Job summary We are looking for a laboratory assistant to join the Central Specimen Reception (CSR) team of Public Health Microbiology, at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). The CSR team has the responsibility for providing a sample receipt and delivery service for the Virus and Bacteriology Reference Laboratories, at the UKHSA Colindale site. The team is also responsible for rapid response to enhanced incidents, including National and International outbreaks of infectious diseases and new and emerging pathogens. Please note that this role requires the successful candidate to start work onsite at Colindale at 7.30am. Main duties of the job Your key responsibilities will include: Working at pace within the CSR team to deliver a timely service. Collecting sample packages from cold storage and delivering them to CSR Opening and sorting the samples, booking sample information into the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and generating labels Labelling forms and samples and transporting these to the laboratories. Contacting senders regarding errors in samples received, and returning/forwarding rejected samples, and completing the error log. Cooperating and supporting CSR management with all aspects of CSR work, including ordering stock and housekeeping duties. This is not an exhaustive list please see Job description document for full list of duties. 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. Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers Date posted 18 February 2025 Pay scheme Other Salary £27,712 to £28,344 a year per annum, pro rata Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working Reference number 919-LT-20374656-EXT Job locations Colindale London NW9 5EQ Job description Job responsibilities Working in CSR, you will be part of a team of Laboratory Assistants, who are responsible for providing an efficient and effective service for the Virus and Bacteriology Reference Departments. You will collect sample packages from cold storage and deliver them to CSR, where you will open and sort the samples, paying strict attention to set protocols, SOPs and risk assessments. You will use scanners and barcode printers to generate labels for forms and samples and enter patient and sample information into the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), before delivering samples and forms to the laboratories. As a member of the team, you will join a rota to work on the different benches and take responsibility for ensuring that all equipment is maintained and used correctly, and the working area is kept clean and tidy. All staff in the team will be responsible for communicating with internal and external laboratory staff, to discuss queries with samples, and will work with CSR managers to ensure samples that cannot be tested are returned or forwarded correctly and safely, and information is recorded on the error log. Please be aware that we will assess on the 7 essential criteria stated on the advert rather than the full list on the job description document. Essential criteria Interest in science and technology 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 and demonstrating excellent communication skills. Able to multi-task and change priorities, often at short notice and under pressure, to meet deadlines. Selection Process Details Stage 1: Application & Sift (Success Profiles) This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Abilities. You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 7 essential criteria, which have been selected from the job description, and this will be in the form of a: Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application) 500 word Statement of Suitability. This should outline how 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. 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 shortlisting. Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on: Interest in science and technology Able to work as part of a team and to show willingness to help fellow team members and other staff and demonstrating excellent communication skills. Able to multi-task and change priorities, often at short notice and under pressure, to meet deadlines. If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment 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. 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. Stage 2: Interview (Success Profiles) You will be invited to a single remote interview. Behaviours, abilities and strengths will be tested at interview. There will be an assessment following the interview- details will be provided to candidates successful at gaining an interview. The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be: Changing and improving Leadership Working together Developing self and others Interviews dates to be confirmed. 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 based at Colindale. Please note hybrid working is not available for this role. Security Clearance Level Requirement Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-terrorist Check. This role is being offered as office/lab based at our Scientific Campus in Colindale.If based at one of our scientific campuses, 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 External: Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants). Job description Job responsibilities Working in CSR, you will be part of a team of Laboratory Assistants, who are responsible for providing an efficient and effective service for the Virus and Bacteriology Reference Departments. You will collect sample packages from cold storage and deliver them to CSR, where you will open and sort the samples, paying strict attention to set protocols, SOPs and risk assessments. You will use scanners and barcode printers to generate labels for forms and samples and enter patient and sample information into the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), before delivering samples and forms to the laboratories. As a member of the team, you will join a rota to work on the different benches and take responsibility for ensuring that all equipment is maintained and used correctly, and the working area is kept clean and tidy. All staff in the team will be responsible for communicating with internal and external laboratory staff, to discuss queries with samples, and will work with CSR managers to ensure samples that cannot be tested are returned or forwarded correctly and safely, and information is recorded on the error log. Please be aware that we will assess on the 7 essential criteria stated on the advert rather than the full list on the job description document. Essential criteria Interest in science and technology 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 and demonstrating excellent communication skills. Able to multi-task and change priorities, often at short notice and under pressure, to meet deadlines. Selection Process Details Stage 1: Application & Sift (Success Profiles) This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Abilities. You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 7 essential criteria, which have been selected from the job description, and this will be in the form of a: Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application) 500 word Statement of Suitability. This should outline how 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. 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 shortlisting. Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on: Interest in science and technology Able to work as part of a team and to show willingness to help fellow team members and other staff and demonstrating excellent communication skills. Able to multi-task and change priorities, often at short notice and under pressure, to meet deadlines. If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment 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. 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. Stage 2: Interview (Success Profiles) You will be invited to a single remote interview. Behaviours, abilities and strengths will be tested at interview. There will be an assessment following the interview- details will be provided to candidates successful at gaining an interview. The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be: Changing and improving Leadership Working together Developing self and others Interviews dates to be confirmed. 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 based at Colindale. Please note hybrid working is not available for this role. Security Clearance Level Requirement Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-terrorist Check. This role is being offered as office/lab based at our Scientific Campus in Colindale.If based at one of our scientific campuses, 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 External: Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants). Person Specification Application form and Statement of Suitability Essential Application form and Statement of Suitability Behaviours Essential Changing and improving Leadership Working together Developing self and others Person Specification Application form and Statement of Suitability Essential Application form and Statement of Suitability Behaviours Essential Changing and improving Leadership Working together Developing self and others Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Employer details Employer name UK Health Security Agency Address Colindale London NW9 5EQ Employer's website https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)