Healthcare Scientist Practitioner
UK Health Security Agency
Colindale, NW9 5EQView on map(opens Google Maps in a new tab)
Salary
£32,624 to £37,737
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Not specified
Closing date
9 November 2026
14 days leftJob description
The Food, Water and Environmental Microbiology Services (FWEMS) Laboratories are specialist microbiology laboratories within the UKHSA. Based in 3 sit...
- Participate in the provision of an analytical service, including the production of accurate and relevant results and reports.
- Assist with the supervision of the day to day running of the laboratory. Be involved in all aspects of sample reception and complete pre-analysis processing for the microbiologicalexamination of samples received in the laboratory, ensuring samples are valid and tested appropriately.
- Work independently or as part of a team (under guidance) to undertake the full microbiological analysis of a wide range of samples, including test selection, in accordance with laboratory and customerrequirements.
- Ensure important or unusual results are drawn to the attention of more senior staff and report complaints and anomalies as soon as possible.
- Assist other team members in all aspects of technical work and take on delegated responsibilities from more senior staff.
- Assist in the management of outbreaks, ensuring adequate resources are available to carry out the necessary work. Liaise with medical, scientific, and other staff of the UKHSA in all matters of common interest.
Customer Relationships
- Respond to requests and accurately communicate routine, unequivocal results to customers, including interpretation and reporting of written and verbalresults.
Please note, the above is not exhaustive.
- Participate in activities necessary for the maintenance and development of the Quality System in accordance with UKAS requirements.
- Support the laboratorys accreditation to ISO 17025 and ensure compliance with UKAS and other accreditation and certification standards.
- Assist the Quality Manager in ensuring good working practices and maintain a high standard of work.
- 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.
- Assist in the maintenance of stocks of reagents and consumables, ensuring that they are received, stored, verified and used appropriately.
- Contribute to the care, maintenance and security of laboratory premises and equipment in order to ensure efficient and safe operation.
Management
- Take responsibility for the supervision of the day-to-day activities of less experienced staff.
- Assist in the improvement and development of the service, in the interests of efficiency and in order to meet changing demands.
- Support the implementation of new methods and technologies into the laboratory, in order to maximise quality and efficiency of testing.
- Support and participate in FW&E surveys, trials and research work and projects in collaboration with other senior staff of the FWEMS laboratories.
- Support appropriate income generation activities for the laboratory, in accordance with the National FWEMS objectives, in conjunction with the Laboratory Management Team.
- Participate in periodic reviews of laboratory methods with respect to performance and relevance.
IT Infrastructure
- Become competent in the use of the laboratorys IT systems and participate in the basic inputting of data into the system.
- Ensure confidentiality and conformity to the requirements of the Data Protection Act, Caldicott principles and the Laboratory Information Systems andTechnology 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 othersafety policies as appropriate.
- Ensure that a Laboratory/Office Safety Code is implemented.
- BSc (Hons) Science degree or BTEC with previous experience in microbiology OR equivalent laboratory experience
- Understanding of quality management systems, especially in relation to UKAS Accreditation
- Knowledge and understanding of laboratory safety requirements and procedures
- Skills for communication of complex information and administrative matters, requiring developed interpersonal and oral/ written communication skills
- Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands
- Ability to work on own initiative and organise own workload with minimal supervision, working to tight and often changing timescales
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
Application and supporting statement
Essential: - Application and supporting statement
Behaviours
Essential: - Working Together; - Managing a Quality Service; - Delivering at Pace
Technical Test
Essential: - Technical Test
How to apply
Applications are handled entirely by the employer on the original advert. We do not collect CVs, supporting statements or application data.
Provenance
Source
NHS Jobs
First seen
26 October 2026
Last checked
26 October 2026
Salary, closing date and description are taken from the employer's advert. The original advert always takes precedence.
About the employer
NHS organisation
This listing was structured from NHS Jobs. Vacancy details and the application process remain the responsibility of the original source.
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