# Healthcare Scientist Support Worker (Laboratory Assistant) **Company**: UK Health Security Agency **Location**: London **Work arrangement**: onsite **Job type**: Full time **Salary**: GBP 29,613 - 30,266 per year **Category**: Healthcare **Industry**: Healthcare **Apply**: https://www.jobsgopublic.com/job/healthcare-scientist-support-worker-laboratory-assistant-110208?utm_source=yubhub.co&utm_medium=jobs_feed&utm_campaign=apply **Canonical**: https://yubhub.co/jobs/job_bdfce043-50b ## Description The Food, Water and Environmental (FW&E) Microbiology Laboratories are specialist microbiology laboratories within the UKHSA. Based in 3 sites across the country, the laboratories are geographically well placed to work with local authorities to protect the public from health threats posed by contaminated food, water and the environment. The London FW&E Laboratory provides a microbiology testing and advisory service to Local Authorities, Port Health Authorities, hospitals and commercial clients across London, Southeast England, and Midlands Regions. The laboratory is accredited to ISO 17025 and is recognised as an Official Laboratory for the microbiological examination of food and foodstuffs within the EU. The post holder will provide a range of routine tasks, including sample reception and preparation and will work as part of a team to perform routine examination of samples and update laboratory IT systems. **Communication and key working relationships** 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; - Laboratory Management Team - Laboratory staff across the FW&E Service - Other laboratory staff throughout UKHSA - Local and Port Health Authorities - Commercial Customers - Professional Contacts including UKAS **Service Delivery** - Contribute to the provision of an analytical microbiology service for food, water and environmental samples - Under supervision, assist in the receipt of samples into the laboratory and complete pre-analysis processing of specimens - Work as part of a team to undertake routine preparation and examination of a wide range of samples under supervision - Become competent in the use of laboratory equipment including balances and pipettes - Re-stock laboratory consumables, sterile equipment and glassware - Assist with waste disposal following local procedures - Respond to requests and accurately communicate information and results to other laboratory staff, as required - Refer queries to other, more senior staff, as appropriate **Quality Systems Management** - Participate in activities necessary for the maintenance and development of the Quality System in accordance with UKAS requirements - Support the laboratory’s accreditation to ISO 17025 and ensure compliance with UKAS and other accreditation and certification standards **Asset Management** - Ensure efficient running and contribute to routine maintenance of all equipment, which will include high cost, complex equipment requiring calibration and regular maintenance - Take responsibility for stock control in the FW&E laboratory, ensuring sufficient stock levels are maintained for efficient service provision - Contribute to the care, maintenance and security of laboratory premises and equipment in order to ensure efficient and safe operation **Strategy, Policy and Service Development** - Support the implementation of new methods and technologies into the laboratory, in order to maximise quality and efficiency of testing - Support appropriate income generation activities for the laboratory, in accordance with the National FW&E objectives, in conjunction with the Laboratory Management Team **IT Infrastructure** - Become competent in the use of the laboratory’s IT systems and assist with the basic inputting of data into the system **Security / Health & Safety** - Ensure confidentiality and conformity to the requirements of the Data Protection Act, Caldicott principles and the Laboratory Information Systems and Technology Security policy - Ensure that health and safety are afforded priority and to demonstrate commitment to health, safety and welfare of self, staff and visitors - Ensure attendance of self and managed staff on safety training courses as required in the UKHSA Health and Safety Training Policy and other safety policies as appropriate. - Agree to implement safety objectives - Ensure that a Laboratory/Office Safety Code is implemented. - Ensure that risk assessments are implemented and maintained. - Report risks that cannot be controlled to the Laboratory Manager - Notify accidents, near misses, dangerous situations and shortcomings in health and safety via the appropriate management structure **Other** - The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by your line manager. - The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the division and UKHSA. - It should be noted that the work of the division is of a confidential nature and must not be communicated to other persons except where required for authorised purposes. **Professional Development** - 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 - Participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training. **Person specification** **Essential Criteria:** - Previous experience of working in a laboratory using computerised data systems - Knowledge and understanding of laboratory safety requirements and procedures - Experience of managing and communicating sensitive/confidential information - Working knowledge of Microsoft Office including Word and Excel - Clear communicator with good writing, data entry and telephone skills ensuring accuracy - Flexible approach to work - An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships ## Skills ### Required - laboratory safety requirements - computerised data systems - Microsoft Office - communication skills --- Source: [Apply at jobsgopublic.com](https://www.jobsgopublic.com/job/healthcare-scientist-support-worker-laboratory-assistant-110208?utm_source=yubhub.co&utm_medium=jobs_feed&utm_campaign=apply)