Medical Laboratory Assistant

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust; Greater London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading children's hospital in Greater London is seeking a Medical Laboratory Assistant to support its Department of Chemical Pathology. This role involves specimen handling, data input, and assisting in laboratory investigations, ensuring high standards of accuracy and confidentiality. Ideal candidates will have relevant GCSEs and strong interpersonal skills. The position offers a salary ranging from £30,546 to £32,207 per annum and encourages a diverse workplace culture.

Qualifications

• Understanding and awareness of procedures to ensure patient confidentiality.
• Some scientific knowledge of basic laboratory procedures.
• Knowledge of working within a laboratory environment.

Responsibilities

• Check patient information and sample type, sort and number specimens.
• Input patient demographics and test request details onto the Laboratory Computer system.
• Manage stock for the Chemical Pathology laboratory.

Skills

Good interpersonal and communication skills

Ability to organize and manage own workload

Accuracy in working and close attention to detail

Good manipulative skills and manual dexterity

Ability to deal appropriately with sensitive information

Education

GCSE (grades A‑C) in English, Maths and a science subject

Job description

Medical Laboratory Assistant

The closing date is 24 December 2025

We are looking for a Medical Laboratory Assistant to join our Department of Chemical Pathology in Great Ormond Street Hospital on a permanent basis.

If you have an interest in laboratory work, this is an ideal opportunity for you to take on a supporting role in our busy Rapid Response Laboratory (Haematology and Biochemistry) laboratory.

You will become part of a friendly team of more than 60 people providing both routine and specialised biochemical diagnostic, screening and clinical monitoring services to patients within the Hospital and external users worldwide.

The Department has a strong interest in Metabolic Medicine, Diagnostic Enzymology and Newborn Screening. The Blood Science Laboratory is well equipped with Vitros 7600 analysers, an Immulite Xpi, Liason Diasorin and the whole department benefits from a range of high‑end equipment including GCMS, LC‑MS/MS, ICP‑MS and UHPLC. This post is based in Rapid Response Laboratory.

The successful candidate will be required to support the department in the extended day working rota (8:00am – 8:00pm). This post-holder will be encouraged to join our weekend voluntary Bank system.

For further information or to arrange an informal visit please phone Daley Aofolaju, Laboratory Manager on 020 7405 9200 Extension 0214.

Main duties of the job

• Specimen reception: checking patient information and sample type, sorting and numbering of specimens.
• To follow procedures for the receipt of correctly labelled specimens and inform lab staff of any errors.
• To input patient demographics and test request details on to the Laboratory Computer system and filing as directed.
• To undertake preparatory work e.g. reagents and other solutions as required.
• Stock management for the Chemical Pathology laboratory.
• Perform investigations on clinical samples under the supervision of registered Scientific staff.
• Following standard operating procedures at all times.
• To bring any unusual test requests and unexpected results to the attention of a senior member of the BMS staff.
• To assist in the training of less experienced staff when required.
• When suitably experienced to participate in weekend work on a voluntary basis.

About us

We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as the communities we serve, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including people with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic heritage, people with a disability, and people from LGBTQ+ communities. By growing an ever more diverse workforce, we'll have a greater range of perspectives and knowledge, meaning that we can provide the children and young people at our hospital with even better care.

Our hospital is committed to creating an environment that is open and inclusive. Our staff are encouraged to engage with colleagues through the following networks: REACH (Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage), ENABLED (Enhancing Abilities & Leveraging Disabilities Network), PRIDE and Women's networks; all of which are sponsored by a member of our Executive Management Team.

We want to ensure that all of our people, regardless of their background, are seen and heard. We want to attract applicants that share our commitment to inclusion and that understand diversity is a strength that is embraced and valued.

Job responsibilities

The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. For both documents please view the attachment/s below.

Person Specification

GOSH Culture and Values

• Our Always values
• GCSE (grades A‑C) (4‑9) Functional Skills Level 2 or higher qualification in English, Maths and a science subject or equivalent

Experience/Knowledge

• Understanding and awareness of Procedures to ensure patient confidentiality
• Some scientific knowledge of basic laboratory procedures and understanding of the safe and effective use of equipment
• Knowledge of working within a laboratory environment

Skills/Abilities

• Good Interpersonal and communication skills, written and verbal
• Ability to organise and manage own workload, meet deadlines and able to follow and take instructions
• Accuracy in working and close attention to detail
• Good manipulative skills and manual dexterityAbility to use standard software programs and competent to use computer systems
• Ability to deal appropriately with sensitive information

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.

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust

£30,546 to £32,207 a yearper annum inclusive