Healthcare Science Assistant

The Oxford Genetics Laboratories has a vacancy for a full time Healthcare Science Assistant to join the Specimen Reception team based at the Churchill hospital. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate manual dexterity, good organisational skills, accuracy, consistency and attention to detail in their work.This role would suit someone with zero or limited laboratory experience looking to start a career in Healthcare Science or someone looking for a change in career path. Previous laboratory experience is desirable but not essential, as full training will be provided and all work will be undertaken according to defined written protocols.Your main responsibilities will include receiving samples into the laboratory, entering information into the database and carrying out practical processes in the lab, e.g. cell culture and DNA extraction, to prepare the sample for use by other technical and scientific teams. Additional duties include general housekeeping, administration tasks, maintaining equipment and arranging to send samples to other laboratories.The laboratory is open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday and the pattern of full time work is typically rotation between 8am-4pm, 9am-5pm and 10am-6pm.Note that an application cap is in place and the advert may close earlier than stated. Please apply early to avoid disappointment. Any inteview dates shown are provisional and subject to change.Healthcare Science Assistants provide technical and administrative support for the department, acting under the supervision of Clinical Scientists or Genetic Technologists, but take personal responsibility to organise their own work on a daily basis, much of which is ongoing, routine and protocol-driven.They participate in defined regular duties, including monitoring of work areas for health and safety and cleanliness and general laboratory housekeeping tasks. They may undertake occasional other duties due to specific requests.They process a wide range of pathological specimens referred for a broad range of inherited conditions according to standard operating procedures, and are competent in the use of patient databases.They are expected to communicate technical and confidential information to colleagues within their department in electronic, written and verbal forms.Healthcare Science Assistants participate in the teaching and training load of the department through demonstration of own performance of appropriate standard operating procedures to new members of staff or less experienced employees within the limits of their experience. They also attend appropriate training seminars, and actively participate in regular section and departmental meetings.Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research. Find out more here www.ouh.nhs.ukThe Trust comprises four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community. We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence. These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via the OUH YouTube channel.For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Kate Gibson Job title: Lead Genetic Technologist Email address: Kate.Gibson@ouh.nhs.ukFor further information on the post please contact the laboratory on 01865 226001.