About the job

Job summary

Virology, delivered from the Manchester Royal Infirmary site employs approximately 100 staff and has a workload exceeding 1,000,000 specimens per year. The department embraces a modern clinical virology service combining some traditional methodologies with a range of laboratory automation.

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, flexible between the hours of 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday to Sunday

There are three positions available: 2 x permanent roles and one fixed term position for 12 months.  Roles we be offered in merit order.

Job description

We are seeking an enthusiastic and highly motivate Medical Laboratory Assistant. Previous experience in a similar role although advantageous is not essential as all necessary training will be given to post holder. The post holder will work as part of the laboratory team, providing a high level of microbiological analysis to provide patients with the highest level of diagnosis and treatment.
The laboratory is accredited by UKAS (ISO15189 standard) 
We actively encourage CPD activities.

The department requires staff to support the department in delivering a comprehensive Virology service over 7 days. Staff may be required to work a variety of shifts, including weekends, throughout the 24-hour period if appropriate to the post.

The laboratory has a friendly atmosphere with a good team spirit and offers the opportunity for you to develop personally and professionally. The department is a designated IBMS training laboratory, has an extensive quality system in operation and is fully accredited.

Main duties of the job

• 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 
• 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
• Use of automated equipment and its cleaning and maintenance within Containment Level 2 laboratories 
• 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 
• Assisting 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

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

• Experience of working in a health care environment
• Clear communicator with good writing, data entry and telephone skills ensuring accuracy
• 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
• An ability to maintain confidentiality and trust
• Good time keeping
• Flexible approach to work
• Ability to follow written protocols
• An understanding of, and commitment to, equality of opportunity and good working relationships

Desirable Criteria: 

• Evidence of on-going training and development
• Previous laboratory experience

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £22,370, UK Health Security Agency contributes £6,040 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

Selection Process:  

This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your Qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and capabilities outlined in the essential criteria.  

Stage 1: Application & Sift  
Competency-based assessments

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) 
• a 750 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 separately, and you must pass both to move forward to interview. 

Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist. 

Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on 'Experience of working in a health care environment'.

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

Please do not exceed 750 words.  We will not consider any words over and above this number. 

Feedback will not be provided at this stage. 

Stage 2: Interview 

You will be invited to a (single)  face to face interview.

Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview.  

There may be a Technical Test/assessment. 

If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview. 

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. 

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).

Security Clearance Level Requirement  

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.

Disability Confident scheme  

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.  

Reserve List clause  

Candidates who pass the interview criteria but are not offered a post will be kept on a reserve list for 12 months and may be contacted if similar roles become available.   

If you are interviewed for the post and do not meet the required threshold for the specified grade, your application may be assessed against a similar, lower grade role and you may be offered the post should one be available.  

Starting salary  

New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.    

The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase.    

Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.   

For further details please refer to the Information Sheet- Starting Salaries & Benefits attachment  

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.