Medical Laboratory Assistant

Transformationunitgm; Derby; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Medical Laboratory Assistant to join their Histology Department. This role offers the chance to contribute to vital diagnostic services, handling a significant volume of patient samples each year. Ideal candidates will have a keen interest in medical science and a strong commitment to teamwork. You'll receive comprehensive in-house training, ensuring you develop the necessary skills to thrive in a dynamic environment. This position not only supports your professional growth but also allows you to make a meaningful impact in the community by providing exceptional care. Join a supportive team where your efforts are valued and recognized.

Benefits

Flexible working

Employee assistance programme

Discounted gym membership

Onsite fitness classes

Car schemes

Qualifications

• Good level of general education including English and science.
• Experience of good team working and ability to follow protocols.

Responsibilities

• Data entry and admin / filing.
• Assisting senior staff with sample handling.
• Maintenance of laboratory equipment.

Skills

Data entry

Admin skills

Chemical handling

IT literacy

Teamwork

Customer service

Education

GCSE English

GCSE Science

NVQ 2 Clinical Lab Support

Tools

IT software systems

Job description

Main area Histology Grade Band 2 Contract Permanent Hours

• Full time
• Flexible working

37.5 hours per week (To contribute to shift patterns between 0730-1900 Monday - Friday and 0730 - 1530 Saturday) Job ref 320-CDCS-3612

Employer University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Royal Derby Hospital Town Derby Salary £24,169 pro rata pa Salary period Yearly Closing 20/05/2025 23:59 Interview date 03/06/2025

Medical Laboratory Assistant

Band 2

As a trusted organisation at the heart of our communities, we recognise the important role we can play in supporting the public, patients, our own people and local partners in achieving the best of health for the local population and the communities in which they live by providing Exceptional Care Together.

Our fundamental Values of Compassion, Openness and Excellence underpin how we intend to work as a Trust and the associated behaviours are becoming embedded in all aspects of how we work.

With over 13,000 members of staff you can expect huge variety and new opportunities every day! Our staff go above and beyond and take pride in caring for our patients.

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust is fully committed to promoting inclusion, equality, diversity and human rights in employment and delivery of its services. The Trust is committed to providing an environment where all employees, patients, carers and visitors experience equality of opportunity by means of understanding and appreciating the value of diversity.

As a Trust we promote an inclusive environment and welcome applications from a diverse pool of talent and backgrounds. All individuals are valued and given every opportunity to succeed based on merit.

The Trust actively encourages applications from members of our Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities. These groups are under-represented in our organisation, and it’s important to us that our workforce reflects the diversity of our communities as much as possible.

Armed Forces and Disability Confident guaranteed interview scheme

To further support the pledges in the Armed Forces Covenant and to make a positive contribution to support ex-armed forces personnel (veterans) make the transition to civilian life, the Trust has introduced a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for veterans who meets the essential criteria set out in the person specification, to help them overcome barriers to find civilian employment. The scheme will operate for all external recruitment.

The Trust is a Disability Confident Employer and committed to both employing and retaining people with disabilities. This commitment is to guarantee an interview for any candidate that has disclosed a disability under the Equality Act 2010 and who meets the essential criteria set out in the person specification. Reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010 will be considered upon request.

If you require support/adjustments with your application please contact the recruitment team on 01332 788466

Join us and help make a real difference to our Trust.

Here’s more about the role and what we’re looking for;

Job overview

Derbyshire Pathology has a vacancy for a Medical Laboratory Assistant within the Histology Department on the Royal Derby Hospital site, although cross-site working may be required in the future. The service is currently provides a service Monday to Friday 07:30-19:30 including Saturday working over a rolling 5 week roster.

Histopathology provides a diagnostic service to Clinicians and GPs in a timely and efficient manner handling approximately 50,000 patient sample requests a year.

The role of the MLA is well established within the department. The successful candidate will be expected to have a good level of general education including English and science, be IT literate, Admin ( Filing and dealing with queries) and be familiar with safe load handling practices.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, committed individual who has a keen interest in medical science to join the Derbyshire Pathology team. A person who has an adaptable nature, can cope with the stresses of a frequently changing environment and someone who is willing to contribute and participate in a busy team.

Laboratory experience is not essential as the tasks and duties will be taught in-house, however candidates will be expected to demonstrate experience of good team working, use of initiative and ability to follow protocols.

