medical laboratory tech United Kingdom
Job description
Details
Reference number
Salary
Job grade
Contract type
Business area
Type of role
Working pattern
Number of jobs available
Contents
Location
About the job
Benefits
Things you need to know
Apply and further information
Location
About the job
Job summary
The post holder will work within the Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSE) workgroup in the Pathology and Animal Sciences Department. The TSE workgroup is responsible for the APHA Biological Archive which holds over 1 million samples of known provenance in ultra-low temperature freezers in accordance with ISO quality standard ISO9001:2015.
The post holder will provide support to the maintenance of freezer facilities including housekeeping, monitoring infrastructure and routine checks of all cold store equipment. They will also perform sample retrieval and re-archiving for TSE tissue requests and provide general assistance with TSE freezer inventory as directed, including archiving of new samples, consolidation of freezer space, auditing project samples, disposal of surplus samples and recording of this on local databases.
The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, and works on behalf of the Scottish Government and Welsh Government. Our diverse teams of over 2,000 skilled and committed professionals come together to provide research, advice, and support to UK Government for safeguarding animal, public and plant health for benefit of the environment and economy.
Job description
- Sample retrieval and re-archiving for TSE tissue requests. General assistance with TSE freezer inventory as directed, including archiving of new samples, consolidation of freezer space, auditing project samples and disposal of surplus samples. This will include the use of local databases.
- Provide support to the maintenance of freezer facilities including housekeeping, monitoring infrastructure, routine checks of all cold store equipment (freezers, refrigerators, and cryogenic storage) reporting safety and equipment issues to management.
- Working in specialist high disease containment laboratories and animal post-mortem facilities (ACDP3/SAPO3 and SAPO4).
- Ensure that all work, including that based in the laboratory, is carried out in accordance with all APHA Safety Policy, Pathology Policy, CL3 working, relevant risk assessments and SHaW safety directives.
- Ensure that all work is carried out in accordance with Pathology and APHA Quality Policies & Standards, to include GLP, ISO17025, ISO9001.
- Cleaning and maintenance of the laboratories and ensuring that stocks are maintained and always kept at optimum levels.
- Stock collection and distribution to the wider Pathology Department.
- To carry out routine and ad hoc laboratory support duties and provide cover to colleagues when requested.
- Storage and maintenance (using tissue “bagging” procedures) or disposal of fixed tissue samples stored in short and long term Pathology archive.
- Performance of chemical decontamination and waste disposal procedures, including solid and liquid waste.
The post holder will be also responsible for the day-to-day maintenance of ultra-low temperature freezers and the housekeeping required to maintain the integrity of the facility and the samples contained within the archive.
They will be the main point of contact for stock collection and distribution across the Pathology Department.
The role also involves meeting and escorting of visitors, such as engineers, within CL3 or warehouse facilities
Other responsibilities include:
- Perform all duties in accordance with Pathology & APHA Safety and Quality Policies including GLP, ISO17025 and ISO9001.
- Adherence to local SOPs, risk assessments and participate in Quality and safety audits.
- Performance of Room Officer duties including ensuring the work environment is clean, tidy and professionally managed.
- Maintain the high standards for health and safety requirements within the department and Implement APHA policies and ensure required compliance of containment facilities and staff.
- Ensure that personal and staff training is undertaken.
Person specification
The jobholder will be required to have excellent interpersonal skills liaising with a very diverse range of people with differing skills and expertise within and across different teams. Written and oral communication skills must be strong and the post holder will have knowledge of commonly used software – MS Word, Excel, Access, Teams.
Key Experiences/Skills
- Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Word and Excel
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- High standard in verbal and numerical reasoning
- High standard of interpersonal skills, being motivated, resilient and approachable
- Ability to work under pressure in a flexible and agile way
- Minimum of a GCSE in Maths and English at Grade C and above or equivalent
Qualifications
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
- Working Together
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
Benefits
In return for your dedication, we will support your ongoing personal development through appropriate training. Inclusion, support and the development of our people matter to us. We aim to support the career and personal wellbeing of everyone in APHA. Our benefits include generous annual leave of 25 days (rising one day per year up to 30 days after 5 years), flexible working, a contributory pension, staff bonuses and recognition, salary sacrifice benefit options, and an employee discount scheme.
