Healthcare Scientific Support Worker / Medical Laboratory Assistant inManchester inManchester PUBLISHED WED 15 JAN 2025

Contents

• Location
• About the job
• Benefits
• Things you need to know
• Apply and further information
  
  

Location

Manchester

About The Job

Job summary

This is an exciting opportunity to join one of the largest microbiology departments in England as an AO grade Healthcare Scientific Support Worker/Medical Laboratory Assistant. The Manchester Medical Microbiology Partnership (MMMP) is a collaboration between UKHSA and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.

The microbiology partnership provides comprehensive routine services and specialist services to a wide range of hospitals across the North West and beyond and also assists in any UKHSA co-ordinated responses or activity of a national/international nature, e.g. Bioterrorism incident or major disease e.g enteric outbreaks, COVID19, SARS.

The department employs around 130 staff and has a workload in excess of 1.2 million specimens covering major clinical specialties including respiratory medicine, transplantation, burns, renal medicine, urology & paediatrics. The department embraces all aspects of a modern clinical bacteriology service combining traditional methodologies with 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 8am - 8pm Monday to Sunday.

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.  

Please visit our careers site for more information www.jobsincare.com/job/jblijSGQ Description

You will be 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.

Your would be using automated equipment and assist with its maintenance within Containment Level 2 laboratories.

You would need to participate in Quality Assurance and Quality Control activities, and assist the department in maintaining UKAS accreditation.

The postholder would participate in audit processes, drug trials, research projects as required. You would be assisting in the production of bacteriological culture media.

You may be expected to provide emergency cover between the laboratories at Manchester Medical Microbiology Partnership.

Your Main Duties Would Include

• Working as part of Laboratory Team
• Rotate through various managed units within Microbiology
• 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
• Monitoring and routine maintenance of equipment
• 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
• Work in a safe manner in accordance with Laboratory Health and Safety policies and procedures
  
  

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Previously worked in Laboratory
• Experience of working in a health care environment.
• Clear communicator with good writing, data entry and telephone skills ensuring accuracy
• Able to work on own initiative, organising and prioritising own workload to set deadlines
  
  

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £23,489, UK Health Security Agency contributes £6,804 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• 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 employer contribution of 28.97%
  
  

Things you need to know

Selection process details

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

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Required

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the above listed 4 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

• Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
• 500 word Statement of Suitability.
  
  

This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.

The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.

Please be aware that you will be assessed on the below listed 6 essential criteria, rather than the full list on the job description document.

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

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.

Stage 2: Interview (Competency based)