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Medical Laboratory Assistant - Entry Level
Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust View all jobs
Posted 4 day(s) ago
Reference: 319-8262340JA
Job summary
The post holder will work effectively as part of a team providing histopathology, cytopathology and autopsy clinical technical services to Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and local Primary Care Trusts.
They will perform a variety of technical, clerical and administrative duties that will facilitate the processing of patient samples for analysis to primarily assist in the differential diagnosis of cancer related disease.
They will support biomedical scientists and pathologists in the provision of an efficient diagnostic service.
This post falls within the provisions of Agenda for Change Annex 20 - Development of Professional Roles, whereby upon completion of an agreed set of competencies you may move onto the next pay band without the need for an application for a post at a higher level.
For further information on Annex 20, please see:
http://www.nhsemployers.org/tchandbook/annex-16-to-20/annex-20-development-of-professional-roles
Please note we reserve the right to close this vacancy prior to the closing date once the required number of suitable applications have been received.
Main duties of the job
o The post holder will work effectively as part of a team providing histopathology, cytopathology and autopsy clinical technical services to Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and local Primary Care Trusts.o They will perform a variety of technical, clerical and administrative duties that will facilitate the processing of patient samples for analysis to primarily assist in the differential diagnosis of cancer related disease.o The work involves handling biological samples and paperwork associated with this process therefore the departmental health and safety policies must be adhered to at all times.o They will support biomedical scientists and pathologists in the provision of an efficient diagnostic service.
About us
We manage three major locality hospitals at North Tyneside, Wansbeck and Hexham, plus a number of smaller community hospitals and clinics from Tynemouth to Berwick on Tweed, covering one of the largest geographical areas of any NHS trust in the country. Leading in innovation and quality - opening a state of the art Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital, the first of its kind in England. Do you want to work in one of the best performing NHS organisations in England? Work in an organisation that supports its staff and focuses on staff experience as much as it does the experience of its patients? You can live and breathe in an area that has the cleanest air, cost effective living, great nightlife, some of the best schools with a wealth of history available on your doorstep. Sound too good to be true? Well it isn't, this is what you get when you work for Northumbria Healthcare, this is the Northumbria Way! Please read 'applicant guidance notes' before submitting your application.
Details
Date posted
30 September 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 2
Salary
£25,272 to £27,476 a year pro rata per annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Part-time, Flexible working
Reference number
319-8262340JA
Job locations
North Tyneside General Hospital
Rake Lane
North Shields
NE29 8NH
United Kingdom
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder is responsible for resolving and dealing with routine day to day problems . They will make judgments with respect to: Accepting or rejecting poorly labelled specimens / forms and subsequent return to sender. Mislabelled slides. Misfiled blocks / forms/ specimens. Prioritising work and fast-tracking of urgent specimens. Post holder will refer to a state registered biomedical scientist if they cannot resolve a problem or are unsure of the correct procedure.
The medical laboratory assistant will organise their routine tasks to make efficient use of both time and resources. The post holder will be guided in their day to day activities by the MLA rota for laboratory tasks and will be directed by the senior biomedical scientist responsible for the section in which they are working.
The post holder provides a basic clinical technical Histopathology service. The post holder will ensure that they adhere to laboratory standard operating procedures. The post holder will maintain confidentiality of patient related information at all times. The post holder will be responsible for the receipt of patient samples into the laboratory. They will check patient and specimen identification and assign a laboratory number. Input of patient demographics and specimen details into the Telepath laboratory information System. The post holder will assist with a range of preparatory techniques that will facilitate the processing and analysis of patient samples. This will include :- assisting the pathologist with cut up procedures.- sorting and checking patient samples within the main laboratory.- sorting and labeling microscope slides. Handle stock provision for pathology stock items to wards and GP surgeries. General housekeeping duties including disinfection and dealing with spillages of potentially infectious/hazardous material. Assist in keeping the workplace clean and tidy, including preparation of laboratory disinfectants and routine maintenance of minor equipment. Required to carry out specimen storage and discard in accordance with standard operating procedures.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder is responsible for resolving and dealing with routine day to day problems . They will make judgments with respect to: Accepting or rejecting poorly labelled specimens / forms and subsequent return to sender. Mislabelled slides. Misfiled blocks / forms/ specimens. Prioritising work and fast-tracking of urgent specimens. Post holder will refer to a state registered biomedical scientist if they cannot resolve a problem or are unsure of the correct procedure.
The medical laboratory assistant will organise their routine tasks to make efficient use of both time and resources. The post holder will be guided in their day to day activities by the MLA rota for laboratory tasks and will be directed by the senior biomedical scientist responsible for the section in which they are working.
The post holder provides a basic clinical technical Histopathology service. The post holder will ensure that they adhere to laboratory standard operating procedures. The post holder will maintain confidentiality of patient related information at all times. The post holder will be responsible for the receipt of patient samples into the laboratory. They will check patient and specimen identification and assign a laboratory number. Input of patient demographics and specimen details into the Telepath laboratory information System. The post holder will assist with a range of preparatory techniques that will facilitate the processing and analysis of patient samples. This will include :- assisting the pathologist with cut up procedures.- sorting and checking patient samples within the main laboratory.- sorting and labeling microscope slides. Handle stock provision for pathology stock items to wards and GP surgeries. General housekeeping duties including disinfection and dealing with spillages of potentially infectious/hazardous material. Assist in keeping the workplace clean and tidy, including preparation of laboratory disinfectants and routine maintenance of minor equipment. Required to carry out specimen storage and discard in accordance with standard operating procedures.
Person Specification
Qualifications / Professional Registration
Desirable
- GCSE Maths and English
- ECDL / RSA or similar
Experience and knowledge
Desirable
- Experience of data entry
- Experience of working in a medical laboratory
Person Specification
Qualifications / Professional Registration
Desirable
- GCSE Maths and English
- ECDL / RSA or similar
Experience and knowledge
Desirable
- Experience of data entry
- Experience of working in a medical laboratory
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details
Employer name
Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Address
North Tyneside General Hospital
Rake Lane
North Shields
NE29 8NH
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.northumbria.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Address
North Tyneside General Hospital
Rake Lane
North Shields
NE29 8NH
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.northumbria.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)