Job summary
1. Grade & Salary: AO (National) £22370 - £24184
2. Location: Manchester University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, M13 9WL
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, Bioterrorism incident or major disease enteric outbreaks, COVID19, SARS. The department employs around 130 staff and has a workload in excess of 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 hours, flexible between the hours of 8am - 8pm Monday to Sunday.
Main duties of the job
Your main duties would include:
3. Working as part of Laboratory Team
4. Rotate through various managed units within Microbiology
5. Sample receipt and handing.
6. Sample preparation and reagent preparation following protocols.
7. Clerical duties, including use of computers, and data entry, telephone enquiries.
8. Provide results service to wards, GPs and other hospitals
9. Dealing with patients, visitors and deliveries.
10. Monitor and maintain appropriate stock levels, receipt of deliveries and preparation of orders.
11. Cleaning and disinfection of equipment and laboratory areas.
12. Monitoring and routine maintenance of equipment.
13. Perform manual, semi-automated and automated tests according to protocols.
14. Disposal of patient samples in accordance with relevant guidelines
15. Autoclaving of waste material and patient samples (involves moderate lifting).
16. Portering duties
17. Work in a safe manner in accordance with Laboratory Health and Safety policies and procedures.
About us
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.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Your responsibilities would include:
18. 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.
19. You would be using automated equipment and assist with its maintenance within Containment Level 2 laboratories.
20. You would need to participate in Quality Assurance and Quality Control activities, and assist the department in maintaining UKAS accreditation.
21. The postholder would participate in audit processes, drug trials, research projects as would be assisting in the production of bacteriologicalculture media.
22. You may be expected to provide emergency cover between the laboratories at Manchester Medical Microbiology Partnership.
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.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.
STAGE 2 INTERVIEW
This competition will involve an interview by video or onsite face to face.
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.
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.
Please note that you may be required to provide a presentation or undertake a test at interview.
For further information on the selection process, please refer to the full job description.
Expected Timeline:
Advert close: 23:55hrs on 2nd May 2024 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: TBC
Please note these dates could be subject to change.
Person Specification
Education and Qualification
Essential
23. oGCSE or Equivalent
24. oPreviously worked in a laboratory
25. oExperience of working in a health care environment
26. oClear communicator with good writing, data entry and telephone skills ensuring accuracy.
27. oAbility to work effectively as part of a team.
28. oProblem solving skills.
29. oAble to work on own initiative, organising and prioritising own workload to set deadlines.
30. oAn ability to maintain confidentiality and trust.
31. oGood time keeping.
32. oFlexible approach to work.
33. oAbility to follow written protocols.
Desirable
34. oEvidence of ongoing training and development.