Healthcare Scientific Support Worker

Salary & Grade: AO (National) £22,194 - £24,184

The laboratory in Bristol is situated within the Severn Pathology suite of laboratories at North Bristol NHS Trust Southmead site. The laboratory receives in excess of 1 million specimens a year from a large number of clinical specialties across the Bristol and Bath hospital trusts which contribute to an interesting and varied workload.

The scope of this role is to learn and maintain good laboratory practice in the interests of the departmental commitment to provide an efficient service and to become a positive member of a team or teams in the function of service provision.

As the post holder, you will act as a Health Care Scientific Support Worker (HSSW) to provide technical and clerical support to the scientific services to patients and customers as an aid to clinical diagnosis. You will be expected to rotate through various managed units within Infection Sciences where you will work as part of the laboratory team to provide a high level of microbiological analysis in order to provide patients with the highest level of diagnosis and treatment.

You will be responsible for the efficient processing of specimens and performing additional laboratory duties to ensure the efficient day to day performance of an area of the laboratory, under the supervision of Biomedical Scientist (BMS) staff.

You must have a keen interest in science, educated to GCSE or O level in Maths and English and Sciences (or equivalent).

Location

This is a lab-based role located at Bristol Laboratory, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, BS10 5NB.

*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.*

Responsibilities section:

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:

• To receive, sort, unpack, label and process specimens in the laboratory.
• To understand the use of the laboratory information system (LIMS) and undertake data entry e.g. for samples received and referred.
• To electronically request and receive tests and look up results etc.
• To solve minor problems with mislabelled or mislaid samples and to generate worksheets.
• Collect and transfer laboratory consumables and samples to and from delivery points, storage areas and workstations.
• To accurately prepare samples for analysis.
• To assist with the setting up of automated and semi-automated tests.
• To follow various technical procedures e.g. Preparation of specimens for C. difficile toxin detection.Inoculation of samples on to culture media etc.
• To maintain a high standard of competence in the performance of all tests appropriate to grade and investigations carried out in that area, following appropriate training.
• To perform technical work under the supervision of a BMS.
• To ensure important or unusual results are drawn to the attention of senior staff and to report complaints or anomalies as soon as possible.
• To use equipment in a safe and responsible manner.
• To perform general laboratory duties e.g. checking and cleaning instruments/equipment, recording temperatures, preparing reagents and assistance with stock control.
• To perform general clerical duties e.g. photocopying, filing, telephone answering, dealing with queries from clients, customers and other NHS staff and to undertake data entry.
• Assist in the training of other HSSW staff.
• To work in a conscientious and responsible manner ensuring care and accuracy.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.

Essential Criteria:

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of up to 1250 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:

• Interest in Science and technology
• Basic knowledge of health and safety and safe working practices
• Previous experience of using computerised data systems and working knowledge of Microsoft Office including Word and Excel
• Clear communicator with good writing, data entry and telephone skills ensuring accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Problem solving skills
• Able to work on own initiative, organising and prioritising own workload to set deadlines.

For full job description and further details, please click Apply Now.