Medical Laboratory Assistant

Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider is seeking candidates for a technical and administrative role within their Pathology Services Department. Responsibilities include the collection and processing of samples, liaising with clinical teams, and ensuring adherence to standard operating procedures. Candidates must have relevant qualifications, strong communication skills, and attention to detail. The position offers comprehensive training and supports a flexible working environment, reflecting a commitment to employee wellbeing.

Benefits

Salary including High-Cost Area Supplement

Opportunity to join the NHS Pension Scheme

Free 24/7 independent counselling service

Learning and development opportunities

Easy and quick transport links

Access to Blue Light Card and other NHS Discount Schemes

Flexible working friendly organisation

Qualifications

• Experience in handling clinical samples and specimens.
• Strong familiarity with laboratory procedures and best practices.
• Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills.

Responsibilities

• Collect, log, and send samples to pathology service.
• Perform administrative tasks related to sample processing.
• Liaise with departments regarding results and queries.

Skills

Ability to handle samples

Attention to detail

Strong communication skills

Teamwork

Problem-solving

Education

Relevant scientific qualification

Tools

Laboratory Information Management System

OpenEyes

Job description

A successful post created in advance of our move to Oriel, a new centre for Eye Health, due to open in 2027. On rotation to work across all areas of the Tissue Centre, to assist with the daily running of the Pathology Service, the Moorfields Lions Eye Bank and Department of Eye Pathology. This post spans a majority technical, clinical and some administrative roles within these services.

In preparation for that move we are starting to bring the workforce together with roles such as this which have elements which cover all areas on a rotational basis, subject to planned need. Full comprehensive training shall be provided. The department seeks dynamic individuals with a "can-do" attitude, positive outlook, require minimal supervision and possess the appetite to seek continuous improvement with excellent outcomes.

The role covers the Pathology Services Department within the main Moorfields Hospital. The main duties here are to receive and dispatch samples from across the Trust to the relevant pathology provider(s). It is a technical, clinical and administrative role, handling the samples and fielding calls and queries from clinical teams relating to the results.

Pathology Service Responsibilities

• To collect, log and send samples to the relevant pathology assessment service in accordance with the Pathology standard operating procedures (SOPs) and national guidelines for the dispatching of pathology samples.
• To receive samples from network sites and clinics, log and send them to the relevant provider, returning the labelled Bio-Bottle containers to the originator as required.
• To safely handle, log and send pathology samples (blood and other body fluid samples, tissue samples and so forth) to the relevant pathology provider.
• To carefully check the request form and patient samples in accordance with the Request Form and specimen Labelling Policy.
• To prioritise the workload so that urgent samples are dealt with in a timely manner and to record all urgent requests as required, to follow these up and promptly give results to the requesting clinician.
• To field and elevate issues raised either via phone, the shared mailbox or physically so that the issue can be resolved to all party's satisfaction.
• To provide support to colleagues within the department, as needed.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we reserve the right to close any adverts before the published closing date once we have received a sufficient number of applications.

Moorfields Lions Eye Bank

• To scrutinise, with colleagues, and action the daily transplant lists, to ensure the correct tissue is in the correct place in advance of surgery.
• To source and order tissues as required from multiple tissue providers (NHSBT, MiS, RMLEB, NuVision and Wescott Medical) to maintain relevant stocks locally.
• To undertake appropriate checks on receipt of tissues and ensure the appropriateness of both the tissue and storage conditions.
• To ensure, with colleagues, that Tissue usage paperwork is completed for each issued tissue and to chase when there are identified gaps.
• To review and generate reports as needed for providers, including the Human Tissue Authority (HTA), Infection Control (IPC) and Graft Outcome Clinics (GOC).
• To provide support to colleagues within the department, as needed.

