Healthcare Scientist Associate Practitioner

The Gastrointestinal Bacteria Reference Unit (GBRU) is a National Reference Laboratory that provides specialist services for gastrointestinal and foodborne bacterial pathogens. As a Healthcare Scientist Associate Practitioner, you will provide technical support within the Unit, ensuring that GBRU provides a national and international service in all aspects of the work of the Section. This includes molecular and conventional microbiological analysis on a range of foodborne bacterial isolates and clinical and environment specimens.

Main duties will include:

• Providing technical support within the Unit
• Working with senior staff to ensure that both the service and non-service work of the unit is carried out in a safe, effective, timely manner and operates to a quality system
• Participating in research and development activities within GBRU
• Receiving, sorting, unpacking, labelling, and processing specimens in the laboratory
• Assisting in the provision of safe, timely, high-quality, and economical CL2 microbiological, serological, and molecular laboratory duties
• Undertaking DNA-based detection and typing for a range of pathogens with assays and techniques such as real-time polymerase chain reaction and whole genome sequencing (WGS)
• Assisting in providing a flexible laboratory response to emergency public health needs
• Evaluating and implementing new techniques/methods to the unit that enhance effectiveness of the laboratory work
• Providing technical support to GBRU Reference Services
• Ensuring efficient running and contributing to routine maintenance of all equipment
• Carrying out performance checks on equipment
• Managing stock control of the Unit

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.

Person Specification:

• Educated to A level, T level or NVQ Level 3 standard (or equivalent) in a Science subject
• Experience in working in a CL2 laboratory including the use of bacteriology or molecular techniques
• Knowledge and understanding of laboratory safety requirements and procedures
• Well-developed physical skills, especially in the manipulation of pipettes and other laboratory equipment
• Good understanding of quality assurance principles and procedures
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships

Benefits:

• Salary of £25,651 - £27,220 per year
• UK Health Security Agency contributes £7,431 towards being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme
• 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%