NHS Professionals Limited

Medical Laboratory Assistant

The closing date is 11 May 2026

Job summary

We have an exciting opportunity for a Medical Laboratory Assistant in Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust to join the Pathology department at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. You will be responsible for supporting the central sample reception team, managing the receipt and preparation of laboratory samples under supervision, performing simple analysis of samples, and operating or loading expensive and complex laboratory equipment under supervision in one of three sections: Biochemistry, Haematology, or Immunology. You will also support the accurate entry of patient data and results into the laboratory computer system, as well as the storage and dispatch of patient reports.

Main duties of the job

As a Medical Laboratory Assistant, you will be responsible for following Standard Operating Procedures and contributing to their regular review and updates. You will manage the preparation, storage, and appropriate use of reagents and consumables for patient investigations, ensuring compliance with COSHH regulations. You will be supporting quality assurance by reporting any loss of performance in quality control procedures and escalating situations that could potentially cause service failures. You will also be responsible for handling toxic, carcinogenic, harmful, and flammable substances safely, adhering to all relevant safety protocols.

About us

Here at NHS Professionals, we run England's largest NHS staff bank and are experts at putting people in places to care. Every year we help thousands of dedicated and highly skilled NHS workers enjoy better career opportunities, more flexible shifts, and a healthier work-life balance across our partnered Trusts.

Career Progression access to Learning & Development opportunities, so that you can take on new roles and challenges

Work-life Balance flexible shifts, committed shifts, wellbeing resources and build paid annual leave

Opportunity & Access over 50 partner NHS Trusts to give you the flexibility of choice to work how and where you want

Details

Date posted

23 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£14.24 an hour Rates are inclusive of Base Rate + Holiday Pay

Contract

Bank

Duration

12 weeks

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

M0042-88313

Job locations

Stoke Mandeville Hospital Nhs Trust

Mandeville Road

Aylesbury

Buckinghamshire

HP21 8AL


Job description

Job responsibilities

  • To receive, verify, and barcode incoming patient samples, ensuring the correct sample type and patient identifiers match the laboratory request.
  • To safely prepare samples for processing or transport, including loading/unloading centrifuges and packaging for courier delivery to other laboratories.
  • To maintain laboratory work areas, equipment, and consumables, ensuring benches, centrifuges, and glassware are clean, organized, and ready for use.
  • To accurately code requested tests on the laboratory information system (LIS) and flag urgent or high-priority samples for immediate attention.
  • To assist with stock management, including monitoring reagent and consumable levels, safe storage, and timely disposal of expired materials.
  • To support the training and guidance of new or junior staff, demonstrating laboratory techniques and safe working practices under supervision.

Job description

Job responsibilities

  • To receive, verify, and barcode incoming patient samples, ensuring the correct sample type and patient identifiers match the laboratory request.
  • To safely prepare samples for processing or transport, including loading/unloading centrifuges and packaging for courier delivery to other laboratories.
  • To maintain laboratory work areas, equipment, and consumables, ensuring benches, centrifuges, and glassware are clean, organized, and ready for use.
  • To accurately code requested tests on the laboratory information system (LIS) and flag urgent or high-priority samples for immediate attention.
  • To assist with stock management, including monitoring reagent and consumable levels, safe storage, and timely disposal of expired materials.
  • To support the training and guidance of new or junior staff, demonstrating laboratory techniques and safe working practices under supervision.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSE-level education in basic sciences.
  • Experience handling laboratory samples.
  • NVQ Level 3 in a relevant laboratory discipline or equivalent (desirable).
  • Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD).
  • Practical laboratory experience within a clinical or diagnostic setting.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSE-level education in basic sciences.
  • Experience handling laboratory samples.
  • NVQ Level 3 in a relevant laboratory discipline or equivalent (desirable).
  • Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD).
  • Practical laboratory experience within a clinical or diagnostic setting.

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

NHS Professionals Limited

Address

Stoke Mandeville Hospital Nhs Trust

Mandeville Road

Aylesbury

Buckinghamshire

HP21 8AL


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

NHS Professionals Limited

Address

Stoke Mandeville Hospital Nhs Trust

Mandeville Road

Aylesbury

Buckinghamshire

HP21 8AL


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Details

Date posted

23 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£14.24 an hour Rates are inclusive of Base Rate + Holiday Pay

Contract

Bank

Duration

12 weeks

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

M0042-88313

Job locations

Stoke Mandeville Hospital Nhs Trust

Mandeville Road

Aylesbury

Buckinghamshire

HP21 8AL


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