Crynodeb o'r swydd
- Prif leoliad
- Laboratory
- Gradd
- Civil Service: Administrative Officer (AO)
- Contract
- Parhaol
- Oriau
- Llawnamser
- Rhan-amser
- Rhannu swydd
- Gweithio hyblyg
- Cyfeirnod y swydd
- 919-CG-301689-EXT
- Cyflogwr
- UK Health Security Agency
- Math o gyflogwr
- Public (Non NHS)
- Gwefan
- 61 Colindale Avenue
- Tref
- London
- Cyflog
- £27,712 - £28,344 per annum, pro rata
- Cyfnod cyflog
- Yn flynyddol
- Yn cau
- 10/09/2025 23:59
Teitl cyflogwr

Healthcare Science Support Worker
Civil Service: Administrative Officer (AO)
Trosolwg o'r swydd
- To provide general support services for scientific and clerical activities of the department.
- To provide support and assistance in preparation and dispatch of simulated specimens to participants worldwide.
- To ensure that large, consolidated paperwork are packed accurately and in a timely manner.
Located in Colindale and Central London (and hosted by UK Health Security Agency), responsible for the organisation and global delivery of the National External Quality Assessment Service (NEQAS) for microbiology (bacteriology, virology, molecular and parasitology schemes). Participants of the schemes receive regular distributions of specimens of known but undisclosed content which when examined by participants provide a valuable educational exercise and serves as a part of the quality assurance of the laboratory. UK NEQAS Microbiology serves over 2000 participants in over 100 countries.
Prif ddyletswyddau'r swydd
Technical/Scientific Duties
General:
- Plan own work within HCS Support Worker (LSS) team daily
- Reception and clerical duties
- Welcome visitors
- Collate large amounts of paperwork (on a rotational basis)
- Assist with general administration duties, this may include the use of MS Office and other IT applications at basic level
Laboratory:
- Clean benches and equipment on regular basis.
- Make up/dilute, decant and maintain stocks of solutions.
- Assist with the preparation of simulated specimens, labelling microscope slides and other receptacles. The work may involve handling human blood components and micro-organisms.
- Assist with the pre-packing of simulated specimens
- Assist with consolidation of specimen distributions and paperwork for dispatch to participants according to a pre-planned schedule
- Printing of labels using a computer-based system
- Technical work in the laboratory as required by supervisory staff
Wash up/Sterilisation:
- To use equipment including autoclaves and ovens to sterilise lab ware.
- To collect laboratory waste and prepare for disposal.
- To wash up and prepare glassware as appropriate.
Gweithio i'n sefydliad
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
Swydd-ddisgrifiad a phrif gyfrifoldebau manwl
Key working relationships
Internal:
- To work as part of the UK NEQAS for Microbiology and wider EQA Services team
- To liaise with staff throughout UKHSA Colindale as appropriate
External:
- To liaise with users of UK NEQAS for Microbiology services
Communication:
- With UK NEQAS for Microbiology colleagues and staff throughout UKHSA Colindale
- With line manager on work-related matters
- Reporting to line manager and senior staff, anomalies with procedures
- Assist in the maintenance of good customer relations
Personal & People Development:
- Actively participate in annual performance and development reviews.
- Develop and maintain good working relationships with staff
- To assist in training of new members of LSS staff
Health, Safety & Security:
In accordance with UKHSA policies and procedures:
- To ensure that health, safety and welfare is an afforded priority over other issues and to demonstrate a commitment to health, safety and welfare regarding self, staff and visitors.
- To work in a safe manner.
- To report all accidents and incidents.
- To comply with safety policies, procedures, COSHH and risk assessments.
- To participate in the internal and external safety audits, as required.
- To co-operate on matters of health and safety to enable UKHSA to comply with its health and safety responsibilities.
- To notify any accidents, incidents or near misses’, dangerous situations or shortcomings in health and safety training instructions via the appropriate management structure.
Your attention is drawn to the Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974 which requires you to take reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself and others who may be affected by your acts and omissions at work; and co-operate with UKHSA on any matters of health and safety.
Quality:
In collaboration with the Quality Team:
- Maintain a high standard of work and contribute to developing the service of the laboratory so that service delivery is safe, effective and economical and follows best practice.
- Contribute to internal and external quality assessment programs.
- Ensure compliance with the appropriate accreditation and certification standards.
- Contribute to internal and external audit programs and corrective actions.
- Take every effort to suggest quality improvements.
Service Improvement:
- Work with other staff to improve working practices.
Equality & Diversity:
- Be aware of the relevant legislation and behave in a manner acceptable to all groups of staff
Estates & Facilities:
- Contribute to the care, maintenance and security of laboratory premises and equipment.
- Monitor equipment as required, reporting deficiencies or discrepancies to supervisory/senior staff.
Information & Knowledge:
- Use QPulse to retrieve controlled documentation
- Basic use of IT applications
Development & Innovation:
- Assist with the development and introduction of new specimen types.
Procurement & Commissioning:
- Maintain stores including, stock control and receiving goods in the department.
Essential Criteria:
- Educated up to NVQ 2 level in a Healthcare Science/Pathology or equivalent level of qualification or previous experience of working in healthcare Science /Pathology settings.
- Experience of manual dexterity type of work
- You have a methodical approach to tasks
- Basic understanding of general safety
- Familiar with MS Office programs
- Evidence of interest in people and quality of service
- Interest in laboratory work
- Able to convey information to staff at all levels
- Be flexible in responding to unexpected changes in planned work
- Ability to integrate into a team
- Attention to detail
- Able to concentrate for long periods of time
- Basic computer literacy
Desirable criteria:
- Laboratory experience
Selection Process Detail
This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications, knowledge and experience and skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
Competency-based Statements
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 13 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of:
• An Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• 750 word Supporting Statement
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 supporting statement will be marked together.
Longlisting:
In the event of a large number of applications we may longlist into 3 piles of:
• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets some essential criteria
• Meets no essential criteria
Those that ‘meet all essential criteria’ will proceed to shortlisting.
Shortlisting:
In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on the following essential criteria:
- Educated up to NVQ 2 level in a Healthcare Science/Pathology or equivalent level of qualification or previous experience of working in healthcare Science /Pathology settings.
- Interest in laboratory work
Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications / large amount of successful candidates
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment
Please do not exceed 750 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage
Interview stage:
You will be invited to a face-to-face interview in Colindale, London.
Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview.
Interview dates are yet 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.
Eligibility Criteria
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
Location
This role is being offered as office/lab based at our Scientific Campus in Colindale, London.
Security Clearance Level
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.
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.
Manyleb y person
Application Form and Supporting Statement
Meini prawf hanfodol
- Application Form and Supporting Statement
Essential Criteria
Meini prawf hanfodol
- Questions on experience, knowledge and skills
Dogfennau i'w lawrlwytho
Rhagor o fanylion / cyswllt ar gyfer ymweliadau anffurfiol
- Enw
- Carmelita Goodwin
- Teitl y swydd
- Resourcing Support
- Cyfeiriad ebost
- [email protected]
- Gwybodaeth i gefnogi eich cais
For more information or to arrange an informal discussion about this role, please contact the Hiring Manager, Priya Patel via [email protected].
Rhestr swyddi gyda UK Health Security Agency yn Gwasanaethau Gwyddor Iechyd neu bob sector