England’s first integrated Covid hub is now open in the north east.

Newcastle Hospitals manage the hub, working closely with Newcastle City Council together with colleagues from, Public Health England, local universities and industry.

The hub includes a Lighthouse laboratory at Baltic Park in Gateshead . Results reporting will be integrated into NHS Test and Trace, so they are quickly available to those who have been tested. The lab will supplement and work closely with existing NHS labs in the region.

Newcastle Hospitals manage the Lighthouse laboratory and are looking to appoint a number of Healthcare Science Associates who will form part of our clinical support team. Key features of the job will include rotation through different sections of the lab, whilst using practical skills to carry out various tasks including specimen preparation, RNA extraction and data manipulation using the laboratory networked computer system. Full training and supervision will be provided.

The post holders will work in accordance with laboratory standard operating procedures and quality standards, actively participating in other general laboratory duties including preparation of workstations and the storing, retrieval and disposal of clinical specimens. There will also be a requirement to maintain and perform basic troubleshooting on laboratory analysers, reporting any equipment, process or safety issues as and when required

With a Foundation Degree in Health Care Science or equivalent, or studying towards an undergraduate programme in a healthcare science-related subject, an understanding of basic scientific techniques, as well as the ability to follow protocols and instructions accurately is essential. As is the requirement to be organised and methodical, have good communication skills and effective computer and keyboard skills. You must be able to work under pressure and be able to prioritise work.

Knowledge or an interest in Biomedical Sciences, specifically Microbiology or Virology is desirable but not essential.

We have vacancies available working 37 ½ hours, 26 ¼ hours or 21 hours per week. Please note the shifts will be working either Sunday-Wednesday or Wednesday-Saturday per week. You will work on a rota working a week of day shift and then a week of night shift. Jobs will be available until 31 March 2022.

Base: Baltic Park, East Gateshead Industrial Estate, Gateshead (next to Gateshead International Stadium)

If you share the same energy, passion and commitment we do to deliver the best possible service to our patients, and would like to make a significant contribution to the health and wellbeing of our community, we would very much like to hear from you.

This is an exciting opportunity to take an active part in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic and ultimately help save lives.

We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and recognise the benefit in providing an inclusive workplace. We value diversity and aim to recruit a workforce that reflects the communities we serve, and is equipped to deliver the best service to our patients. We welcome all applications irrespective of people’s race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity and, in particular, those from under-represented groups.

Jobs will be available on a fixed term contract until 31 March 2022.

Closing Date:

08/08/2021

Interview Date:

14/08/2021

Contact Name:

Recruitment Team

Email Address:

nuth.covidrecruitment@nhs.net

Telephone:

0191-282 0999 option 2 option 1