Assistant Healthcare Scientist London, England
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About the job
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Location
About the job
Job summary
This post will attract a market pay supplement, details of which to be discussed at the interview stage.
The newly formed Sexually Transmitted Infections Reference Laboratory are looking to recruit a well-motivated, enthusiastic individual to work in a busy laboratory environment. The post-holder must be pro-active, reliable and professional at all times. Duties will include working as part of a team within the STI reference laboratory to support the delivery of specialist and reference services, national antimicrobial surveillance programmes, and research into characterisation of antimicrobial resistance in bacterial STIs and diagnostic development work.
Applicants must have GCSE English, Maths and Science (or equivalent). Previous experience of working or studying in a bacteriology or a molecular microbiology laboratory environment using computerised data systems, together with knowledge and understanding of laboratory safety requirements and procedures is essential. Previous experience of working on STI microbiology and/or antimicrobial resistance is desirable.
Location:
Laboratory Based role - Colindale site, London
Sexually Transmitted Infections Reference Unit
*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 Assistant Healthcare Scientist your main responsibilities will include:
This is a laboratory-based role. The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
- To undertake basic microbiology and molecular laboratory duties under supervision guided by standard operating procedures, protocols or systems of work based on training provided, and taking into account the operational requirements of the laboratory.
- To be responsible in providing an efficient, effective and timely reference and surveillance functions
- Assist in providing an efficient, effective and timely reference and surveillance functions
- To be able to use the LIMS and perform general laboratory duties and to complement other members of the team. To seek further development for which training will be given.
- To assist with maintaining quality and safety systems
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 attached Job Description for further information.
Person specification
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:
- Experience of working or studying in a laboratory including using Pre Analytical techniques applicable to Bacterial, Serological or Molecular methods
- Knowledge and understanding of laboratory safety requirements and procedures.
- Clear communicator with good writing, data entry and telephone skills ensuring accuracy
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team
- Able to follow standard operating procedures.
- Educated to GCSE in English, Maths and Science or equivalent.
Desirable:
- Educated to a level (or BSc)/NVQ level 3 standard or equivalent to Diploma level in Laboratory and Technical Activities (LATA)
- Experience or Knowledge of antimicrobial resistance or sexually transmitted infections
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office including Word and Excel.
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. This will be assessed in line with the advertised essential criteria – please do provide evidence of how you meet this.
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.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.
STAGE 2 – INTERVIEW
This stage will involve an interview in person at the Colindale site.
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:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace
For further information on the selection process, please refer to the attached Candidate Pack.
Expected Timeline:
Advert close: 23:55hrs on 28th August 2023 – 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: 14th & 15th September 2023
Please note these dates could be subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants)
Nationality requirements
Appointments to roles within UKHSA will be made in accordance with the Civil Service nationality rules. These can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- Nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
- Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
- Certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles.
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.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.
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. 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/
OR
This role is to be appointed under NHS 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/
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
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
Working for the Civil Service
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).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Recruitment team
