UKHSA Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, CB2 0QW Job Summary We are looking for a Healthcare Scientific Support Worker to support our Microbiology laboratory at Cambridge. The Microbiology laboratory at Cambridge current provides services to Addenbrooke’s, Royal Papworth, and the E&N Herts Hospitals, the surrounding district, and other NHS Laboratories. It has active research and epidemiological interests. The laboratory undergoes assessment against UKAS ISO 15189 standards, and has strong teaching interests. Working for your organisation 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 https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers Job Description Set on the outskirts of the university city of Cambridge, Addenbrooke’s Hospital is one of the top hospitals in the UK and a thriving NHS Foundation Trust. Addenbrooke’s is closely associated with leading educational providers including the University of Cambridge and is a major centre for biomedical research and education. The department undertakes a wide range of routine and specialist microbiological and molecular investigations. It makes extensive use of automation including Qiagen platforms, Biofire, BacTec, Sedimax, MGIT, Vitek, Centaur XP, Panther, Liaison and Vidas analysers and Kiestra. Your Main Duties And Responsibilities Will Include: Sample receipt and handing Sample preparation and reagent preparation following protocols. Clerical duties, including use of computers, and data entry, telephone enquiries Providing results service to wards, GPs and other hospitals Dealing with patients, visitors and deliveries Monitoring and maintaining appropriate stock levels, receipt of deliveries and preparation of orders Cleaning and disinfection of equipment and laboratory areas Monitoring and routine maintenance of equipment Performing 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) Working 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 Participating in Quality Assurance and Quality Control activities, and assist the department in maintaining UKAS accreditation Participating in audit processes, drug trials, research projects as required Assisting in the production of bacteriological culture media Occasionally working under remote supervision of a Registered Biomedical Scientist following defined SOP/protocols, and referring non-routine issues to their supervisor Set on the outskirts of the university city of Cambridge, Addenbrooke’s Hospital is one of the top hospitals in the UK and a thriving NHS Foundation Trust. Addenbrooke’s is closely associated with leading educational providers including the University of Cambridge and is a major centre for biomedical research and education. The department undertakes a wide range of routine and specialist microbiological and molecular investigations. It makes extensive use of automation including Qiagen platforms, Biofire, BacTec, Sedimax, MGIT, Vitek, Centaur XP, Panther, Liaison and Vidas analysers and Kiestra. Your Main Duties And Responsibilities Will Include: Sample receipt and handing Sample preparation and reagent preparation following protocols. Clerical duties, including use of computers, and data entry, telephone enquiries Providing results service to wards, GPs and other hospitals Dealing with patients, visitors and deliveries Monitoring and maintaining appropriate stock levels, receipt of deliveries and preparation of orders Cleaning and disinfection of equipment and laboratory areas Monitoring and routine maintenance of equipment Performing 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) Working 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 Participating in Quality Assurance and Quality Control activities, and assist the department in maintaining UKAS accreditation Participating in audit processes, drug trials, research projects as required Assisting in the production of bacteriological culture media Occasionally working under remote supervision of a Registered Biomedical Scientist following defined SOP/protocols, and referring non-routine issues to their supervisor Person specification GCSE’s (grade C or above) in English, maths and science; or educated to NVQ 2 level in a relevant subject, or equivalent level of qualification, or significant equivalent previous proven experience 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. Flexible approach to work. Ability to follow written protocols An understanding of, and commitment to, equality of opportunity and good working relationships. Alongside your salary of £25,506, UK Health Security Agency contributes £7,389 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% Selection process details You Will Be Required To Complete An Application Form. You Will Be Assessed On The Listed Essential Criteria And This Will Be In The Form Of : an application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application) a 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. Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of: Meets all essential criteria Meets some essential criteria Meets no essential criteria Please note only those meeting the minimum criteria will be taken through to shortlist. Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on: GCSE’s (grade C or above) in English, maths and science; or educated to NVQ 2 level in a relevant subject, or equivalent level of qualification, or significant equivalent previous proven experience Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. 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. 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. Stage 2: Interview - Competency You will be invited to a remote interview. Technical, Experience And Abilities Will Be Tested At Interview. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Location This will be a lab-based role located at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge. The Cambridge laboratory operates a 24/7 shift pattern to which you will be expected to contribute. Please note hybrid working is not available for this role. 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 meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard and Counter Terrorism Check security vetting. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice. Reasonable Adjustments The Civil Service is committed to making sure that our selection methods are fair to everyone. To help you during the recruitment process, we will consider any reasonable adjustments that could help you. An adjustment is a change to the recruitment process or an adjustment at work. This is separate to the Disability Confident Scheme. If you need an adjustment to be made at any point during the recruitment process you should contact the recruitment team in confidence as soon as possible to discuss your needs. You can find out more information about reasonable adjustments across the Civil Service here: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments/ International Police check If you have spent more than 6 months abroad over the last 3 years you may need an International Police Check. This would not necessarily have to be in a single block, and it could be time accrued over that period. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use. Artificial intelligence and recruitment, Civil Service Careers Internal Fraud check If successful for this role as one aspect of pre-employment screening, applicant’s personal details – name, national insurance number and date of birth - will be checked against the Cabinet Office Internal Fraud Hub and anyone included on the database will be refused employment unless they can show exceptional circumstances. Currently this is only for External candidates to the Civil Service. Careers website Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). 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. 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. Diversity and Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job Contact : Name : Jon Payne Email : jonathan.payne@ukhsa.gov.uk Recruitment team Email : recruitment@ukhsa.gov.uk Further information 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: Complaints@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: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk http://www.healthjobsuk.com/vacancy/7368706