Healthcare Scientific Support Worker – UKHSA Birmingham
Certificate of Sponsorship: Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome and will be considered.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is recruiting a Healthcare Scientific Support Worker to join its Public Health Laboratory in Birmingham.
This is a strong opportunity for someone looking to start or develop a career in laboratory science, particularly within microbiology and diagnostic services. The permanent position offers full-time, part-time, job-share and flexible working options, with a salary of £25,651 to £27,220 per year pro rata.
The role provides practical experience supporting clinical specimen processing, laboratory testing, quality control, equipment maintenance and other activities that contribute directly to patient care and public health.
Job Details
- Job title: Healthcare Scientific Support Worker
- Employer: UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
- Location: Birmingham, B9 5SS
- Salary: £25,651 – £27,220 per year, pro rata
- Contract: Permanent
- Working pattern: Full-time, part-time, job share and flexible working
- Job reference: 919-CG-300627-EXT
- Date posted: 9 September 2026
- Closing date: 16 September 2026
- Department: Public Health Laboratory
- Security requirement: Counter Terrorism Check (CTC)
- Working arrangement: Laboratory-based; no hybrid working
- Sponsorship: Skilled Worker sponsorship applicants are welcome to apply
About the Healthcare Scientific Support Worker Role
The UKHSA Public Health Laboratory in Birmingham provides a comprehensive microbiology service in partnership with University Hospitals Birmingham.
The laboratory supports Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital, Solihull Hospital and GP practices across the region.
As a Healthcare Scientific Support Worker, you will work alongside scientific and biomedical science professionals in a busy laboratory environment. The position offers exposure to different microbiology laboratory sections and the opportunity to develop practical experience across a range of service areas.
You will work under the local supervision of a Registered Biomedical Scientist, following established procedures, protocols and standard operating procedures.
The successful candidate will need to be organised, motivated and comfortable working as part of a multidisciplinary team. Attention to detail is particularly important because the work involves clinical specimens, laboratory records, equipment and patient-related information.
What You Will Do
The successful Healthcare Scientific Support Worker will provide technical, administrative and practical support to laboratory staff.
Key responsibilities include:
- Receiving and handling clinical samples.
- Preparing samples and reagents according to established protocols.
- Processing and preparing clinical specimens.
- Performing basic manual and automated laboratory tests.
- Assisting Biomedical Scientist staff with analytical techniques.
- Using automated laboratory equipment.
- Carrying out sub-culturing of specimens where required.
- Providing technical and administrative support to scientific staff.
- Completing clerical duties, computer work and data entry.
- Handling telephone enquiries.
- Providing a results service to wards, GPs and other hospitals.
- Dealing professionally with patients, visitors and deliveries.
- Monitoring laboratory stock levels.
- Receiving deliveries and preparing orders.
- Cleaning and disinfecting laboratory equipment and work areas.
- Monitoring and carrying out routine equipment maintenance.
- Disposing of tissue and patient samples in accordance with relevant guidelines.
- Autoclaving waste materials and patient samples, which involves moderate lifting.
- Following laboratory health and safety policies and procedures.
- Working within a Containment Level 3 laboratory when required.
- Participating in Quality Assurance and Quality Control activities.
- Supporting the department in maintaining UKAS accreditation.
- Taking part in audits, drug trials and research projects where required.
- Preparing samples before they are sent to reference laboratories.
- Assisting with the training of junior HSSW staff and trainee Biomedical Scientist staff.
- Referring non-routine issues to the appropriate supervisor.
The post holder may occasionally be required to work under the remote supervision of a Registered Biomedical Scientist while following defined SOPs and protocols.
Essential Requirements
Applicants should carefully review the essential criteria before applying.
You should have:
- GCSE grade C or above in Maths and English, or equivalent experience working in a laboratory.
- Experience using computerised data systems.
- Basic knowledge of health and safety.
- Previous experience working in an administrative environment.
- Experience using computerised data systems.
- Experience undertaking manual handling tasks.
The recruitment process places particular importance on meeting the essential criteria. Where there is a large number of applications, UKHSA may initially sift applicants based on the lead criterion of GCSE grade C or above in Maths and English, or equivalent laboratory experience.
Desirable Experience
The following would strengthen an application but are not listed as essential:
- Previous experience working in a microbiology laboratory.
- Previous experience working in a healthcare environment.
- Knowledge of laboratory consumables.
This means applicants without previous microbiology laboratory experience may still be considered if they can demonstrate the required essential skills and experience.
Salary and Working Arrangements
The salary for this permanent position is £25,651 to £27,220 per year, pro rata.
The vacancy offers several working options, including:
- Full-time
- Part-time
- Job share
- Flexible working
However, the role is specifically described as laboratory-based in Birmingham, and the advert confirms that hybrid working is not available.
Laboratory and Public Health Experience
One of the major attractions of this opportunity is the practical laboratory exposure available to successful candidates.
The role involves supporting microbiology services that contribute to diagnostic work and public health. You will have the opportunity to work across different laboratory sections and gain experience with specimen processing, sample preparation, laboratory equipment, quality control and routine testing.
