York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Medical Laboratory Assistant

The closing date is 31 August 2025

Job summary

The Cellular Pathology Department is seeking applications for an enthusiastic and capable individual to join the team as a Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA).

Applications are invited from adaptable individuals who would enjoy working as part of a friendly team, providing the Histopathology service in this busy department.

Previous applicants need not apply.

Shortlisted candidates are encouraged to visit the department for an informal visit.

Main duties of the job

You will be involved in the day-to-day support work of the Histopathology laboratory, including data-entry, specimen reception, preparation of clinical specimens for biological testing, microtomy, maintenance of equipment and administrative duties relating to laboratory activities.

For this varied and interesting post, you will need to be numerate and will be able to work as part of a team, be able to demonstrate adaptability and initiative and have good communication and organisational skills.

Applicants are required to have good keyboard skills, and a working knowledge of pathology IT systems would be desirable, although full training will be provided. Ideally applicants should have histopathology laboratory experience.

The core working hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30am-17:00pm.

About us

To find out more about what it is like to work for our Trust please visit the following link:

https://yorkhospitals.pagetiger.com/hdjgxd

Our benefits

  • We offer a range of benefits to support our staff including:
  • Access to the NHS Pension Scheme, providing generous benefits upon retirement, as well as a lump sum and pension for dependants
  • 27 days holiday rising to 33 days (depending on NHS Trust service)
  • A generous relocation package of up to 30% of salary (capped at £18k) to support with relocation expenses for hard to fill positions where relocation would be an expectation to undertake the role fully. If you would like to discuss a potential relocation package, please speak to the recruiting department/manager at interview stage.
  • A variety of different types of paid and unpaid leave covering emergency and planned leave
  • Confidential advice and support on personal, work, family and relationship issues, 24/7, from our Employee Assistance Programme
  • NHS Car Lease scheme and Cycle to Work scheme
  • An extensive range of learning and development opportunities
  • Discounts on restaurants, getaways, shopping, motoring, cinema and finance from a range of providers

For further information on the fantastic range of benefits we offer please visit the Trust's dedicated Staff Benefits pages.

Details

Date posted

15 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

419-7405692-MLA-SH

Job locations

York Hospital

Cellular Pathology Department, Wigginton Road

York

YO31 8HE


Job description

Job responsibilities

A full description of the role is available in the attachment: job description.

Please note that if a high number of applications are received this advert may close early. You are advised to submit your application at the earliest opportunity.

Working for the Trust

Across our organisation, people are guided by values that were co-developed with staff: we are kind; we are open; and we pursue excellence.

Our values play into our ambition to develop a more diverse workforce, truly representative of our communities. We welcome applications from everyone, while working with our Staff Networks - including our Race Equality, LGBTQ+, Disability and Carers Networks - to increase the number of applications we receive from different backgrounds. If there is anything we can do to make our application process more accessible to you, please contact: yhs-tr.recruitment@nhs.net.

As part of seeking to become more inclusive, we will consider requests for flexible working from the start of your employment. It may not be suitable for every role, but we will try and be supportive where we can. We would encourage you to speak to the recruiting manager named within this advert to discuss any requirements you may have.

Armed Forces Friendly Employer

We are holders of the Gold Award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, which is helping actively promote SaBRE - Supporting Britains Reservists and Employers. This means that we have made a statement of intent to support all Defence personnel, including with applications for employment.

Job description

Job responsibilities

A full description of the role is available in the attachment: job description.

Please note that if a high number of applications are received this advert may close early. You are advised to submit your application at the earliest opportunity.

Working for the Trust

Across our organisation, people are guided by values that were co-developed with staff: we are kind; we are open; and we pursue excellence.

Our values play into our ambition to develop a more diverse workforce, truly representative of our communities. We welcome applications from everyone, while working with our Staff Networks - including our Race Equality, LGBTQ+, Disability and Carers Networks - to increase the number of applications we receive from different backgrounds. If there is anything we can do to make our application process more accessible to you, please contact: yhs-tr.recruitment@nhs.net.

As part of seeking to become more inclusive, we will consider requests for flexible working from the start of your employment. It may not be suitable for every role, but we will try and be supportive where we can. We would encourage you to speak to the recruiting manager named within this advert to discuss any requirements you may have.

Armed Forces Friendly Employer

We are holders of the Gold Award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, which is helping actively promote SaBRE - Supporting Britains Reservists and Employers. This means that we have made a statement of intent to support all Defence personnel, including with applications for employment.

Person Specification

Education, Qualifications and Training

Essential

  • Educated to GCSE Level or equivalent. 4 GCSE's including Maths and English at grade 4 (C) or above

Desirable

  • Formal or vocational lab-based qualification e.g. IBMS Certificate of Achievement Part 1 or NVQ level 3 or equivalent in a science-related subject

Experience and Knowledge

Essential

  • Experience of working in a Cellular Pathology or another pathology discipline, performing tests and maintaining equipment
  • Experience of using laboratory information systems
  • Experience of internal and external laboratory quality assurance methods

Skills & Attributes

Essential

  • Good written and verbal communication skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Ability to organise and prioritise own workload

Aptitude & Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Ability to work alone or as part of a team.
  • Methodical approach to work and an ability to remain calm under pressure

Values and Behaviours

Essential

  • Ability to demonstrate our organisational values and behaviours.
Person Specification

Education, Qualifications and Training

Essential

  • Educated to GCSE Level or equivalent. 4 GCSE's including Maths and English at grade 4 (C) or above

Desirable

  • Formal or vocational lab-based qualification e.g. IBMS Certificate of Achievement Part 1 or NVQ level 3 or equivalent in a science-related subject

Experience and Knowledge

Essential

  • Experience of working in a Cellular Pathology or another pathology discipline, performing tests and maintaining equipment
  • Experience of using laboratory information systems
  • Experience of internal and external laboratory quality assurance methods

Skills & Attributes

Essential

  • Good written and verbal communication skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Ability to organise and prioritise own workload

Aptitude & Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Ability to work alone or as part of a team.
  • Methodical approach to work and an ability to remain calm under pressure

Values and Behaviours

Essential

  • Ability to demonstrate our organisational values and behaviours.

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

York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

York Hospital

Cellular Pathology Department, Wigginton Road

York

YO31 8HE


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

York Hospital

Cellular Pathology Department, Wigginton Road

York

YO31 8HE


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Chief BMS

Miss Helen Armitage

harmitage1@nhs.net

01904725783

Details

Date posted

15 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

419-7405692-MLA-SH

Job locations

York Hospital

Cellular Pathology Department, Wigginton Road

York

YO31 8HE


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)