Barts Health NHS Trust

Medical Laboratory Assistant

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

We are looking forband 3 Medical Laboratory Assistant for the Central Specimen Reception Department.

The department provides a 24/7 service and the successful candidate will be required to participate in the shift system to cover early, late, weekend and bank holiday rosters. Some night duties may also be required.

This role will be based at Newham Hospital, however cross site working will be required, and the successful applicant may be required to work at any of our NHS ESEL Pathology Partnership sites.

The laboratories are UKAS and HCPC accredited. Our commitment to supporting continuing professional development is evidenced by an excellent training record.

Main duties of the job

The duties will be varied, and we have a team of MLA's who undertake tasks on a rotational basis.

The post holder is expected to work as part of a team to receive, sort, book distribute specimens within Pathology. Core duties involve receipting of specimens and entering data into the laboratory information systems, basic preparation of specimens where appropriate, and placing them into racks on automated tracks or taking them to laboratory areas for processing.

We are looking for people with a positive attitude to working in a flexible manner and with the ability to work accurately when under pressure to meet deadlines. The post will require a keen eye for detail and accuracy.

The successful candidate should have the ability to follow written protocol, along with the ability to work with minimal supervision.

About us

The NHS East and South East London Pathology Partnership is an arms-length organisation providing pathology services to Barts Health NHS Trust, Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust. The Pathology Partnership is hosted by Barts Health.

The Pathology Partnership is based on well-established models for pathology networks, with the Royal London Hospital becoming the main hub laboratory for the network and Essential Service Laboratories (ESL) as a minimum at all other Hospital sites.

Pathology is made up of the following services - Blood Sciences including Haematology, Blood Transfusion and Biochemistry; Infectious Diseases including Microbiology and Virology; Cellular Pathology including Histopathology, non-gynae Cytology and mortuary services; Immunology; Cytogenetics and Molecular Haematology; Immunophenotyping; Clinical Transplantation and Retinoblastoma.

The 2020/21 total operating costs across the Partnership were c. £126m per annum with a workforce establishment of circa. 822 WTE. We strive to live by our WeCare values and are committed to promoting inclusion, where every staff member has a sense of belonging. We value our differences and fully advocate, cultivate and support an inclusive working environment.

Details

Date posted

03 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£29,176 to £30,225 a year per annum inc pro rata (pay award pending)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

259-6955336ESEL-C

Job locations

Newham Hospital

London

E13 8SL


Job description

Job responsibilities

4. The requirements for this position are English, Maths and Science GCSEs at A-C Level. Previous NHS experience and working within a laboratory-based environment is advantageous.

T The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience, and knowledge required. For both documents, please view the attachment/s below.

*PLEASE NOTE WE ARE UNABLE TO PROVIDE SPONSORSHIP FOR THIS ROLE*

Following the recent update on UK immigration policy for those on a Health and Care Visa or Skilled Worker Visa, please click on the link to check your eligibility before applying for this post - Impacts of the changes to the UK immigration policy | NHS Employers

**We reserve the right to close this vacancy prior to the advertised closing date, once a sufficient number of applications has been received and we regret that we are unable to provide notification if your application is unsuccessful**

Job description

Job responsibilities

4. The requirements for this position are English, Maths and Science GCSEs at A-C Level. Previous NHS experience and working within a laboratory-based environment is advantageous.

T The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience, and knowledge required. For both documents, please view the attachment/s below.

*PLEASE NOTE WE ARE UNABLE TO PROVIDE SPONSORSHIP FOR THIS ROLE*

Following the recent update on UK immigration policy for those on a Health and Care Visa or Skilled Worker Visa, please click on the link to check your eligibility before applying for this post - Impacts of the changes to the UK immigration policy | NHS Employers

**We reserve the right to close this vacancy prior to the advertised closing date, once a sufficient number of applications has been received and we regret that we are unable to provide notification if your application is unsuccessful**

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Able to undertake VDU work

Desirable

  • Previous experience in answering and dealing with telephone inquiries

Skills

Essential

  • Manual dexterity
  • Able to follow and learn instructions and standard operating procedures

Knowledge

Essential

  • Good Literacy and numeracy

Desirable

  • Previous laboratory based work experience

Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSE passes in English and maths

Desirable

  • GCSE standard attained in other science subjects or equivalent

Other

Desirable

  • Previous NHS experience
Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Able to undertake VDU work

Desirable

  • Previous experience in answering and dealing with telephone inquiries

Skills

Essential

  • Manual dexterity
  • Able to follow and learn instructions and standard operating procedures

Knowledge

Essential

  • Good Literacy and numeracy

Desirable

  • Previous laboratory based work experience

Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSE passes in English and maths

Desirable

  • GCSE standard attained in other science subjects or equivalent

Other

Desirable

  • Previous NHS 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.

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

Barts Health NHS Trust

Address

Newham Hospital

London

E13 8SL


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Barts Health NHS Trust

Address

Newham Hospital

London

E13 8SL


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Dept Lead

Gemma Fairweather

gemma.fairweather@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

03 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£29,176 to £30,225 a year per annum inc pro rata (pay award pending)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

259-6955336ESEL-C

Job locations

Newham Hospital

London

E13 8SL


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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