Barts Health NHS Trust

Medical Laboratory Assistant

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

*Previous applicants of 259-7389924ESEL need not apply We are looking for a band 2 Medical Laboratory Assistant for this very busy hospital department. The duties will be varied, but we need a person who can work accurately when under pressure to meet deadlines.

We have a team of MLA's who undertake tasks on a rotational basis. This post would suit an individual with a minimum of maths, science and English GCSE's at A-C level. They should have common sense, an ability to follow written protocol and an interest in science.

The post will require an ability to work with human tissues of all kinds and the successful applicant must have a keen eye for detail and accuracy.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will rotate betwee reception where they will receive sort and number incoming samples and request forms before entering onto the Laboratory Information Management System and assist Biomedical Scientists and resident doctors at the dissection benches.

Other duties will include making up solutions, maintain stock around the department, clean and maintain laboratory equipment and collect samples from theatres and wards at The Royal London. Filing of material and the completion of paperwork on a daily basis is an intergral part of the post.

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 Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust. The Pathology Partnership is hosted by Barts Health.

The Pathology Partnership was formed in May 2021. Between 2021 and 2024 the Partnership undertook a complex transformation programme to establish a single network of laboratories, underpinned by a single Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and single Quality Management System (QMS).

The Partnership has a main hub laboratory at the Royal London Hospital and Essential Service Laboratories (ESL) as a minimum at the six other hospital sites served by the Partnership.

The Partnership has three operational divisions:o Blood Sciences including Haematology, Blood Transfusion and Biochemistryo Microbiology and Virologyo Cellular Pathology and Cancer Diagnostics

The 2024/25 total operating costs across the Partnership were c. £121m per annum with a workforce establishment of circa. 860 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

18 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£30,074 a year per annum inc

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

259-7389924ESEL-B

Job locations

Royal London Hospital

London

E1 2ES


Job description

Job responsibilities

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are underrepresented within the Pathology Partnership and Barts Health at this band

We are dedicated to being an outstanding place to work and will work with you to get the best experience. We know flexible working is not a one size fits all and will mean something different to everyone. We are inclusive, so if you are interested in flexible working, please speak to the recruiting manager.

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.

**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**

*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

Job description

Job responsibilities

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are underrepresented within the Pathology Partnership and Barts Health at this band

We are dedicated to being an outstanding place to work and will work with you to get the best experience. We know flexible working is not a one size fits all and will mean something different to everyone. We are inclusive, so if you are interested in flexible working, please speak to the recruiting manager.

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.

**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**

*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

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSE passes in English and Maths or equivalent

Desirable

  • GCSE standard attained in other science subjects or equivalent

Experience

Essential

  • Able to undertake VDU work As a scientific background

Desirable

  • Previous computing experience or VDU work
  • Previous experience in answering and dealing with telephone enquiries

Knowledge

Essential

  • Understanding the work of Pathology

Desirable

  • Previous laboratory based work experience

Skills

Essential

  • Able to follow and learn instructions and standard operating procedures
  • Methodical and organised Manual dexterity
  • Ability to work on own initiative
  • Polite, helpful and confident manner

Desirable

  • Good keyboard skills

Personal and people development

Essential

  • Can demonstrate training and courses attended outside of education

Desirable

  • Previous NHS experience

Communications

Essential

  • Good literacy and numeracy
  • Good communications skills

Desirable

  • Previous experience in answering and dealing with telephone enquiries

Specific requirements

Essential

  • Able to undertake 'housekeeping duties'
  • Able to perform required duties with any appropriate aids or adaptations
  • Hold no reservations in handling human body fluids, tissue, organs, or infected material in accordance with Health & Safety policies.
  • The post holder must be willing to have appropriate vaccinations
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSE passes in English and Maths or equivalent

Desirable

  • GCSE standard attained in other science subjects or equivalent

Experience

Essential

  • Able to undertake VDU work As a scientific background

Desirable

  • Previous computing experience or VDU work
  • Previous experience in answering and dealing with telephone enquiries

Knowledge

Essential

  • Understanding the work of Pathology

Desirable

  • Previous laboratory based work experience

Skills

Essential

  • Able to follow and learn instructions and standard operating procedures
  • Methodical and organised Manual dexterity
  • Ability to work on own initiative
  • Polite, helpful and confident manner

Desirable

  • Good keyboard skills

Personal and people development

Essential

  • Can demonstrate training and courses attended outside of education

Desirable

  • Previous NHS experience

Communications

Essential

  • Good literacy and numeracy
  • Good communications skills

Desirable

  • Previous experience in answering and dealing with telephone enquiries

Specific requirements

Essential

  • Able to undertake 'housekeeping duties'
  • Able to perform required duties with any appropriate aids or adaptations
  • Hold no reservations in handling human body fluids, tissue, organs, or infected material in accordance with Health & Safety policies.
  • The post holder must be willing to have appropriate vaccinations

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

Royal London Hospital

London

E1 2ES


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Barts Health NHS Trust

Address

Royal London Hospital

London

E1 2ES


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Chief BMS

Dean McDonald

dean.mcdonald2@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

18 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£30,074 a year per annum inc

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

259-7389924ESEL-B

Job locations

Royal London Hospital

London

E1 2ES


Supporting documents

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