Senior Medical Laboratory Assistant

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 30 May 2025

Job summary

We are recruiting a senior medical laboratory assistant Band 3 with a strong patient focus and commitment to improving the quality of the dynamic and evolving team.

We are seeking to employ a self-motivated, dedicated and enthusiastic person to work full time in our histology and cytology department, with an immediate start date. The department handles up to 40,000 histology samples per year and 3000 non-gynae cytology samples.

We currently hold UKAS Accreditation, a HTA Licence and are an IBMS approved training laboratory.

Main duties of the job

General laboratory reception duties

Receive samples form a variety of transport mechanisms e.g. Air-Tube System.

Sort and identify and label specimens.

Registration of requests accurately and timely.

Liaising with GP and CAPO for confirmation of patient details

Handle telephone enquiries

To assist with clerical tasks as appropriate.

To monitor and issue stores of Pathology consumables for GP/ward use.

Ordering Taxis for urgent work

Use of request form scanner

Dispatch test results to those authorised to receive them

Clean and sterilise shelves, tables, sinks, and glassware in designated areas

Laboratory based technical duties

Use and operate simple laboratory equipment

Safely dispose of any contaminated material including sharps

Monitor and maintain stock levels

Preparation, processing and storage of samples/slides/tissues for internal and referral tests, as defined by laboratory protocols

Making up of solutions and reagents

Perform simple analysis, following strict instructions and under supervision

Entering test results into the laboratory or Hospital computer systems

Loading and unloading analysers

Analyser / equipment maintenance

Phoning of validated results in accordance with departmental protocol.

Staining procedures

Clean and sterilise laboratory equipment.

About us

If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks

We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents

Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success

For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.

From April 9th 2025 - Healthcare assistants - You must have a minimum of two years of experience working within the NHS as a HCA for the Trust to consider sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria and have a current visa expiring within 3 months)

Date posted

02 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,625 to £25,674 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

8 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C9439-2526-0099

Job locations

University Hospital Of North Durham

North Road

Durham

DH1 5TW

Job description

Job responsibilities

You will work alongside and assist Consultant pathologists and Biomedical Scientists in the dissection of patient tissue samples. You will play a vital role in the diagnosis of cancer and other diseases.

You will need to possess a wide range of skills, including laboratory technical skills. Plus an ability to organise and prioritise you own workload. Please refer to the person specification for full details of experience and qualifications required.

Previous laboratory experience in histology or non gynae cytology is desirable. You will also have good computer and keyboard skills, good numeracy and literacy, and a high standard of verbal & written English.

The post holder will be based at the University Hospital of North Durham but may be required to travel to other sites which include Darlington Memorial Hospital. Core hours of work are 7.5hrs per day with shifts hours of 07:30 to 15:30 or 08:30 to 16:30 weekdays. You may be required to participate in the delivery of the service outside core hours including weekend and bank holiday working. You would be expected to have a flexible approach to your hours to cover essential service provision.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Person Specification

Special Requirements

Desirable

An understanding of using IT systems to input and update data

Experience

Essential

Working within a medical laboratory or other healthcare environment
Prior experience using Laboratory Information Mangement Systems (LIMS)

Special Skills & Knowledge

Essential

An appreciation for the NHS values and good teamwork/interpersonal skills

Desirable

Knowledge of the histology and cytology processes

Qualifications

Essential

GCSE's in English, Maths, and Science (grade C or level 4 (equivalent), or above)

Person Specification

Special Requirements

Desirable

An understanding of using IT systems to input and update data

Experience

Essential

Working within a medical laboratory or other healthcare environment
Prior experience using Laboratory Information Mangement Systems (LIMS)

Special Skills & Knowledge

Essential

An appreciation for the NHS values and good teamwork/interpersonal skills

Desirable

Knowledge of the histology and cytology processes

Qualifications

Essential

GCSE's in English, Maths, and Science (grade C or level 4 (equivalent), or above)

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.