Medical Laboratory Assistant

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a full-time band 3 Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) within the Cellular Pathology department at West Suffolk Hospital. As an MLA, you will play a vital role in supporting the delivery of high-quality diagnostic services. Working within the laboratory, you will gain the underpinning knowledge and skills required for the preparation and processing of patient samples.

No previous laboratory experience is required but would be advantageous. You will be working under the supervision of Biomedical Scientists and senior staff to allow you to develop the skills to work in a safe and efficient environment.

This role offers excellent opportunities for career development within pathology services and provides a route into scientific/technical roles within the NHS.

Please note this advert may close early if we receive a high number of applications.

Main duties of the job

Medical Laboratory assistants will be responsible for supporting the smooth running of the laboratory and will undertake duties such as:

Receiving, booking in and preparing patient samples

Operating and maintaining laboratory equipment

Accurate data entry onto laboratory information systems

Assisting with routine laboratory procedures

Maintaining a safe working environment

Working both independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team

You will be expected to work flexibly across different sections of the laboratory. Please refer to the job description for a full overview of the main duties associated with this job role.

About us

#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community

We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.

The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.

Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.

We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.