Healthcare Scientist Practitioner

External Quality Assessment (EQA) Services, a vital component of the UKHSA Quality and Regulatory Assurance division, offers proficiency testing (PT)/EQA schemes to food, water, and clinical microbiology laboratories across the United Kingdom and globally. These EQA schemes play a crucial role in ensuring that microbiology laboratories produce accurate, reliable, and reproducible results. Given that the outcomes reported by these laboratories significantly impact health protection and public health management, EQA/PT tools are essential.

The UK NEQAS for Microbiology team, operating within the EQA Services department, specialises in providing EQA schemes to clinical microbiology laboratories worldwide. As a Healthcare Scientist Practitioner, you will collaborate within the laboratory team to uphold quality standards and enhance testing accuracy.

Location

This role will be based full time at our UKHSA Colindale site (61 Colindale Ave, London, NW9 5EQ).

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

Working Pattern - Full Time, Flexible Working

Responsibilities section:

• Work responsibly and safely with large volumes of organisms in hazard groups 2/3 on daily basis.
• Prepare all types of quality assessment specimens distributed.
• Undertake quality control and stability testing of these specimens applying knowledge of diagnostic microbiology.
• Ensure all processes and results are documented in accordance with quality requirements.
• Ensure all non-conforming results are fully investigated and are brought to the attention of the scheme manager.
• Participate in rotation around the various sections within the clinical microbiology schemes.
• Ensure that health, safety, and welfare is an afforded priority over other issues and demonstrate a commitment to health, safety and welfare regarding self, staff, and visitors.
• Report/notify all accidents and incidents or near misses, dangerous situations or shortcomings in health and safety training instructions via the appropriate management structure.
• Participate in the internal and external safety audits, as required.
• Comply with safety policies, procedures, COSHH and risk assessments.
• Co-operate on matters of health and safety to enable UKHSA to comply with its health and safety responsibilities.
• Maintain a high standard of work and contribute to developing the service of the laboratory so that service delivery is safe, effective, and economical and follows best practice.

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.