Band 3 Medical Laboratory Assistant - Blood Sciences Reception

Barking Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust; Ilford; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Barking Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust is recruiting a Band 3 Medical Laboratory Assistant for the Blood Sciences Reception on a 12-month fixed-term contract. You will receipty, sort, and process patient samples and support the pathology service across two sites, with training and development opportunities provided.

The role requires 24/7 shift coverage (evenings, nights, weekends, bank holidays) and cross-site rotations between KGH Goodmayes and Queen’s Hospital Romford.

Qualifications

• Experience receipting and sorting samples.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in data handling.
• Willingness to work in a demanding 24/7 shift pattern.

Responsibilities

• Receipt, sorting and processing of patient samples prior to laboratory analysis.
• Accurate data entry into the laboratory information system (Winpath).
• Ensure samples are distributed to the correct disciplines.

Skills

Strong work ethic

IT skills

Communication skills

Team player

Job description

Band 3 Medical Laboratory Assistant - Blood Sciences Reception

Company: Barking Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust

A Vacancy at Barking Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust.

We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic individual to join our busy Blood Sciences Specimen Reception team as a Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) on a fixed-term basis.

This vital role involves the accurate receipting, sorting, and processing of patient samples prior to laboratory analysis. The Specimen Reception team supports the entire Pathology service, ensuring samples are appropriately distributed to the correct disciplines and patient data is accurately entered into the laboratory information system (Winpath).

You will need to demonstrate:

• A strong work ethic and attention to detail
• Good IT and communication skills
• The ability to work effectively as part of a team in a fast-paced environment

In return, we offer a supportive and inclusive working environment, access to comprehensive training, and opportunities for career development within our Trust.

Working Pattern:

Participation in a 24/7 shift rota is required, including evenings, nights, weekends, and bank holidays.

Shifts vary in length (up to a maximum of 12 hours, including breaks).

Cross-site working is expected and there will be planned rotations between sites.

If you are unable to work night shifts, please consider applying for another suitable role within the Trust.

Please be aware that we may close this advert early should we receive a high volume of applications. Early applications are encouraged.

Although this position is a 12 months fixed-term contract, the actual contract duration will be adjusted to account for the time taken to advertise the post, complete the hiring process, and finalise pre-employment checks. This means the contract will begin when the candidate starts the role and may be slightly shorter than 12 months.

To work in a team of support staff playing a crucial role in the reception and preparation of patient samples and requests, to facilitate the provision of a quality and timely diagnostic and monitoring service essential for patient care. To supervise other staff in reception and provide training and support.

We’re an organisation that is getting better and better and our improvements are driven by a determination to deliver care we’re proud of and our patients are happy with.

They are benefitting from a new electronic patient record (we were the last acute trust in London to introduce one) and our maternity services have been rated good by the Care Quality Commission.

We operate from two main sites – KGH in Goodmayes and Queen’s Hospital in Romford. We have two busy emergency departments with more than 346,000 people visiting them last year. We’re campaigning to secure the £35m we need to transform the A&E at Queen’s and get rid of corridor care.

We’re proud of our regional Neurosciences Centre, Radiotherapy Centre and Hyper Acute Stroke Unit. We’re also part of the North East London Cancer Alliance.

We run a Women’s Health Hub in Ilford; an Ageing Well Centre in Hornchurch; and Community Diagnostic Centres (CDC) at Barking Community Hospital and at St George’s Health and Wellbeing Hub. These CDCs are open 12 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The majority of our 8,400 staff – who come from 146 different countries - live in the three diverse London boroughs we serve and are from black, Asian and minority ethnic groups. Many can work flexibly and more than 400 of them are on our Ofsted accredited apprenticeship programmes. We’re proud to be a London Living Wage employer.

Salary: £30,630 - £32,346 Per Annum Inclusive Hours: Full-time Location: Ilford, IG3 8YB Job type: Contract Posting date: 29 Oct 2026 Closing date: 28 Nov 2026

All new staff appointed at the Trust are subject to a probationary period.

Applications should be made online, however, queries regarding the application process, assistance with completion of the application form or if you require any adjustments (for applicants with a disability) please contact Pubudu Chandrasekera, Recruitment Advisor, on 01708 435000 ext. 5110. Further details regarding the post may be obtained by contacting the manager as per the contact details above.

This advert closes on Sunday 8 Nov 2026

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