Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust

Medical Laboratory Assistant

The closing date is 04 January 2026

Job summary

Base Location: Frimley Park Hospital:

Berkshire & Surrey Pathology Services is one of the UK's largest NHS-led pathology networks, providing high-quality diagnostic services across multiple partner Trusts.
The service is seeking motivated and reliable individuals for Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) position.
As an MLA, you will support the delivery of safe, efficient laboratory services, working as part of a large, collaborative team.
Duties typically include specimen reception, basic laboratory tasks, data entry, and supporting biomedical scientists to ensure timely processing of samples.

Important:This position is not suitable for graduates' seeking progression into a Biomedical Scientist role. It is intended for candidates interested in an MLA career rather than using the role as a stepping stone to BMS training.

Main duties of the job

Work collaboratively with colleagues to deliver an efficient and effective service to all users of the Pathology Department.
Ensure the rapid and timely turnaround of pathology samples by accurately receiving, labelling, and entering specimen information onto the pathology computer system.
Contribute to the smooth running of a merged pathology service supporting both The Royal Surrey County Hospital and Frimley Park Hospital.
The post holder will be primarily based at Frimley Park Hospital, with occasional duties at The Royal Surrey County Hospital as required.
Maintain high standards of organisation, demonstrating efficiency, attention to detail, and effective communication always.
Use good keyboard and data-entry skills to support the accurate processing of patient information.
Demonstrate reliability, practical ability, and the capacity to work well as part of a team in a busy laboratory environment.
Embrace new ways of working and actively participate in developing your knowledge and skills.
Engage with training opportunities and make use of the support offered for ongoing career development.

About us

Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust is committed to being an inclusive and disability confident employer and has been awarded the Gold for the Armed Forces Employment Recognition Scheme.

We provide first class development opportunities for all staff and have a wide range of professional, management and leadership, and clinical skills training available.

Here at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, we know how important it is to have a healthy work life balance; this benefits not only individuals but the patients we care for too.

We encourage applications from people who wish to work on a flexible basis, recognising that flexibility may mean a range of different working patterns and hours, we do our utmost to work with our staff to meet their needs and the needs of our service and its users.

Frimley Health Trust benefits on Vimeo

Date posted

23 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£25,768 a year per annum incl HCAS

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

151-SL0513

Job locations

Wexham Park Hospital

Wexham Road

Slough

SL2 4HL

Job description

Job responsibilities

To carry out all procedures required for the preparation and storage of samples, including the use of pipettes to separate components or add solutions as appropriate.
Prepare sample containers and ensure adequate stock levels of laboratory consumables are maintained.
Operate and maintain relevant laboratory equipmentincluding centrifugesused in the preparation and processing of samples and requests.
Participate, when required, in performing simple designated tests, including those carried out on Point-of-Care analysers.
Assist in the training and induction of new staff members, demonstrating correct procedures and safe working practices.
Follow laboratory protocols to identify, manage, and condemn inadequate or mislabelled samples in accordance with departmental policy.
Arrange the preparation, packaging, and safe transportation of samples requiring referral to external laboratories for further analysis.
Ensure that samples associated with clinical trials are processed, stored, and documented correctly, in line with trial requirements and governance standards.

For more information on the main responsibilities of the role please see attached job description and person specification.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To carry out all procedures required for the preparation and storage of samples, including the use of pipettes to separate components or add solutions as appropriate.
Prepare sample containers and ensure adequate stock levels of laboratory consumables are maintained.
Operate and maintain relevant laboratory equipmentincluding centrifugesused in the preparation and processing of samples and requests.
Participate, when required, in performing simple designated tests, including those carried out on Point-of-Care analysers.
Assist in the training and induction of new staff members, demonstrating correct procedures and safe working practices.
Follow laboratory protocols to identify, manage, and condemn inadequate or mislabelled samples in accordance with departmental policy.
Arrange the preparation, packaging, and safe transportation of samples requiring referral to external laboratories for further analysis.
Ensure that samples associated with clinical trials are processed, stored, and documented correctly, in line with trial requirements and governance standards.

For more information on the main responsibilities of the role please see attached job description and person specification.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

O' level / GCSE standard English and maths

Desirable

RSA II

Skills & Knowledge

Essential

Able to be interactive in working group.
Effective and enthusiastic team member.
Capable of maintaining high standards of accuracy and safety in environments where routine contact with body fluids, biological agents, and chemical hazards is required.

Desirable

Basic knowledge of biology & chemistry.
A knowledge of Medical Terminology.
An understanding of basic health and safety principles.

Experience

Essential

Good keyboard experience.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

O' level / GCSE standard English and maths

Desirable

RSA II

Skills & Knowledge

Essential

Able to be interactive in working group.
Effective and enthusiastic team member.
Capable of maintaining high standards of accuracy and safety in environments where routine contact with body fluids, biological agents, and chemical hazards is required.

Desirable

Basic knowledge of biology & chemistry.
A knowledge of Medical Terminology.
An understanding of basic health and safety principles.

Experience

Essential

Good keyboard experience.

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Wexham Park Hospital

Wexham Road

Slough

SL2 4HL

Employer's website

https://www.fhft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Wexham Park Hospital

Wexham Road

Slough

SL2 4HL

Employer's website

https://www.fhft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)