Job summary
The Oxford Genetics Laboratories has a vacancy for a full‑time Healthcare Science Assistant to join the Specimen Reception team based at Churchill Hospital. The successful candidate will demonstrate manual dexterity, good organisational skills, accuracy, consistency and attention to detail in their work.
This role is suitable for applicants with zero or limited laboratory experience who wish to start a career in Healthcare Science, as full training will be provided. Previous laboratory experience is desirable but not essential.
About us
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country, providing a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and acting as a centre for medical education, training and research.
Location
Churchill Hospital, Churchill Drive, Oxord, OX3 7LE
Contract & Working pattern
Permanent, full-time. Working pattern: 8 am to 6 pm, Monday to Friday, with typical full-time rotation between 8 am‑4 pm, 9 am‑5 pm and 10 am‑6 pm.
Payment
Band 3 – £24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum pro rata.
Responsibilities
* Assist in the delivery of technical service to nationally accepted standards (UKAS or equivalent) under appropriate supervision.
* Follow standard operating procedures for receipt, booking and processing of samples.
* Review risk and COSHH assessments and abide by laboratory health and safety policies.
* Arrange dispatch of different types of samples and handle queries about receipt and dispatch, including products of conception and other tissues.
* Establish, maintain, sub‑culture and harvest cell cultures or undertake DNA extraction from a variety of biological specimens, including high‑risk materials.
* Identify samples that fail to be processed efficiently, assess quality criteria and raise issues with senior technologists or scientists.
* Liaise with senior colleagues regarding equipment availability, sample prioritisation and supplementary cell cultures or chromosome preparations.
* Provide a high level of technical expertise, communicate problems and seek advice from senior staff when required.
* Attend and actively participate in team and laboratory meetings, proposing improvements and contributing to departmental policy development.
* Maintain quality control programmes, recording data, validating and verifying reagents and protocols.
* Safely handle and store hazardous chemicals and dispose of biohazard waste appropriately.
* Assist in daily maintenance, monitoring and care of instrumentation, including safety and temperature of equipment such as biosafety cabinets, incubators, fridges and freezers.
* Undertake general laboratory housekeeping tasks on a rotational basis.
* Participate in teaching and training of new staff or less experienced employees by demonstrating work activities.
* Assist clinical scientists in research and development projects that meet departmental objectives.
* Attend relevant in‑house training to develop and maintain required skills, knowledge and expertise.
* Enter and retrieve relevant information from Excel spreadsheets and databases, including the laboratory information management system (LIMS).
* Abide by all operational policies and cooperate with management and safety representatives regarding health and safety.
* Use equipment appropriately, report faults immediately for rectification and maintain accurate records of work.
* Participate in internal quality control and external quality assessment procedures.
* Contribute to the preparation and accreditation of the department.
* Maintain confidentiality of patient, staff and service information in accordance with data protection legislation.
* Participate in out‑of‑hours duties if required, in line with the department’s policy.
* Undertake any other duties commensurate with experience and job role as agreed by the Consultant Head of Laboratory or Trust, reviewed as part of the annual appraisal.
Qualifications
* 5 GCSEs at grade C or above, including science.
Desirable qualifications
* QCF Level 3 or equivalent: A/AS levels BTEC, NVQ Level 3 including science.
* No degree level qualification.
Experience
* Experience of Microsoft Office or equivalent, navigating databases and spreadsheets.
Desirable experience
* Previous laboratory work.
* Experience of using and maintaining equipment.
Special knowledge
* Basic knowledge of human genetics, including the role of DNA and chromosomes.
Skills
* Good attention to detail.
* Manual dexterity.
* Well organised.
* Team player.
* Ability to keep accurate written and computerised records.
* Good written and verbal communication skills.
* Good time management skills.
* Able to follow written and verbal instructions.
Attributes
* Ability to cope with pressures of work.
* Able to handle a range of human tissue samples.
* Flexible approach to work.
* Interest in human genetics and laboratory technology.
* Recognises limits of responsibilities.
* Willing to learn.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. It will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer website
https://www.ouh.nhs.uk/
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