For applicants hoping to develop a career in laboratory science, this can provide valuable experience working alongside Registered Biomedical Scientists and other members of a multidisciplinary healthcare team.
Visa Sponsorship and Right to Work
Important: The advert states that applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.
This means applicants requiring current Skilled Worker sponsorship are not automatically excluded from applying.
However, sponsorship eligibility is not the same as a guarantee that sponsorship will be issued. Applicants should independently check their eligibility and the applicable UK immigration requirements before applying.
The advert also contains specific security and residency requirements. Successful applicants will need to satisfy the required security checks, including Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance.
The advert states that applicants should normally have been resident in the UK for the previous three years for meaningful national security vetting to be carried out. It also notes that shorter UK residency may not necessarily prevent clearance in exceptional circumstances, and applicants should contact the vacancy holder or recruiting manager for advice.
Security Checks
This position is subject to security requirements.
Successful candidates must meet the necessary security requirements before appointment and will require:
- Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance.
- A basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Applicants should take these requirements seriously when considering whether the role is suitable for them.
Recruitment and Selection Process
The vacancy uses the Success Profiles recruitment framework.
The assessment will consider:
- Behaviours
- Strengths
- Experience
Stage 1 – Application and Sift
Applicants must complete an application form and submit a supporting statement of no more than 750 words.
The supporting statement should explain how your skills, experience and knowledge demonstrate that you meet the essential criteria for the position.
The employer states that the application form and supporting statement will receive a joint score.
Applicants should complete the application form in as much detail as possible because a CV cannot be uploaded as part of the application process.
The employer specifically advises applicants not to email their CV.
If there is a large number of applications, UKHSA may use longlisting and shortlisting stages.
Applicants may initially be grouped according to whether they:
- Meet all essential criteria.
- Meet some essential criteria.
- Meet no essential criteria.
The group meeting all essential criteria may then proceed to shortlisting.
Stage 2 – Interview
Successful applicants will be invited to a face-to-face interview at the UKHSA Public Health Laboratory Birmingham at Heartlands Hospital, Bordesley Green East, Birmingham, B9 5ST.
In exceptional circumstances, a remote interview may be offered.
The interview will assess behaviours and strengths.
The behaviours being assessed are:
- Seeing the big picture
- Communicating and influencing
- Working together – Lead behaviour
- Delivering at pace
Strength-based questions will also be used.
Interview dates are to be confirmed.
How to Prepare Your Application
Applicants should make their supporting statement closely match the essential criteria.
Rather than simply stating that you are organised or a team player, demonstrate this with evidence from your previous work, laboratory, administrative, healthcare or other relevant experience.
For example, you could highlight experience involving:
- Accurate data entry.
- Handling confidential or sensitive information.
- Working safely around equipment or materials.
- Following procedures and instructions.
- Manual handling.
- Working within a team.
- Using computerised systems.
- Supporting customers, patients or colleagues.
- Maintaining accurate records.
- Working under pressure while maintaining attention to detail.
Remember that the supporting statement must not exceed the employer’s 750-word limit.
Location
The position is based at the UKHSA Public Health Laboratory in Birmingham.
The listed job location is:
Laboratory
Birmingham
B9 5SS
United Kingdom
The interview location is listed as the UKHSA Public Health Laboratory Birmingham at Heartlands Hospital, Bordesley Green East, Birmingham, B9 5ST.
This is a laboratory-based position and does not offer hybrid working.
How to Apply
If you meet the requirements and are interested in developing your career within a public health laboratory environment, you can apply through the official NHS Jobs application system.
Closing date: 16 September 2026
When completing your application, pay particular attention to the essential criteria and ensure your supporting statement provides clear evidence of your suitability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this Healthcare Scientific Support Worker job offer visa sponsorship?
The advert states that applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside other applications.
Is this a permanent job?
Yes. The position is advertised as permanent.
What is the salary?
The advertised salary is £25,651 to £27,220 per year, pro rata.
Is the role full-time?
The employer offers full-time, part-time, job-share and flexible working arrangements.
Is previous microbiology experience essential?
No. Previous microbiology laboratory experience is listed as desirable, rather than essential.
Can applicants without healthcare experience apply?
Previous healthcare experience is also listed as desirable. Applicants should concentrate on demonstrating the essential criteria.
Is the position remote or hybrid?
No. The advert specifically states that the position is laboratory-based in Birmingham and that no hybrid working is available.
What security clearance is required?
The position requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) security clearance, as well as the relevant DBS check.
When does the vacancy close?
The closing date is 16 September 2026.
Final Takeaway
This UKHSA opportunity could be particularly interesting for candidates looking to build experience in laboratory science, microbiology, healthcare diagnostics and public health.
The combination of practical laboratory duties, multidisciplinary working, quality assurance activities and exposure to different microbiology sections makes this more than a routine administrative support role.
The advert also explicitly welcomes applications from people who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship, although applicants must still satisfy the relevant immigration, recruitment and security requirements.
With the vacancy closing on 16 September 2026, eligible applicants should prepare their application carefully and make sure their supporting statement directly addresses the essential criteria.
Job reference: 919-CG-300627-EXT
Source: UK Health Security Agency / NHS Jobs