Jobs on offer at Sunderland's Covid testing sites - Who can apply and how much they pay

Sunderland City Council is preparing to announce more details over the boost to testing across Wearside after it signed up to further checks to be made as part of a Government drive to increase the scheme.

In the meantime, it has advertised for people to apply for site leaders and registration and test assistants to staff the centres.

Gerry Taylor, the council’s Executive Director of Public Health and Integrated Commissioning, said: “We are continuing to work with partners locally and across the region on developing plans for the roll out of targeted community testing, these plans include recruiting additional staff.

“We are hoping to be in a position to announce more details on the testing programme shortly.”

The council already supports the running of testing sites at Jack Crawford House in Hendon and in Brinkburn Crescent in Houghton, next to the leisure and health centres, with two mobile sites also covering areas where testing is needed.

What are they looking for in team members?

The job advert, which details how PPE will be supplied, says: “The ideal candidates should have experience working with members of the public and have excellent interpersonal skills.

"A high level of verbal, numerical and IT capability is essential as well as a strong attention to detail.”

Is there anyone who is not recommended to apply?

The council says unfortunately candidates must not be classified – or live with anyone classified – as belonging to any of the Covid-19 high risk groups, with the jobs only open to those aged 18 and over.

"You must not have a long-term condition, have immune deficiencies through medical conditions or therapy or be pregnant.”

Site leaders

They will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the site, including performance management and scheduling.

They will need to co-ordinate sample collection at the site for visitors as well as employees and the opening and closing of the site.

They will also act as a point of contact for “escalations and incidents”.

Those in the role will be paid £14.02 per hour.

Registration and test assistants

They will greet people as they arrive and keep orderly access to the centre and “maintain orderly access to the centre and ensuring all visitors are maintaining social distance”.

They will help people with the testing process and online registration.

The assistants will provide test kits and direction to the privacy booths, oversee the self-swab testing of visitors and keeping up the high standards of sample booths.

They will manage the processing of the swab, which includes preparation, validation, interpretation and recording of results and accurately submit data to the national portal.

The hourly rate is £10.01.

What hours will the centres be open?

The centres are open from 9.30am until 4.30pm, with one night during the week to 7.30pm.

People should be able to work a minimum of three sessions a week and be able to start straight away, although it adds the contracts are of a “temporary nature until this project is complete.”

The closing date is January 31 and more can be found by clicking here.