The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

MLA Team Leader

The closing date is 14 November 2025

Job summary

We're seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Blood Science MLA Supervisor to join our dedicated team in Sutton. This is a Band 4, 6-month fixed-term position, ideal for someone with experience working in a laboratory specimen reception or similar environment who is ready to take the next step in their career. While primarily based in Sutton, occasional cross-site working may be required.

The Blood Sciences Department at The Royal Marsden receives over 250,000 samples each year. We are a multicultural and dynamic team working in specimen reception. Our members are friendly, motivated, and passionate about supporting both patients and staff. The laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, and we collaborate with suppliers such as Sysmex, Quidel-Ortho, Thermo Fisher, and Bio-Rad, among other analytical platforms. While previous experience is advantageous, full training will be provided.

The department provides an exceptional environment for growth, with opportunities to rotate across the different Blood Science disciplines to ensure continuous development, knowledge sharing, and professional progression.

Why Join Us?o Innovate and Lead: Work with cutting-edge technology in a UKAS-accredited laboratory operating under ISO 15189:2022.o Expand Your Expertise: Contribute to a high-performing team supporting quality, training, and continuous service improvement.o Be Part of Progress: Support the Blood Sciences Laboratory team as we implement new technology, IT systems and analytical upgrades.

Main duties of the job

The Clinical Pathology Department provides diagnostic services for the Trust, focusing on Blood Sciences. The post-holder will perform administrative, technical, and quality assurance duties, primarily supporting the Biomedical Scientists and Section Leads.The post-holder will perform a range of tasks to support the Biomedical Scientists in the provision of a high-quality service to our patients. The post holder will organise and receive samples ensuring they are processed in a timely manner, including samples analysed on site and referred to other laboratories.

About us

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 4,500 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals - one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey - as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital.

At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That's why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.

At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits, learning and development opportunities and clear career pathways. There are opportunities to work flexibly across a range of areas and specialities and we welcome flexible working requests from point of hire to support employees work life balance. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our on-going achievements.

Details

Date posted

31 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£32,199 to £34,876 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

6 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

282-SA986

Job locations

The Royal Marsden Sutton

Downs Road

Sutton

SM2 5PT


Job description

Job responsibilities

For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification.

Supervisory Duties Supervise MLA staff, including:o Supervise, carry out and assign MLA team activities and duties in all specimen reception areas to ensure workflow turnaround time (TAT) targets are achieved.o Conducting performance reviews and appraisals in line with Trust policyo Allocating work and assisting with recruitment, selection, and trainingo Providing training and competency assessments for new MLA and Biomedical Scientist staff in Pathology Receptiono Provide instructions to the rest of the MLA team which includes Front Office area regarding daily dutieso Document staff weekly rotas to ensure service delivery is maintained at all timeso To manage staff rotas on Health Roster and ensure they are accurate and up to date.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification.

Supervisory Duties Supervise MLA staff, including:o Supervise, carry out and assign MLA team activities and duties in all specimen reception areas to ensure workflow turnaround time (TAT) targets are achieved.o Conducting performance reviews and appraisals in line with Trust policyo Allocating work and assisting with recruitment, selection, and trainingo Providing training and competency assessments for new MLA and Biomedical Scientist staff in Pathology Receptiono Provide instructions to the rest of the MLA team which includes Front Office area regarding daily dutieso Document staff weekly rotas to ensure service delivery is maintained at all timeso To manage staff rotas on Health Roster and ensure they are accurate and up to date.

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications

Essential

  • Good general education. GCSE grade C or higher in English and Maths. A levels or equivalent relevant experience.

Desirable

  • ECDL or equivalent
  • BSc (Hons) or equivalent qualification

Experience

Essential

  • Previous experience in a laboratory role
  • Experience of MS Excel and MS Word, including creating and using spreadsheets

Desirable

  • Experience of working in a Blood Transfusion department or NHS organisation
  • Understanding of Good Manufacturing Principles in hospital blood banks.
  • Knowledge of Quality Management Systems
  • Experience of using a blood tracking application
  • Able to perform basic training

Skills Abilities/knowledge

Essential

  • Ability to write clearly and concisely
  • Able to work to deadlines
  • Ability to express themselves clearly and communicate information
  • Attention to detail

Desirable

  • Demonstrates proactive approach to problem solving
Person Specification

Education/Qualifications

Essential

  • Good general education. GCSE grade C or higher in English and Maths. A levels or equivalent relevant experience.

Desirable

  • ECDL or equivalent
  • BSc (Hons) or equivalent qualification

Experience

Essential

  • Previous experience in a laboratory role
  • Experience of MS Excel and MS Word, including creating and using spreadsheets

Desirable

  • Experience of working in a Blood Transfusion department or NHS organisation
  • Understanding of Good Manufacturing Principles in hospital blood banks.
  • Knowledge of Quality Management Systems
  • Experience of using a blood tracking application
  • Able to perform basic training

Skills Abilities/knowledge

Essential

  • Ability to write clearly and concisely
  • Able to work to deadlines
  • Ability to express themselves clearly and communicate information
  • Attention to detail

Desirable

  • Demonstrates proactive approach to problem solving

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.

Employer details

Employer name

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Royal Marsden Sutton

Downs Road

Sutton

SM2 5PT


Employer's website

https://www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/working-royal-marsden (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Royal Marsden Sutton

Downs Road

Sutton

SM2 5PT


Employer's website

https://www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/working-royal-marsden (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Blood Science Manager

Iris Valera Larios

iris.valeralarios@rmh.nhs.uk

Details

Date posted

31 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£32,199 to £34,876 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

6 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

282-SA986

Job locations

The Royal Marsden Sutton

Downs Road

Sutton

SM2 5PT


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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