Medical Laboratory Assistant

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust; Bristol; Vor Ort; GBP 26.000 - 27.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust has a Band 3 Medical Laboratory Assistant opening based at Bristol Royal Infirmary. This full-time position offers 37.5 hours per week with shifts including nights and weekends, and a 12-month fixed-term contract (with a permanent post also available).

You will join a diagnostic Blood Sciences team working in Specimen Reception, Haematology and Clinical Biochemistry, supporting biomedical scientists and other staff, with training in LIMS and relevant software.

Qualifikationen

• At least five GCSEs grade C or above, including English, Maths and Science.
• Ability to learn and use PC laboratory software after training.
• Experience in a laboratory and in a customer service role.

Aufgaben

• Collecting, sorting, prioritising and processing of samples in a busy environment while maintaining good working relationships with colleagues and service users.
• Specimen reception – activation of requests and checking that request forms and specimens are labelled according to laboratory policy.
• Under supervision, analysis of samples received for testing. Storing of samples following completion of analysis into the appropriate storage system.
• Use of laboratory information management system (LIMS).
• Use of software packages including word processing, spreadsheets and databases to enter data on a daily basis.
• Use of the document management system.
• To observe all applicable safety regulations and attend any mandatory and statutory training as required.
• To undertake such training as necessary to enhance and to improve performance within the Department.
• To respond professionally to incoming telephone calls.
• To liaise regularly with section heads/seniors to ensure the smooth running of the sections.
• To attend formal staff meetings as and when appropriate.
• To be formally appraised on annual basis.
• Other duties as directed by the Department Manager or technical staff.

Kenntnisse

Communication skills

Customer service experience

Ability to work under pressure

Ausbildung

GCSEs including English, Maths and Science

Tools

Laboratory software packages

Jobbeschreibung

Main area Laboratory Medicine Grade Band 3 Contract Fixed term: 12 months (X1 permanent post also available) Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Various shifts including nights and weekends) Job ref 387-DT4728-MF

Employer Bristol NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Bristol Royal Infirmary Town Bristol Salary £25,760 - £27,476 pa Salary period Yearly Closing 15/11/2026 23:59

Medical Laboratory Assistant

Band 3

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1 st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This will create an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people. Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.

Job overview

The post holder will be part of a team providing a diagnostic Blood Sciences service to the Trust.

The team comprises Medical Laboratory Assistants (MLA), Associate Practitioners (APs), Biomedical Scientists (BMSs), Healthcare Scientists, Clinical Scientists, clerical staff and Medical staff. In addition, he/she will interact with other staff in the Directorate, especially portering staff. The post holder will be an important part of the Laboratory Medicine team, working within Specimen Reception, Haematology and Clinical Biochemistry. The post holder will take part in the shift rota which includes weekend and night shifts. The post holder will contribute to the diagnosis and treatment of patients within the hospital by providing technical and data entry assistance to the Biomedical Scientists and other Departmental staff. The post holder will perform a number of healthcare science technical activities including undertaking biomedical investigations on a range of body fluids under the supervision of a Health and Care Professions Council registered practitioner.

We have X 1 fixed term (12 month) position and X 1 substantive position available.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be an important part of the Laboratory Medicine team, working within Specimen Reception, Haematology and Clinical Biochemistry. The post holder will take part in the shift rota which includes weekend and night shifts.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Collecting, sorting, prioritising and processing of samples in a busy environment while maintaining good working relationships with colleagues and service users.
• Specimen reception – activation of requests and checking that request forms and specimens are labelled according to laboratory policy.
• Under supervision, analysis of samples received for testing. Storing of samples following completion of analysis into the appropriate storage system.
• Use of laboratory information management system (LIMS).
• Use of software packages including word processing, spreadsheets and databases to enter data on a daily basis.
• Use of the document management system.
• To observe all applicable safety regulations and attend any mandatory and statutory training as required.
• To undertake such training as necessary to enhance and to improve performance within the Department.
• To respond professionally to incoming telephone calls.
• To liaise regularly with section heads/seniors to ensure the smooth running of the sections.
• To attend formal staff meetings as and when appropriate.
• To be formally appraised on annual basis.
• Other duties as directed by the Department Manager or technical staff.

Working for our organisation

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post holder will be an important part of the Laboratory Medicine team, working within Specimen Reception, Haematology and Clinical Biochemistry. The post holder will take part in the shift rota which includes weekend and night shifts.

For a more detailed job description, main responsibilities, and Person Specification, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.

Person specification

To be evidenced at either APPLICATION (A), INTERVIEW (I)

• Education and qualifications: At least five GCSE’s grade C (level 4) or above to include English, Mathematics and Science
• Ability to learn and use PC laboratory software packages after training
• Ability to organise own work
• Ability to prioritise work as required
• Ability to work under pressure and to deadline
• Work experience in a laboratory
• Experience in a customer service role

We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.

• As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.
• The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.
• BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
• To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.
• If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.
• The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.
• By applying for this post, you are agreeing to Bristol NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.
• Please be aware of scams – unless specified above, we will only communicate with you via @recruit.trac.jobs or nhs.net e-mails and we will never ask you for any payments.

IMPORTANT:

Please note that if you apply for a position with this Trust, you may be contacted via Trac or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your Trac account and email accounts. We may also contact you by texting the mobile number, if provided, on the application form.

Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.

As a guide interviews should usually take place within 3 weeks of the closing date.

When providing employment reference details, please provide correct work-related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your referee must all be known to you in a line manager or professional lead capacity.