Department of Eye Pathology

• To receive samples and biopsies from national senders and handle them in accordance with local guidelines.
• To carefully check the request form and patient samples whilst booking the samples into the department's computer system/database.
• To support the Biomedical Scientists by undertaking duties which they request, such as changing the processing machines, refreshing reagents across various analysers, running IQC and retrieving solvents from the bulk store as needed.
• To be aware of, and up to date with competencies and SOPs such as reflect the work of the department.
• To undertake filing and other such duties to support colleagues within the department.
• To undertake administrative and secretarial duties. These include receiving and sending email and mail, filtering incoming calls, drafting correspondence, ordering and maintaining a supply of office consumables, audio typing, sending packages, filing and file system management including the scanning of documents and maintaining a contacts database.
• Entering details of pathology specimens received into the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
• Transcribing (typing) histopathology reports into the LIMS and distributing authorised reports to service users.
• Generating reports from the LIMS on matters of clinical relevance (e.g. different sources of specimens, turnaround times, lists of cases with a specific diagnosis). This duty includes submitting regular monthly NHS returns and identifying cases for the Cancer Registry.
• Telephone liaison for hospitals and others (e.g. police) queries regarding pathology results and possession of tissue.
• Liaising with external parties regarding cases/charges for private and extracontractual work.
• Assisting departmental staff in the prioritisation of cases to be reported. This includes identifying outstanding (non-reported) cases.
• Liaising with external Trusts and laboratories over dispatch and receipt of cases for diagnosis in the UK and abroad.
• Assisting administratively in meetings of the Department of Eye Pathology, including taking minutes when required.
• Organising internal diagnostic audit and facilitating audits for the wider Trust.
• Acting as a central point of contact for the Department.
• Circulating all-staff emails on behalf of the Department.

Other Administrative

• To use all relevant systems, including OpenEyes, PAS, EyePath, and Eye Bank plus Pathology databases to ensure Data Quality - amending where necessary.
• To upload abnormal results to OpenEyes, messaging the requesting clinician so that they are aware.
• To be aware of handling all complex and sensitive information appropriately in accordance with all relevant SOPs and to ensure all abnormal blood results are actioned as necessary.
• To comply with the SOPs including for safe and secure confidential processing, storage and disposal of patient and other laboratory information in accordance with good work practices as required by the standards of UKAS against ISO15189:2022 and the Human Tissue Authority as needed.

Due to the nature of this position, employment is subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK, completion of a satisfactory DBS disclosure and two references. We do not offer visa sponsorship for roles unless clearly stated in our adverts, so please consider this before applying.

Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion is at the heart of our organisational culture. As part of our pledge to take positive action in recruitment we encourage applications from under‑represented candidates including BAME (Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic) and Disabled candidates as we work towards a representative workforce that is able to provide the quality, the dignity and respect and to deliver above and beyond.

Moorfields is a flexible working friendly organisation, and we are committed to helping our employees achieve a work‑life balance that is beneficial for health and wellbeing, motivation levels and job satisfaction. Every employee of the Trust has the right to request to work flexibly. Please speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.

If we receive sufficient applications, we will close this ad prior to the closing date. You are advised not to delay submitting your completed application.

If you would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments before applying or would like an accessible version of any recruitment documents, please contact the recruitment team at [email protected].

Join Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

At Moorfields, people's sight matters—and so do the people who make it possible.

For over 200 years, Moorfields has been at the forefront of ophthalmic care, research, and education. With more than 2,300 dedicated team members and over 700,000 patients seen annually across our City Road site and 22 networked sites, we are proud to be a global centre of excellence.

We're also a vibrant community where kindness, equity and excellence shape every aspect of our work. Whether it's pioneering research through our partnership with UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Biomedical Research Centre or training the next generation of global eye care leaders, we're united by one mission—delivering world‑class eye health, sustainably and at scale.

And we're just getting started.

Construction is well underway on our groundbreaking new centre in Camden, a joint initiative between Moorfields Eye Hospital, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Eye Charity. This modern, flexible facility will bring together eye care, research, and education under one roof—enabling transformative innovation and collaboration like never before.

Could you be part of this future? Make us more.

Benefits

• Salary including High‑Cost Area Supplement
• Opportunity to join the NHS Pension Scheme
• Free 24/7 independent counselling service
• Learning and development opportunities
• Easy and quick transport links
• A range of attractive benefits and discounts
• Access to Blue Light Card and other NHS Discount Schemes
• Free Pilates classes
• Full support and training to develop your skills
• Flexible working friendly organisation

And so much more! To see the full range of benefits we offer please see our Moorfields benefits document.