Pension and Financial Benefits
Your pension is a valuable part of your total reward package and there are various options including Alpha and Partnership pension schemes in which Defra can invest in providing a contribution to the cost of your pension.
Life Assurance: if you become too ill or die before retirement valuable benefits will be provided to you and your family.
Learning and Development
Access to five days learning and development each year to support professional development through Civil Service Learning. Corporate induction and three days special leave for volunteering.
Examination Leave
Paid leave for exams and revision for approved studies.
Staff Wellbeing
Access to Employee Assistance Programme, available 24/7, providing advice and guidance on both personal and employment issues such as personal wellbeing, career development, legal matters such as landlord / tenant disputes. Access to the Employee Assistance Programme, Occupational Health Service and the Civil Service Sports Council.
Apprenticeship Opportunity
This diverse and varied role is suitable for anyone with a keen interest in science and animals, but no laboratory experience is necessary as full training will be given. Whilst working at APHA and earning a salary you will have the opportunity to also undertake an Apprenticeship. This may involve attending College or University one day a week and you would carry out specific assessments, projects and put all your learning into practice whilst working. The funding for this course will be paid for by APHA. This will give you the opportunity to increase your knowledge and experience which will assist in your development and possibly promotion.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application Process
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, Personal Statement and Two Behaviour statements.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form. As part of the assessment process, you will be asked to give examples of Behaviours and Experience using Situation, Task, Action, Result (STAR).
Sift
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour, Making Effective Decisions. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Sift expected to take place at the start of August 2023.
Interview
If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on Behaviours criteria as well as Experience.
Interviews are expected to take place mid-August 2023, this is subject to change.
Location
Please be aware that this role(s) will be contractually based in an APHA workplace/office. The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.
Please be aware that this role will be contractually based at APHA Weybridge where the team is located. Due to the nature of the role and the duties, the successful candidate is required to work at this location most of the time. Flexibility in working hours is required if called upon to finish a particular urgent task or in an event of an outbreak.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
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.
Visa Sponsorship Statement
Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
- Contact Government Recruitment Service via [email protected] as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
- Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Criminal Record Check
If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing [email protected] stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Internal Fraud Database Check
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Full Time Only
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying. We may consider two part-time staff on a job share basis if continuity can be arranged.
Higher Security Clearance
Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter
Childcare Vouchers
Any move to APHA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk.
Other Information
CTC security clearance is required for the work of this post. The Weybridge site is a strategically important national asset due to its role as a reference laboratory supporting the Government’s response to national emergencies including disease outbreaks. For this reason all post holders based on the APHA Weybridge site must hold a valid Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) security clearance or above. It is up to each person applying for a post at APHA Weybridge to ensure they meet the residency criteria. Applicants must be currently resident in the UK & have between 3 to 10 years continuous UK residency depending on the level of Security.
Should you be successful at interview you will be required to undertake this security check along with Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) check. This includes: identity, employment status, nationality and immigration status, criminal records and any other essential pre-employment checks.
Restrictions on outside/domestic contact with poultry may apply. Restrictions on outside/domestic contact with small animals, mainly rodents and rabbits, will apply.
The successful candidate should not keep pigs or poultry or live on premises where there are domestic livestock or poultry.
Depending on the areas of work involved, you will be expected to have necessary vaccinations and health surveillance. This will be arranged by the Health team, Weybridge. It may also be necessary to undergo a pre-employment medical assessment.
The successful candidate will need to comply with a number of health protocols and wear protective clothing and Respiratory Personal Protective Equipment (RPPE) as required.
The work of the post can be physically demanding. Due to access requirements to biosecure areas, individuals must be physically able.
This post is based at APHA Weybridge. It is a technical role and will require full-time attendance to site.
Out of hours work may be required in the event of an incident or as part of on-call rotas.
Travel may be required to attend training courses. You must have a valid driving licence, or be able to call upon suitable alternate means of transport.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
Medical
Nationality requirements
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) (opens in a new window)
- 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
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
Further information
Government Recruitment Services via email: [email protected]
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Click here to visit Civil Service Commission
