Medical Laboratory Assistant

NHS; Maidstone; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Maidstone is seeking a Medical Laboratory Assistant. This role is ideal for candidates interested in laboratory diagnostics and beginning a career in Biomedical Sciences. Responsibilities include assisting in laboratory tasks and ensuring compliance with health and safety standards. The ideal candidate will possess good communication skills and attention to detail. Competitive salary offered within a supportive working environment.

Benefits

At least 27 days of annual leave plus public holidays

Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme

Blue Light card eligibility

Qualifications

• Experience of skilled manual activity or work (with examples).
• Basic understanding of laboratory health and safety requirements.
• Confidentiality understanding (with examples).

Responsibilities

• Assist in the processing of samples and laboratory work.
• Maintain adherence to health and safety standards.
• Record data accurately and maintain laboratory records.

Skills

Good written communications skills

Competent use of Microsoft applications

Attention to detail

Education

GCSEs or equivalent in English, Maths, and Science

A level or equivalent

Certificate of achievement Part 1

Job description

Maidstone Hospital, situated in the heart of the Kent countryside, covers a large population and includes the regional Oncology centre, which is expanding in support of the Kent cancer network.The Histology department provides services for Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trusts, Medway NHS Foundation Trust and Dartford & Gravesham NHS Trust. Consequently, there is a combined Histology workload of around 90,000 cases per year. The department carries out a wide range of investigations, including various specialist resections from hospitals within Kent & Medway.

Applications are invited for the post of Medical Laboratory Assistant. This post would suit an enthusiastic and self-motivated person with good interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work as part of a team. Good hand-eye coordination and attention to detail are essential requirements.

This post would suit candidates with an interest in laboratory diagnostics, particularly those looking to start a career in Biomedical Sciences within the NHS.

Main duties of the job

Working for Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, you will be part of the Kent and Medway Pathology Network (South 8 network). Kent and Medway Pathology Network is made up of seven laboratories across three pathology services in four acute Trusts - East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust and North Kent Pathology Services (hosted by Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust and providing services to Medway Foundation Trust).

The network provides services across the health sector to a population of nearly 2 million.

The network vision is based on:

• A single laboratory information management system (LIMS) and managed services contract (MSC);
• A Director of Pathology Transformation who will work closely with teams and services to design and implement service changes which benefit the whole network.
• A commitment to consider a single management structure at a point in the future; and,
• A general agreement to collaborate and to align processes and Standard Operating Procedures where it makes sense to do so.

You will not be expected to work at sites outside of Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust. However, there will be opportunities for collaborative working within this network

About us

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 and 2024 NHS Staff Survey.

We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.

Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.

Looking for flexible working? We are a flexible working-friendly organisation. Whether it's adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.

Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:

• At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).
• Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a employer contribution of 23.7% and life assurance benefits
• Blue Light card eligibility
• And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below

Job responsibilities

Weve provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please take a moment to review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. Please also check your application for errors/omissions before submission.

Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check at a Standard Level.

Working for Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust/NKPS you will be part of the Kent and Medway Pathology Network (South 8 Network - Kent and Medway Pathology Network is made up of seven laboratories across three pathology services in four acute Trusts. For more information on the network please see the attached document

Please note that this role may often attract a high level of applications. Please note this role may close earlier than the original dates, so please ensure you submit your application as soon as possible.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• GCSEs or equivalent level in English language, Maths and Science.
• A level or equivalent
• Certificate of achievement Part 1

Experience/Knowledge

• Experience of skilled manual activity or work (with examples)
• Basic understanding of laboratory health and safety requirements (with examples)
• An understanding of the need for confidentiality (with examples)
• Experience of tasks requiring high level attention to detail (with examples)
• Experience working in a laboratory (ideally histology)
• Experiences working with databases (ideally lab based)

Skills

• Good written communications skills
• Competent use of Microsoft applications.
• Correctly completed application form

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.

£24,937 to £26,598 a yearper annum pro rata