issue, ensuring that adequate consumable stocks are maintained for the sections whilst minimising cost and wastage.

Location

This is a lab-based role located at Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham, B9 5SS.

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

Job description

As the Healthcare Scientist Support Worker - Stores Assistant your main responsibilities will include:

• Under the local supervision of a registered Biomedical Scientist, Business Support Administrator, or Service Manager:
• To support the initiation of incidents for replacement stores items as required.
• To receive and document all incoming supplies as required (duties which involve moderate lifting).
• To support the maintenance of the laboratory stock control system.
• To distribute supplies throughout the laboratory (duties which involve moderate lifting).
• Clerical duties, including use of computers, and data entry, telephone enquiries.
• Dealing with visitors and deliveries.
• Monitor and maintain appropriate stock levels, receipt of deliveries and preparation of orders.
• Porter duties, exchange of gas cylinders (duties which involve moderate lifting).
• Work in a safe manner in accordance with laboratory Health and Safety policies and procedures.
• To participate in Quality Assurance and Quality Control activities, and assist the department in maintaining UKAS.

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.

Person specification

It is important through your application and statement of suitability of up to 1250 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:

Essential 

• GCSE Maths and English – essential
• GCSE Sciences or equivalent - desirable
• NVQ2 or equivalent qualification or equivalent experience - desirable

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 & SIFT: 

You will be required to complete an application form and a statement of suitability of up to 1250 words. 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 by either 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 note, as part of the selection process, you may be asked to prepare to deliver a presentation or take a test.

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 will be used at the interview:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace
• Disciplined
• Organiser
• Responsible
• Team Player

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 3d March 2024 – 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: W/C TBC

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.