Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust

Medical Laboratory Assistant

The closing date is 07 December 2025

Job summary

THIS POST IS OPEN TO THE CORNWALL HEALTHCARE COMMUNITY ONLY.

Do you thrive in a busy, but friendly team environment? If so, we are looking for a bright, efficient individual to join our team at the Royal Cornwall Hospital NHS Trust's Department of Clinical Microbiology.

The Department undertakes microbiological testing for healthcare providers in Mid and West Cornwall.

Main duties of the job

Applicants will have a good basic standard of education, good keyboard skills and an enthusiasm to learn. Previous laboratory or NHS experience would be an advantage, although full training will be given.

The laboratory provides a seven day service, with extended working days. There will be a requirement to work 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Sunday, as agreed. It is anticipated that the post-holder will be expected to work approximately one in four weekends. However, there may be part-time opportunities available.

About us

The Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT) is the main provider of acute and specialist care services in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. We serve a population of around 500,000 people - a figure that can increase significantly with

visitors during the busiest times of the year. We employ approximately 6,700 staff and have a budget of approximately £580 million.

We are a teaching hospital in partnership with the University of Exeter Medical School, University of Plymouth School of Nursing and Midwifery, and Peninsula Dental School.

The Knowledge Spa on the Royal Cornwall Hospital site is the base for medical and nursing as well as ongoing education for health professions in clinical and non-clinical roles.

Keeping at the forefront of medical advances, we are continually developing our clinical services as well as our facilities and are committed to maximising the range of specialist care that can be offered locally. Allied to this is a growing reputation for research and innovation.

Details

Date posted

21 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year pa pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

156-7517220-A

Job locations

Royal Cornwall Hospital

Truro

TR1 3LJ


Job description

Job responsibilities

PLEASE NOTE: To view the full Job Description and Person Specification, please click the supporting document on the right-hand side.

To be an employee of the NHS you need to successfully complete the following:

  • Identity Checks
  • Professional registration and qualification checks
  • Employment history and reference checks
  • Occupational Health clearance
  • Satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check
  • Right to work in the UK

For further information please visit:

https://www.nhsemployers.org/topics-networks/employment-standards-and-regulation

We reserve the right to close this advert early.

We may be able to offer flexible working. Please discuss at interview.

We may be able to offer sponsorship but this is not guaranteed.

Job description

Job responsibilities

PLEASE NOTE: To view the full Job Description and Person Specification, please click the supporting document on the right-hand side.

To be an employee of the NHS you need to successfully complete the following:

  • Identity Checks
  • Professional registration and qualification checks
  • Employment history and reference checks
  • Occupational Health clearance
  • Satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check
  • Right to work in the UK

For further information please visit:

https://www.nhsemployers.org/topics-networks/employment-standards-and-regulation

We reserve the right to close this advert early.

We may be able to offer flexible working. Please discuss at interview.

We may be able to offer sponsorship but this is not guaranteed.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Good keyboard skills
  • Science based GCSE and / or A Level (or equivalent).

Desirable

  • Recent educational achievements relating to laboratory services.
  • Biomedical Science or Microbiology degree

Experience

Essential

  • Practical experience of a microbiology laboratory
  • Recent successful learning
  • Previous computerised data entry experience

Desirable

  • Experience of stock control.
  • Experience of using analysers or automation

Practical/Intellectual Skills

Essential

  • Must be precise, methodical and dextrous
  • Must have the ability to work with human fluid and tissue
  • Knowledge of Health and Safety in relation to the laboratory setting

Desirable

  • Previous experience of following written protocols / policies
  • Ability to prioritise
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Good keyboard skills
  • Science based GCSE and / or A Level (or equivalent).

Desirable

  • Recent educational achievements relating to laboratory services.
  • Biomedical Science or Microbiology degree

Experience

Essential

  • Practical experience of a microbiology laboratory
  • Recent successful learning
  • Previous computerised data entry experience

Desirable

  • Experience of stock control.
  • Experience of using analysers or automation

Practical/Intellectual Skills

Essential

  • Must be precise, methodical and dextrous
  • Must have the ability to work with human fluid and tissue
  • Knowledge of Health and Safety in relation to the laboratory setting

Desirable

  • Previous experience of following written protocols / policies
  • Ability to prioritise

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

Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust

Address

Royal Cornwall Hospital

Truro

TR1 3LJ


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust

Address

Royal Cornwall Hospital

Truro

TR1 3LJ


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Laboratory Manager

Richard Tandy

richardtandy@nhs.net

01872254900

Details

Date posted

21 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year pa pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

156-7517220-A

Job locations

Royal Cornwall Hospital

Truro

TR1 3LJ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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