About the job

Job summary

To be eligible:

You must:

Have lived in the UK for at least 3 years

Be 18 years old or above as this role has elements of lab working.

You must NOT:

No Business Studies degree, Business BTEC or Business Studies A level

No Science degrees and preferably no science A levels as it is a level 3 science apprenticeship

We are looking for an Apprentice Histology Technician to join the team within the Pathology Department which currently consists of 3 Histologists and 3 Pathologists. The Pathology group provide histopathological services to the Vaccine Development, Evaluation and Preparedness Division. We work in containment level 2 facilities, with formalin fixed tissues and we study a range of pathogens including SARS-CoV-2, Tuberculosis, Anthrax, Chikungunya, Nipah Virus, CCHF, Ebola, Influenza, Zika, Q Fever and Monkeypox.

Location

As this is a specialist role, it will be based and operate out of UKHSA Porton Down in Salisbury.

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

Job description

This role offers a great opportunity for someone who is keen to learn working in a routine histology laboratory, to join the team within the Pathology Department which currently consists of 3 Histologists and 3 Pathologists. The Pathology group provide histopathological services to the Vaccine Development, Evaluation and Preparedness Division. We work in containment level 2 facilities, with formalin fixed tissues and we study a range of pathogens including SARS-CoV-2, Tuberculosis, Anthrax, Chikungunya, Nipah Virus, CCHF, Ebola, Influenza, Zika, Q Fever and Monkeypox.

You will support the Pathology Department in providing an efficient and comprehensive service to internal and external research groups, undertaking routine histological processing of formalin-fixed tissues and produce stained sections, both routine H&E and special stains. Assisting the Line Manager/Histologist in supplying slides within agreed timescales to enable the preparation of pathology reports, presentations, and publications. Ensuring laboratory equipment and instruments are suitably checked, maintained, and calibrated and that documentation relevant to the laboratory is kept up to date. You will be working to Good Laboratory Practice, following standard operating procedures, and recording information accurately, whilst ensuring laboratory equipment is operated, maintained, cleaned, and disinfected safely and complying with waste disposal protocols. Maintaining a clean safe and tidy working environment and following appropriate risk assessments whilst utilising a range of additional histological methods/assays/techniques, as required by specific study requirements. You will also assist the Line Manager/Histologist in the control and stockpile of reagents to ensure an effective service to the Research Department and perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade.

Your main responsibilities will include:

• To support the Pathology Department in providing an efficient and comprehensive service to internal and external research groups.

 

• To undertake routine histological processing of formalin-fixed tissues and produce stained sections, both routine H&E and special stains.
• Assist the Line Manager/Histologist in supplying slides within agreed timescales to enable the preparation of pathology reports, presentations, and publications.
• Work to Good Laboratory Practice- follow standard operating procedures and record information accurately.
• Ensure laboratory equipment and instruments are suitably checked, maintained, and calibrated and that documentation relevant to the laboratory is kept up to date.
• Operate, maintain, clean, and disinfect laboratory equipment safely and comply with waste disposal protocols.
• Maintain clean safe and tidy working environment and follow appropriate risk assessments.
• Utilise a range of additional histological methods/assays/techniques, as required by specific study requirements.
• Assist the Line Manager/Histologist in the control and stockpile of reagents to ensure an effective service to the Research Department.
• To perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade.

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 500 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the essential criteria (for full details of all essential criteria please refer to the attached job description) and the following criteria below:

The behaviours:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

Essential criteria

Grade 4/C or NVQ Level 2 in Maths and English with a keen interest in science. It would be beneficial if the candidate had experience working in a laboratory environment.

• Good understanding and experience of safe working practices.
• Good time management skills. Good communication skills including good writing and data entry skills. Attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Ability to work on own initiative and organise own workload with minimal supervision working to tight and often changing timescales.
• Ability to follow standard operating procedures.
• Good problem-solving skills and able to deal with problems in a calm and efficient manner

Desirable criteria

• Basic histology theory and/or experience.

Benefits

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.

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

• 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. You will be assessed on the above listed essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

• CV/ Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application) 
• 500 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 CV/Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.

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

Please do not exceed 500 words.  We will not consider any words over and above this number. 

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

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

STAGE 2 – INTERVIEW 

This competition will involve an interview in person or via Teams. 

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. 

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

• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing

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

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 26th July 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.

Interviews: TBC

Please note these dates could be subject to change. 

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.  Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard.  People working with government assets must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard checks.

For posts on UKHSA Civil Service terms and conditions, new entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. For existing Civil Servants and roles advertised across government, the rules of transfer apply, i.e., level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive a 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest. 

Please Note

This role is to be appointed under Civil Service Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&C’s are found https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/

Are you already a civil servant, or employed by a Civil Service Commission accredited public body? Please state home department on your application form.

Do you meet the nationality requirements for this post? https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/

Complaint process:

The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email: Complaints1@ukhsa.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website. 

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

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission. 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.