Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Medical Laboratory Assistant - Entry Level

The closing date is 01 July 2025

Job summary

Applications are invited from enthusiastic, confident, motivated and hardworking individuals to work as Medical Laboratory Assistants (MLA's) within the combined Blood Science Specimen Reception areas in Pathology.

MLAs are the first point of contact for the Laboratory therefore a friendly, approachable personality and excellent communication skills are essential.

You should have good attention to detail, manual dexterity and the ability to follow defined protocols whilst working quickly but effective under pressure.

Please note the post is for 15 month Fixed Term only.

Please note we reserve the right to close this vacancy prior to the closing date once the required number of suitable applications have been received

Please note, for Secondment roles before an application is submitted, please ensure you have received the appropriate approval and completed documentation required beforehand, as this may delay the process if an offer was to be made.

Main duties of the job

The role involves supporting scientific staff in the receipt, analytical preparation, labelling and data entry of patient samples & requests, maintenance and quality control of Point of Care Testing equipment and general laboratory support duties. The role requires a calm, organised approach with attention to detail and good keyboard skills.

Previous experience in an NHS clinical laboratory would be an advantage but not essential as full training will be provided.

The Blood Science department operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and the successful candidate will be expected to support and participate in late shift rosters .

The main Pathology services are located at North Tyneside Hospital, Wansbeck Hospital and the Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital, the first of its kind in England. There is also a smaller Specimen reception and Point of care testing based at Hexham Hospital. You may be expected to work at any of the sites as required for service provision therefore a full driving license and access to a vehicle is essential

About us

We manage three major locality hospitals at North Tyneside, Wansbeck and Hexham, plus a number of smaller community hospitals and clinics from Tynemouth to Berwick on Tweed, in addition to our state-of-the-art Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital, the first of its kind in England. We also care for people in their homes and provide services from facilities in local communities such as health centres. We give people greater choice and control over their care to help them to live independently at home and avoid hospital admission where appropriate. High quality patient care is at the heart of everything we do and we strive to ensure every single patient and service user has an exceptional experience with us. We have one of the most extensive patient experience programmes of any trust in England.

Date posted

17 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,169 a year pro rata per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

15 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

319-7226346GH-HAS

Job locations

North Tyneside General Hospital

Rake Lane

North Tyneside

NE29 8NH

Job description

Job responsibilities

The main duties of the role are to:

Perform basic sample reception and process duties including the receipt, barcode labelling and preparation of samples for analysis, loading of samples onto analysers or other laboratory equipment and sample archiving.
Perform clerical tasks including data input of patient demographics and test request information and maintains clerical records.
Perform general housekeeping duties including maintaining stock levels, general cleaning and waste disposal.
Maintain and promote professional image.
The work of the service brings staff into constant contact with human body fluids, tissues and hazardous chemicals. This may be blood, urine, fluid and faeces.
The post holder may be required to work at NTGH/NSECH/WGH/HGH.
To work flexibly in reflection of service needs this may include an extended working day and/or participation in delivery of a 24 hours, 7 days per week service.
The post holder will be responsible to the Biomedical Scientists in Blood Sciences.
The work involves handling biological samples and paperwork associated with this process therefore the departmental health and safety policies must be adhered to at all times.

NB: Post holder must not work outside their defined field of competence.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The main duties of the role are to:

Perform basic sample reception and process duties including the receipt, barcode labelling and preparation of samples for analysis, loading of samples onto analysers or other laboratory equipment and sample archiving.
Perform clerical tasks including data input of patient demographics and test request information and maintains clerical records.
Perform general housekeeping duties including maintaining stock levels, general cleaning and waste disposal.
Maintain and promote professional image.
The work of the service brings staff into constant contact with human body fluids, tissues and hazardous chemicals. This may be blood, urine, fluid and faeces.
The post holder may be required to work at NTGH/NSECH/WGH/HGH.
To work flexibly in reflection of service needs this may include an extended working day and/or participation in delivery of a 24 hours, 7 days per week service.
The post holder will be responsible to the Biomedical Scientists in Blood Sciences.
The work involves handling biological samples and paperwork associated with this process therefore the departmental health and safety policies must be adhered to at all times.

NB: Post holder must not work outside their defined field of competence.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

GCSE Maths and English or equivalent qualifications and/or experience that demonstrate appropriate level of literacy and numeracy
Training on a range of routine procedures within specimen reception and the laboratory will be given 'in house' and takes approximately 6 months, during which competency is assessed.

Desirable

Computer / keyboard / word processing qualifications. e.g. ECDL
GCSE in Science (A-C) or equivalent
NVQ Level II in Medical Laboratory Sciences or equivalent

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

GCSE Maths and English or equivalent qualifications and/or experience that demonstrate appropriate level of literacy and numeracy
Training on a range of routine procedures within specimen reception and the laboratory will be given 'in house' and takes approximately 6 months, during which competency is assessed.

Desirable

Computer / keyboard / word processing qualifications. e.g. ECDL
GCSE in Science (A-C) or equivalent
NVQ Level II in Medical Laboratory Sciences or equivalent

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

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address

North Tyneside General Hospital

Rake Lane

North Tyneside

NE29 8NH

Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address

North Tyneside General Hospital

Rake Lane

North Tyneside

NE29 8NH

Employer's website

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