University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust

Medical Laboratory Assistant

The closing date is 03 September 2025

Job summary

University Hospitals of North Midlands is currently unable to provide sponsorship this role. This is in accordance with UKVI guidelines and legislation, as these roles do not meet the skill nor salary threshold for sponsorship. If you hold a graduate visa, you are welcome to apply for this role however it is important to note that UHNM will be unable to offer sponsorship at the end of your graduate visa, you must also have at least six months until your graduate visa expires at the start of your employment for training and operational reasons.

The University Hospital of North Midlands, Mid Cheshire and East Cheshire NHS Trusts are working collaboratively to form a Pathology network in line with a NHSI directive.

Medical Laboratory Assistant - Haematology

Band 3 - 1.0 WTE / 37.5 hours (7-day working)

Macclesfield District General Hospital

Permanent Position

Main duties of the job

The post will be based in Haematology at Macclesfield District General Hospital as a Medical Laboratory Assistant. The position is permanent and full-time. The successful candidate will be expected to work core hours and late shifts at present. However they may be required to work 24/7 shift rota in the future.

About us

University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust is one of the largest and most modern in the country. Based across four main sites, Royal Stoke in Stoke-on-Trent ,County Hospital in Stafford, Leighton Hospital in Crewe and Macclesfield District Hospital in Cheshire. We are proud to serve around three million people and we're highly regarded for our facilities, teaching and research.

All of our employees make a valuable contribution regardless of role here at UHNM and we are proud of our wide range of development packages aimed at ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their true potential.

UHNM create and encourage a culture of inclusion, providing equal opportunities for career development that are fair and transparent. We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer and foster a culture in which all staff feel valued and respected. In return we ask all of our employees to make a commitment to the values, co-created by or staff, patients and carers, and that unite us as a Trust.

At University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust we know that investing in, supporting and developing our staff has a direct impact on the quality of care that we deliver. Our employees are as important as our patients and the population that we serve.

Details

Date posted

26 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

205-6894513

Job locations

Macclesfield District General Hospital

Victoria Road

Macclesfield

SK10 3BL


Job description

Job responsibilities

A post for a permanent, full-time, Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) is available in the Haematology Department based at Macclesfield District General Hospital. Participation in any form of extended working day may be required in the future.

The MLAs role is to support Biomedical Scientists within the Haematology & Blood Transfusion Department.

The successful applicant will be enthusiastic, well-motivated, possess excellent organisational and interpersonal skills and be committed to the provision of a high-quality laboratory service. Data inputting skills and attention to detail are essential for this role. Full training will be given for this post.

The Haematology & Blood Transfusion Laboratory is equipped with two Beckman Coulter DxH 900 FBC analysers, two Werfen ACL Top 350 coagulation analysers and Starrsed Auto Compact ESR analyser. Blood Transfusion is equipped with one Bio-Rad IH-1000 blood group analyser. LIMS is provided by Clinisys Winpath system.

The laboratory is ISO 15189 accredited and approved as a training laboratory for both HCPC Registration and Specialist portfolios. Continuous professional development is actively encouraged and attendance at appropriate internal and external courses is supported.

This post is based at Macclesfield District General Hospital and cross-site working may be a requirement.

For further information on this vacancy, please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification or contact the Hiring Manager.

Job description

Job responsibilities

A post for a permanent, full-time, Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) is available in the Haematology Department based at Macclesfield District General Hospital. Participation in any form of extended working day may be required in the future.

The MLAs role is to support Biomedical Scientists within the Haematology & Blood Transfusion Department.

The successful applicant will be enthusiastic, well-motivated, possess excellent organisational and interpersonal skills and be committed to the provision of a high-quality laboratory service. Data inputting skills and attention to detail are essential for this role. Full training will be given for this post.

The Haematology & Blood Transfusion Laboratory is equipped with two Beckman Coulter DxH 900 FBC analysers, two Werfen ACL Top 350 coagulation analysers and Starrsed Auto Compact ESR analyser. Blood Transfusion is equipped with one Bio-Rad IH-1000 blood group analyser. LIMS is provided by Clinisys Winpath system.

The laboratory is ISO 15189 accredited and approved as a training laboratory for both HCPC Registration and Specialist portfolios. Continuous professional development is actively encouraged and attendance at appropriate internal and external courses is supported.

This post is based at Macclesfield District General Hospital and cross-site working may be a requirement.

For further information on this vacancy, please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification or contact the Hiring Manager.

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential

  • Good standard of Education demonstrated by GCSE grades A-C in Maths, English and a Science subject
  • Relevant NVQ level 2 or equivalent. A suitable Apprenticeship such as Clinical Laboratory Support. The IBMS Certificate of Achievement.
  • Basic level of theoretical technical knowledge of the role
  • Awareness of Health and Safety matters.
  • Understanding the importance of confidentiality and data quality

Desirable

  • NVQ level 3 in Clinical Laboratory Support

Experience

Essential

  • Familiarity with IT systems
  • Experience of Data Entry
  • Experience of working in a team and alone
  • Experience of demonstrating tasks to others

Desirable

  • Previous experience of working in a Laboratory environment
  • Experience of working within the NHS

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Professional personal presentation and manner
  • Prepared to work flexibly including participating in weekend and other out of hours rotas as necessary
  • To participate in a shift pattern if required to do so by the relevant department
  • Ability and willingness to fulfil the travel requirements of the post and where necessary on rare occasion may reasonably be asked to work at another site where the Trust has responsibility for Pathology services
Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential

  • Good standard of Education demonstrated by GCSE grades A-C in Maths, English and a Science subject
  • Relevant NVQ level 2 or equivalent. A suitable Apprenticeship such as Clinical Laboratory Support. The IBMS Certificate of Achievement.
  • Basic level of theoretical technical knowledge of the role
  • Awareness of Health and Safety matters.
  • Understanding the importance of confidentiality and data quality

Desirable

  • NVQ level 3 in Clinical Laboratory Support

Experience

Essential

  • Familiarity with IT systems
  • Experience of Data Entry
  • Experience of working in a team and alone
  • Experience of demonstrating tasks to others

Desirable

  • Previous experience of working in a Laboratory environment
  • Experience of working within the NHS

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Professional personal presentation and manner
  • Prepared to work flexibly including participating in weekend and other out of hours rotas as necessary
  • To participate in a shift pattern if required to do so by the relevant department
  • Ability and willingness to fulfil the travel requirements of the post and where necessary on rare occasion may reasonably be asked to work at another site where the Trust has responsibility for Pathology services

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

University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust

Address

Macclesfield District General Hospital

Victoria Road

Macclesfield

SK10 3BL


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust

Address

Macclesfield District General Hospital

Victoria Road

Macclesfield

SK10 3BL


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Haematology Lead BMS

Tasaddaq Ali

Tasaddaq.Ali@uhnm.nhs.uk

01625661017

Details

Date posted

26 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

205-6894513

Job locations

Macclesfield District General Hospital

Victoria Road

Macclesfield

SK10 3BL


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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