Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Medical Laboratory Assistant B2

The closing date is 21 August 2025

Job summary

We are looking for applicants who are dynamic, motivated, reliable and enthusiastic to join the Blood Sciences Team at the Royal Surrey Foundation Trust in Guildford as a Medical Laboratory Assistant.

As an MLA you will be the first point of contact therefore good communication skills, a friendly and approachable personality and the ability to demonstrate excellent customer relations are essential. You should have good attention to detail, manual dexterity, excellent IT skills, the ability to work well under pressure and a good secondary education in English, Math's and Science.

The laboratory is currently moving towards full multidisciplinary working and as such you would be trained in all areas of the laboratory and be expected to cover unsocial hours as a multi-disciplined member of the team. As a new member of staff, you will be provided with suitable training with rotation in all sections of the laboratory, namely Haematology, Coagulation, Blood Transfusion and Biochemistry. The laboratory has undergone an exciting overhaul of its equipment which has seen it fully equipped with; Abbott Alinity H & CI analysers, ACL TOP 550 analysers, Immucor NEO Iris Blood Group Analysers and more. Experience with some of these machines is not essential but desirable. Our laboratory is fully accredited with ISO 15189:2012, MHRA, IIP and holds HCPC training status. This role is not a training role, therefore no previous lab experience is necessary and full training will be provided.

Main duties of the job

To participate in the shift rota to ensure a safe and high-quality provision of the Blood Sciences service at RSH and throughout the Pathology Network.

About us

Royal Surrey is a compassionate and collaborative acute and community Trust. Recognising that our 5000 colleagues are our greatest strength, we offer a comprehensive health and wellbeing program along with a commitment to developing and advancing your career. Our diverse and welcoming Royal Surrey family will ensure you that you feel valued from your initial interview through your entire tenure.

We are clinically led and provide joined up care by bridging the gap between hospital and community services alongside regional specialist cancer care. Our main acute hospital site is in Guildford with community hospital sites at Milford, Haslemere and Cranleigh. We provide adult community health services in homes across Guildford and Waverley.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) have given us an overall rating of Outstanding.

Royal Surrey has a strong reputation and history to build on. We are proud of our achievements and we are investing in our colleagues through our commitment to supporting professional development as well as investing more than £45 million in our physical environment and new equipment in the next few years. There has never been a better time to join us.

Although it isn't the Trusts normal practice, adverts may close early, so you are encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible.

A video about the Royal Surrey - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R96pMboIYdo

Details

Date posted

08 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£25,768 a year Per annum (pro rata) including High Cost Area Supplement

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

384-AR-EMF18972

Job locations

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Egerton Road

Guildford

GU2 7XX


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification

Receipt, checking and sorting of specimens, labelling and preparation for analysis. Entering patient and test information onto the laboratory computer system and handling telephone enquiries.

Assisting with the receipt, unpacking, sorting and distribution of pathology consumbales as well as general office duties such as photocopying and filing.

To aid in the performance of initial screening and further investigation of diagnostic tests producing complex quality diagnostic results in order to aid patient treatment and care.

To acquire and maintain multidisciplinary skills to enable the performing of Biochemistry and Haematology tests and delivering Blood Transfusion services in a multidisciplinary environment.

You must be keen to embrace new ways of working and develop your knowledge and skills and help develop others. In addition to these requirements, you will be expected to participate in the shift rota, covering shifts spanning the 24/7 working week, once competency has been achieved. You may also expect to work at other Berkshire and Surrey Pathology Service sites as required to maintain quality, training and service requirements.

Guildford is a popular Surrey town close to the North Downs countryside that benefits from excellent schools and a wide variety of shopping, sporting and entertainment opportunities. It is well served by road and rail links and there is a regular bus service from the town to the hospital.

For an informal discussion please contact Jamie Clack (Site Lead BMS) on 01483 571 122 Ext 4473 or by email Jamie.clack@nhs.net

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification

Receipt, checking and sorting of specimens, labelling and preparation for analysis. Entering patient and test information onto the laboratory computer system and handling telephone enquiries.

Assisting with the receipt, unpacking, sorting and distribution of pathology consumbales as well as general office duties such as photocopying and filing.

To aid in the performance of initial screening and further investigation of diagnostic tests producing complex quality diagnostic results in order to aid patient treatment and care.

To acquire and maintain multidisciplinary skills to enable the performing of Biochemistry and Haematology tests and delivering Blood Transfusion services in a multidisciplinary environment.

You must be keen to embrace new ways of working and develop your knowledge and skills and help develop others. In addition to these requirements, you will be expected to participate in the shift rota, covering shifts spanning the 24/7 working week, once competency has been achieved. You may also expect to work at other Berkshire and Surrey Pathology Service sites as required to maintain quality, training and service requirements.

Guildford is a popular Surrey town close to the North Downs countryside that benefits from excellent schools and a wide variety of shopping, sporting and entertainment opportunities. It is well served by road and rail links and there is a regular bus service from the town to the hospital.

For an informal discussion please contact Jamie Clack (Site Lead BMS) on 01483 571 122 Ext 4473 or by email Jamie.clack@nhs.net

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSE's (or equivalent) in English and Maths at Grade C / Level 5 or above

Desirable

  • GCSE's (or equivalent) in Biology or Chemistry at Grade C / Level 5 or above

Knowledge

Essential

  • Understanding of Health and Safety issues including COSHH
  • Basic knowledge of Biology and Chemistry
  • Knowledge of medical terminology
  • Experience of working effectively in a team

Desirable

  • Training in use of laboratory IT systems
  • Experience of providing excellent customer service
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSE's (or equivalent) in English and Maths at Grade C / Level 5 or above

Desirable

  • GCSE's (or equivalent) in Biology or Chemistry at Grade C / Level 5 or above

Knowledge

Essential

  • Understanding of Health and Safety issues including COSHH
  • Basic knowledge of Biology and Chemistry
  • Knowledge of medical terminology
  • Experience of working effectively in a team

Desirable

  • Training in use of laboratory IT systems
  • Experience of providing excellent customer service

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

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Egerton Road

Guildford

GU2 7XX


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Egerton Road

Guildford

GU2 7XX


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Site Lead BMS

Jamie Clack

Jamie.clack@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

08 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£25,768 a year Per annum (pro rata) including High Cost Area Supplement

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

384-AR-EMF18972

Job locations

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Egerton Road

Guildford

GU2 7XX


Supporting documents

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