Healthcare Assistant Laboratory Specialist

Healthcare Assistant Laboratory Specialist
Salary: £23,500pa, 35 hours per week (Mon-Fri)
Location: Newcastle

Summary
We are currently recruiting for a Healthcare Assistant Laboratory Specialist to join a world leading imaging study at out new state of the art clinic in Reading.

The UK Biobank project is intended to provide comprehensive brain, body, cardiac, carotid and bone imaging on a subset of 100,000 volunteers. The Imaging Centres are open for 13 hours a day, 7 days a week with the aim of processing 18 participants per day.

The Role
Working within the imaging team, the HCA Laboratory Specialist will ensure the smooth running of laboratory processing. This will include the supervision of the daily laboratory activities conducted by HCA's, reporting and monitoring work undertaken for the Team Leader and CORE laboratory team. This includes, but is not limited to; HCA lab activities such as aliquoting blood taken in the clinic for storage, centrifuging samples, maintenance, sample tracking, shipping, ensuring records are completed and reviewed accurately within the target timeframe, stock management, reporting and monitoring.

The postholder will also undertake venepuncture, physical measures, directing participants through their visit, verifying participants identity and also maintain general cleanliness/tidiness of the imaging centre. Additionally, you may also be expected to assist with other areas including 12-lead ECG measurements and carotid ultrasound in which training would be provided.

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate experience in performing laboratory work to a high standard and will work closely with the CORE laboratory team in Cheadle.

The role would suit an individual with previous laboratory experience, who is self-motivated, can show initiative and can work individually but also as part of team.

To be considered for this role, the following skills and experience are required:

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
* BSc in a relevant scientific area
* 1 year (minimum) experience working in a laboratory environment
* Awareness of the Human Tissue Act
* Must be able to undertake repetitive tasks to a high quality
* Must exhibit attention to detail, with a specific focus on quality
* Experience of working within a team and troubleshooting equipment and processes
* Disciplined in relation to following protocols and procedures
* Experience of writing SOP's
* Must be proficient In IT (Microsoft Office)
* Familiarity with ISO standards (ISO 9001, ISO 15189, ISO 27001), COSHH and risk assessments
* Experience of laboratory equipment maintenance
* Experience of sample handling and tracking in line with quality standards
* Must be polite and approachable
* Experience of suggesting and implementing ideas for improving systems or processes.
* Must be an excellent communicator, both spoken and written
* Willingness to travel to other sites when required

DESIRABLE CRITERIA:
* Experience of working in a clinical or medical environment
* Knowledge of IR(ME)R and safety awareness
* Experience of supervising a team
* Experience of working with the public
* Experience of using LIMS
* Full clean UK driving licence preferred

We offer a competitive salary, and holidays based on an equivalent of 26 days holiday, membership of the USS pension scheme and several other employee benefits are also provided.

The closing date for applications is 5 Friday 23rd February 2018.

UK Biobank operates to ISO9001:2015 and ISO27001:2013 regulations as well as UKAS 17025:2005 regulations.

To apply please forward your CV by clicking 'Apply'.