Healthcare Scientific Support Worker

The United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is a system leader for health security; taking action internationally to strengthen global health security, providing trusted advice to government and the public and reducing inequalities in the way different communities experience and are impacted by infectious disease, environmental hazards, and other threats to health.

UKHSA’s remit, as an agency with a global-to-local reach, is to protect the health of the nation from infectious diseases and other external threats to health. As the nation’s expert national health security agency UKHSA will:

• Prevent: anticipate threats to health and help build the nation’s readiness, defences and health security
• Detect: use cutting edge environmental and biological surveillance to proactively detect and monitor infectious diseases and threats to health
• Analyse: use world-class science and data analytics to assess and continually monitor threats to health, identifying how best to control and mitigate the risks
• Respond: take rapid, collaborative and effective actions nationally and locally to mitigate threats to health when they materialise
• Lead: lead strong and sustainable global, national, regional and local partnerships designed to save lives, protect the nation from public health threats and reduce inequalities.

Job overview

The UKHSA Mycology Reference Laboratory in Bristol is one of the few reference laboratories that are situated outside the main reference facility currently housed at Colindale. The laboratory undertakes local diagnostic testing and national reference and referred tests across a varied panel, together these currently amount to more than 65,000 tests per year.

The Mycology Reference Laboratory (MRL) provides a comprehensive national diagnostic and reference service to assist with the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and surveillance of fungal infection and antifungal drug resistance.

This includes the isolation and identification of fungi from clinical material, serological, phenotypic, proteomic, molecular and biomarker tests, examination of histopathological sections, antifungal drug assays, in collaboration with the North Bristol Trust Antimicrobial Reference Laboratory, and susceptibility tests.

The MRL is also responsible for the provision of expert advice in the diagnosis, treatment and management of superficial and invasive fungal infection. The MRL is responsible for the UK National Collection of Pathogenic Fungi (NCPF). Together with the Quality Assurance Laboratory, the MRL is responsible for the UK National External Quality Assessment Scheme (NEQAS) for identification and susceptibility testing of fungi.

The MRL conducts formal training courses in mycology as well as providing individual training to visitors from the UK and abroad.

Main duties of the job

Key Responsibilities

• Receive specimens, and process requests in a timely manner.
• Receive deliveries and move them to appropriate location for storage.
• Responsible for the housekeeping and stock management of specimen reception.
• Participate in IQA/EQA schemes, as required.
• Prepare solutions and reagents for disinfecting the benches.

• Triage referred moulds suspected to be HG3 for processing at CL3.
• Put up manual antifungal susceptibility tests for moulds and yeasts
• Perform checks on safety critical equipment
• Make specialist mycological culture media.
• Process serum samples for beta glucan testing and other specialist mycological investigations.
• Perform quality checks and daily maintenance of readers.
• Sub-culture yeasts and moulds on to a variety of specialist mycological media.
• Supervise and assist in the training of visitors to the laboratory.

For a full list of the main duties and responsibilities of the role, please refer to the attached Job Description.

Working for our 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

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

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Laboratory housekeeping, clerical duties and other duties;

Taking into account the operational requirements of the laboratory. These duties will be carried out under supervision and guided by standard operating procedures (SOPs), protocols, or systems of work based on training.

• Including receipt and booking in of specimens, entry of data onto the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), distribution of specimens to the laboratories, making up the disinfectant solutions and other media requirements.
• To deal with queries arising from specimens received and telephoning senders for more information.
• To keep any databases/spreadsheets/telephone forms/error logs, relevant to specimen reception, and dispatch, up to date and available for management reports and audit.

• Identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal / individual development plan. Attending internal / external training events
• To participate in all mandatory training as required, e.g. fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training.

• The post holder will develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical, internal and external to UKHSA. This will include;

• Specimen Reception staff and managers
• Reference Mycology Services: operations and technical lead managers, Laboratory staff across Bacteriology and Virology Departments as required.
• Other laboratory staff throughout the National Infection Service and UK HSA.

• Customers of Reference Mycology, including NHS and private laboratories.

For a full list of the main duties and responsibilities of the role, please refer to the attached Job Description.

Selection Process Details

This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your Qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Competency-based assessments

• an Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• a 1000-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.

The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.

• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets some essential criteria
• Meets no essential criteria

Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on evidence of being a ‘Clear and concise communicator with good written and verbal skills.’

Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

Competency based

If successful you will be invited to a (single) face to face interview. the interview will take place at:

Southmead Hospital, Bristol, BS10 5NB

A simple practical test will be used at the interview.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Selection Process

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.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).

Location

Southmead Hospital, Bristol, BS10 5NB

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

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.

As face-to-face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Person specification

Essential criteria

• Good standard of general education, including GCSEs or equivalent level of education (may include NVQ Level 2 in Laboratory and Associated Technical Activities).
• Interest in science and technology
• Basic knowledge of health and safety and safe working practices
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and experience of using components of the package
• Understanding and experience of Data Protection legislation
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to work precisely and accurately at all times.
• Able to work as part of a team and to show willingness to help fellow team members and other staff
• Clear and concise communicator with good written and verbal skills
• Able to follow instructions – written and oral
• Able to multi-task and work flexibly, using own initiative to change priorities at short notice and work to deadlines
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships

• Previous laboratory experience
• Previous experience of using Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)
• Well-developed physical skills, especially in the use of laboratory and/or office equipment
• Experience of training staff

IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ

Your application may be rejected and/or you may be subject to disciplinary action if evidence of plagiarism is detected. Examples of plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence (AI), as your own.

Applicants must also meet necessary security and vetting requirements, along with any other relevant pre-employment checks.

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

For more information on job nationality requirements and the right to work in the UK, see the Civil Service Nationality rules (opens in a new window) and the UK Visas and Immigration rules (opens in a new window)

Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.

The Civil Service pay structure and progression is different from NHS Agenda for Change (AfC), most local authority pay grades and other systems that have annual pay increments. For further details, please refer to the Information Sheet- Starting Salaries & Benefits attachment.

For AfC or Medical/Dental posts, you must have the correct professional registration to be appointed. The pay will follow the AfC or Medical & Dental terms & conditions. You may be asked to provide evidence of previous service whilst we are conducting pre-employment checks to determine your starting salary.

You cannot take the post up as a fixed term. If you are an existing UKHSA member of staff, you will take up the post as either a level transfer or a temporary promotion as per the UKHSA’s Pay policy.

Given the nature of the work of the UKHSA, as a Category 1 responder under the Civil Contingencies Act, you may be required in an emergency, if deemed a necessity, to redeploy to another role at short notice. You may also be required to work at any other location, within reasonable travelling distance of your permanent home address, in line with the provisions set out in your contract of employment.

Late Applications will unfortunately not be considered.

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 equality of opportunity. 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: [email protected] 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 here.

Reserve List - If more than the required number of suitable candidates pass the interview criteria, you may be kept on a reserve list for 12 months subject to your agreement. You may be contacted, in merit-order, if similar roles with closely matching essential criteria become available and the department choose to appoint from a reserve list.

Interview expenses will not be reimbursed.

UKHSA is required to check employment and/or education history covering three consecutive years. Please ensure you give details of at least two different referees, even if you were employed in one company for three years or more.

If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system. Please note, all communication regarding your application will be made via email, please ensure you check your junk/spam folders as emails are sometimes filtered there.

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 https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.

Benefits of working at UKHSA include:

• Generous annual leave:
• 26 days for the first 5 years of continuous service
• 28 days after 5 years of continuous service
• 32 days after 10 years of continuous service
• Plus public holidays and one privilege day for the King’s birthday
• Access to a generous Defined Benefit pension scheme with employer contributions.
• Access to a cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme, season ticket advances and payroll giving.
• Access to a retail discounts and cashback site.
• We also promote flexible working patterns (part-time, job-share, condensed hours). UKHSA views flexible working as essential in enabling us to recruit and retain talented people, ensuring that they are able to enjoy a long-lasting career with us. All employees have the right to apply for flexible working and there are a range of options available including working from home, compressed hours and job sharing.
• We also offer a generous maternity/ paternity and adoption leave package.

Hybrid Working

UKHSA operates a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce.

As a hybrid worker, you will usually spend a minimum of 60% of your contracted hours (averaged over a month) working at one of UKHSA's locations (approximately 3 days a week pro rata) and the rest of your time working from home.

Disability Confident Scheme

If you wish to be included in this scheme please tick the box on your application form.

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 take into account 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 could be time accrued over that period.

Internal Fraud check

Currently this is only for External candidates to the Civil Service.