Contents Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information Location Manchester, North West England, M13 9WL About the job Job summary The UK Health Security Agency exists to protect and improve the nations health and wellbeing and reduce health inequalities. We do this through world-leading science, knowledge and intelligence, advocacy, partnerships and the delivery of specialist public health services. We are an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care, and a distinct delivery organisation with operational autonomy. We provide government, local government, the NHS, Parliament, industry, and the public with evidence-based professional, scientific and delivery expertise and support. 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 flexibly between the hours of 8.30 am - 8 pm Monday to Sunday. Works as part of Laboratory Team Be expected to rotate through various managed units within Virology Job description Your key 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. Provide results service to wards, GPs, and other hospitals Dealing with patients, visitors, and deliveries. Monitor and maintain appropriate stock levels, receipt of deliveries and preparation of orders. Cleaning and disinfection of equipment and laboratory areas. Perform 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). The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Person specification Essential Criteria: Previously worked in Laboratory Experience of working in a health care environment Clear communicator with good writing, data entry and telephone skills ensuring accuracy Ability to work effectively as part of a team Able to work on own initiative, organising and prioritising own workload to set deadlines An ability to maintain confidentiality and trust Good time keeping Flexible approach to work Ability to follow written protocols Benefits Alongside your salary of £23,489, UK Health Security Agency contributes £6,804 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% Things you need to know Selection process details Stage 1: Application & Sift You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the 9 essential criteria listed, and this will be in the form of a: Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application 750 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. Please note that you will only be assessed on the essential criteria listed within the advert and not all those listed in the job description. The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together. 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 Piles Meets all essential criteria and Meets some essential criteria will be moved through to the shortlisting stage. Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on: Experience of working in a healthcare environment Please do not exceed 75 0 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number. If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview. 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. Feedback will not be provided at this stage. Stage 2: Interview (competency based) You will be invited to a (single) face to face interview. Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview. There may be a Technical Test/assessment. 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 role is being offered as lab based at our site in Manchester. If based at one of our labs, you will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. 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. Eligibility Criteria Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants). 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/ Artificial Intelligence (AI) 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. Security Clearance Level Requirement Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check. 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. 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. Medical Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical. 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. 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). Apply and further information The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in 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 : Harry McCullagh Email : harry.mccullaghukhsa.gov.uk Recruitment team Email : harry.mccullaghukhsa.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: Complaintsukhsa.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/ Apply at advertiser's site Share this page Print Email Gmail Facebook LinkedIn