Job summary
Manchester Cytology Centre receives approximately 450,000 cervical cytology samples per year, providing the laboratory services for the NHS Cervical Screening Programme to all eligible patients across the North West region.
We currently have opportunities for some new Medical Laboratory assistants to join our busy specimen reception team, supporting the department with the sorting and receipt of around 1500 - 2000 samples per day, and even more during peak periods. You will work alongside other MLA team members and some clerical staff, supported by one or more of the Biomedical Scientists on duty.
**Please note that this is not a training post, and there is currently no scope for promotional opportunities. Candidates seeking trainee BMS positions or similar need not apply**
Main duties of the job
Main duties will include:
Following Health & Safety requirements
Sorting specimens upon receipt into the laboratory
Confirming the patient is eligible for the test using an online database
Checking the condition of the sample and form, ensuring they match
Labelling up and recording information on vial/form accurately
Data entry
Record keeping
Loading, cleaning and routine maintenance of automated equipment
General housekeeping duties
About us
Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and become part of a 30,000 plus strong team, delivering exceptional care to over 1 million people every year. As the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe, we are forward-thinking, committed to clinical excellence and driven to deliver innovation, and continuous improvement.
Whether you're beginning your career or taking the next step, MFT offers a stimulating and supportive environment where your contribution truly matters. Our Hive Electronic Patient Record system enables safer, smarter, and more efficient ways of working - empowering you to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients.
You'll be part of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary community, working alongside professionals from a wide range of clinical backgrounds. Together, we push boundaries, share knowledge, and deliver care that transforms lives.
At MFT, you'll find a workplace where everyone is respected, supported, and encouraged to thrive. We offer clear clinical pathways for professional development, helping you grow your skills and achieve your ambitions.
Your journey at MFT is more than a job - it's an opportunity to make a lasting impact. We'll support you as you shape the future of healthcare, one patient at a time.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To help you feel confident, prepared and fully informed before you apply, we invite you to explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place. This welcoming onestop hub gives you a real sense of who we are what we stand for, how we reward and support you, and the many ways we care for you as you care for others. Youll also find practical hints and tips for submitting a great application, along with the essential information you need to know before you apply.
To access Inside MFT Your Candidate Place, simply click on the relevant PDF document under the Supporting Documents section and once opened, you can where either scan QR code or click on the link provided.
Closing vacancy listings early
We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.To help us manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, our adverts may close early if we receive a high level of interest. Early applications are therefore encouraged.
Diversity Matters
MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application
Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, were proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOUfor our patients, our communities, and each other.As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your applicationespecially personal statements and responses to role-specific questionsis written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.
Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To help you feel confident, prepared and fully informed before you apply, we invite you to explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place. This welcoming onestop hub gives you a real sense of who we are what we stand for, how we reward and support you, and the many ways we care for you as you care for others. Youll also find practical hints and tips for submitting a great application, along with the essential information you need to know before you apply.
To access Inside MFT Your Candidate Place, simply click on the relevant PDF document under the Supporting Documents section and once opened, you can where either scan QR code or click on the link provided.
Closing vacancy listings early
We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.To help us manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, our adverts may close early if we receive a high level of interest. Early applications are therefore encouraged.
Diversity Matters
MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application
Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, were proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOUfor our patients, our communities, and each other.As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your applicationespecially personal statements and responses to role-specific questionsis written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.
Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.
Person Specification
Education & Qualifications
Essential
- GCSEs (or equivalent experience), with a Grade C or above in English and Maths
Desirable
- Vocational experience over higher education
Experience
Desirable
- Previous experience of working in a role with repetitive tasks
- Previous admin/office role
Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Attention to detail
- Basic IT skills
- Able to follow instructions / protocols accurately
- Good written skills, legible handwriting
- Able to work quickly and accurately
- Understanding of patient confidentiality and data protection
- Acknowledges the role is not a trainee post
Desirable
- Interest in healthcare science
- Aware of limit of practice and when to seek advice from senior colleagues
- Good typing skills
- Willingness to support and train more junior staff
- Organised and tidy
- Understanding of the NHS Cervical Screening Programme
Interpersonal skills
Essential
- Evidence of team working
- Takes responsibility for own actions
- Respect the diversity of our staff, patients and visitors and treat people equally and fairly
- Works well under pressure
Desirable
- Good time keeping skills
- Pride in your work no matter how small the task
- Comfortable in a role that is unlikely to change over time
- Excellent reliability
Other requirements
Essential
- Comfortable working within a laboratory environment and wearing appropriate PPE as required
- Flexibility to participate in a rota system, including occasional Saturday working
- Knowledge of Trust Values, willingness to abide by these
Desirable
- Keen to get involved with additional Trust or department initiatives and/or be a champion for staff group(s)
- Comfortable answering the phone and dealing with queries professionally
Person Specification
Education & Qualifications
Essential
- GCSEs (or equivalent experience), with a Grade C or above in English and Maths
Desirable
- Vocational experience over higher education
Experience
Desirable
- Previous experience of working in a role with repetitive tasks
- Previous admin/office role
Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Attention to detail
- Basic IT skills
- Able to follow instructions / protocols accurately
- Good written skills, legible handwriting
- Able to work quickly and accurately
- Understanding of patient confidentiality and data protection
- Acknowledges the role is not a trainee post
Desirable
- Interest in healthcare science
- Aware of limit of practice and when to seek advice from senior colleagues
- Good typing skills
- Willingness to support and train more junior staff
- Organised and tidy
- Understanding of the NHS Cervical Screening Programme
Interpersonal skills
Essential
- Evidence of team working
- Takes responsibility for own actions
- Respect the diversity of our staff, patients and visitors and treat people equally and fairly
- Works well under pressure
Desirable
- Good time keeping skills
- Pride in your work no matter how small the task
- Comfortable in a role that is unlikely to change over time
- Excellent reliability
Other requirements
Essential
- Comfortable working within a laboratory environment and wearing appropriate PPE as required
- Flexibility to participate in a rota system, including occasional Saturday working
- Knowledge of Trust Values, willingness to abide by these
Desirable
- Keen to get involved with additional Trust or department initiatives and/or be a champion for staff group(s)
- Comfortable answering the phone and dealing with queries professionally
Employer details
Employer name
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Cytology Department, 1st Floor Clinical Sciences Building 2, Manchester Foundation Trust
Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9WL
Employer's website
https://mft.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)