Main duties of the job

Key roles and responsibilities for this include:

• Data entry and admin / filing
• Assisting senior staff with sample handling
• Maintenance of laboratory equipment
• Replenishing laboratory stocks and reporting low levels
• Human tissue handling, and chemical disposal
• Laboratory house keeping

Training will be provided in-house with competency assessment and reviews undertaken on a regular basis.

Closing date of advert: 20 May 2025

Date of interview: 03 June 2025

Working for our organisation

As a trusted organisation at the heart of our communities, we recognise the important role we can play in supporting the public, patients, our own people and local partners in achieving the best of health for the local population and the communities in which they live by providing Exceptional Care Together

Our fundamental Values of Compassion, Openness and Excellence underpin how we intend to work as a Trust and the associated behaviours are becoming embedded in all aspects of how we work.

In return we will offer:

• Development opportunities, both professional and leadership development
• On-going support from recruitment to when you join our team and beyond.
• Staff benefits including employee assistance programme, discounted gym membership, onsite fitness classes, car schemes

Key Facts:

• We see on average 4810 OP appointments a day.
• We are the 4th busiest Trauma & Orthopaedic outpatients department in England – an average of 2077 per week.
• An average of 1115 patients are seen in A&Es across our network every day – 3rd largest in the country.
• Our hospitals admit an average of 195 emergency patients daily.
• Last year we undertook almost 33,700 planned surgical operations in our 57 operating theatres.
• We are one of only 7 Trusts nationally with more than 50 operating theatres.
• We carry out more than 140 elective procedures each working day.
• UHDB is a research active University Hospital with a large and varied portfolio of clinical trials and research opportunities for all staff.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see attached Job description and Person Specification. To apply please click APPLY FOR THIS JOB – this link will take you to the TRAC Recruitment Site. You will need to register if you do not already have an account.

• GCSE English, science and maths or NVQ 2 Clinical Lab support

Experience and knowledge

• Evidence of chemical handling
• Evidence of stock and consumable handling
• Handles customer complaints and queries
• Evidence of clerical/admin experience
• Familiarity and experience of numemic filing systems
• Pathology laboratory experience

Skills

• Evidence of knowledge of IT software system
• Evidence of typing experience

Our Trust aims to provide the highest quality care to patients within Derbyshire and South East Staffordshire and we want the very best people to work with us.

Follow us on Twitter @UHDBTrust or find us on Facebook & LinkedIn - UHDBTrust

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

If we receive a high number of applications for this position we reserve the right to withdraw the post before the closing date, therefore it is advisable that you apply as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

At UHDB , we offer different ways to work flexibly to each and every one of our colleagues, many of whom already work flexibly at all sites of the Trust.

For our roles we are open to discussing the possibility of part-time/ reduced hours/ compressed hours/ flexible start and finish times/ fixed/flexible shifts/annualised hours/ term time hours/ hybrid working – working partly in the trust/partly at home.

Why don’t you talk to us at interview about the flexibility you would like to explore and what it means to you, and we will discuss what’s possible for the job and team, and the opportunities we might be able to create together.

We can’t promise to give you exactly what you want, but we do promise to work with you to look at all the available options.

Most of our posts are subject to a DBS check, however having a criminal record will not necessarily bar you from obtaining a position. Please be aware that all new employees starting work with us will be charged for the cost of their DBS check, if it is required for their role.

All correspondence relating to your application will be sent to you via our trac.system account. Please ensure that you regularly check your emails; this includes junk/spam, as your security settings may not recognise the sender.

Anyone from outside of the UK (excluding from the Republic of Ireland) will need permission from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to work in the UK and may also need entry clearance before travelling here.

UKVI is responsible for managing migration. To obtain a visa or entry clearance, you will need to meet certain requirements and demonstrate you have the right the work in the UK via:

• the points-based immigration system
• the EU settlement scheme
• eVisa

During the course of its employment activities, University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust collects, stores and processes personal information about prospective, current and former staff.

Our Privacy Notice includes applicants, employees (and former employees), workers (including agency, casual, honorary and contracted staff), volunteers, trainees and those carrying out work experience – please refer to our Privacy Notice available on our Trust website: https://www.uhdb.nhs.uk/information-governance

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