Job Introduction
UK Health Security Agency is an executive agency of the Department of Health. They are a trusted source of advice to the government, the NHS, parliament, industry and to the public. UKHSA provides strategic leadership and vision for protecting and improving the nation’s health. Its ambition is to lead nationally, and enable locally, a transformation in the health expectations of all people in England, regardless of where they live and the circumstance of their birth. It will achieve this through the application of research, knowledge and skills.
The Microbiology laboratory at Cambridge current provides services to Addenbrooke’s, Royal Papworth, and the E&N Herts Hospitals, the surrounding district, and other NHS Laboratories. It has active research and epidemiological interests. Addenbrooke’s is closely associated with leading educational providers including the University of Cambridge and is a major centre for biomedical research and education.
To work as part of the laboratory team and assist in the efficient day-to-day running of an area in a section of the laboratory, to be able to rotate through all the different sections in the laboratory and to assist in the supervision and training of trainee BMSs or HCSSWs.
The post holder would be expected to assist in any UKHSA co-ordinated response or activity of a national/international nature, e.g. a Bioterrorism incident or a major disease outbreak, e.g. SARS, H5N1 influenza etc.
6 months fixed term contract.
Main Responsibilities
- Using microbiological, serological and molecular techniques, to work competently in all sections of the Laboratory, namely Serology, Virology, Molecular Diagnostics and Bacteriology.
- To be able to interpret and report on routine Microbiology tests.
- To liaise with senior BMS staff, medical and scientific staff in all matters relating to the diagnosis of infection.
- To assist in the day-to-day supervision and organisation of the less qualified staff in the allocated area.
- To ensure a sound knowledge of the laboratory IT system, to look up and enter results, book in patient data, request tests and other similar tasks.
- To process the specimens received and to undertake the related tasks in the various sections of the laboratory, leading to the reporting and interpretation of results in accordance with agreed policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
The Ideal Candidate
- BMS degree or equivalent.
- HCPC Registration is essential.
- Experience of working setting within a Lab.
- Public sector experience is desirable.