Medical Laboratory Assistant

University-Hospitals-of-North-Midlands-Nhs-Trust; Stoke-on-Trent; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust in Stoke-on-Trent is seeking a Medical Laboratory Assistant (Band 3) to provide basic technical/clinical laboratory support. You will undertake routine tests, prepare samples, and operate routine laboratory equipment while maintaining safety and quality standards.

The role requires GCSEs in Maths/English/Science and relevant NVQs with an emphasis on data entry, IT systems, and teamwork.

Qualifications

• GCSE grades A-C in Maths, English and a Science subject.
• NVQ level 2 or equivalent with an Apprenticeship in Clinical Laboratory Support; IBMS Certificate of Achievement.
• NVQ level 3 in Clinical Laboratory Support.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine tests and prepare samples and tissue.
• Handle sample receipt and preparation; operate and maintain laboratory equipment.
• Update information systems and adhere to Health and Safety policies.
• Provide reception duties as required and support colleagues in the Department.
• Be a flexible, efficient member of the laboratory team delivering the service.

Skills

IT systems

Data entry

Teamwork

Training others

Laboratory knowledge

Education

GCSE A-C in Maths English Science

NVQ level 2 or equivalent

Apprenticeship: Clinical Laboratory Support

IBMS Certificate of Achievement

NVQ level 3 in Clinical Laboratory Support

Job description

Employer University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust Employer type NHS Site Royal Stoke University Hospital Town Stoke-on-Trent Salary £25,760 - £27,476 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 29/10/2026 23:59

Medical Laboratory Assistant

Band 3

Job overview

**Previous applicants need not apply**

At present, University Hospitals of North Midlands is unable to offer visa sponsorship for Band 2 to Band 4 roles, as these positions do not meet the minimum salary and skill thresholds required under UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) regulations.

Main duties of the job

To provide basic technical/clinical laboratory services and support. Undertake routine tests, preparing samples and tissue, undertaking physiological measurement and the use and maintenance of routine laboratory equipment.

The job will also involve sample handling and problem solving. Please see job description for in depth details.

• The tasks will include; sample receipt and preparation, operation and maintenance of laboratory equipment and updating of information systems.
• To work within the written Policies and Procedures of the Department especially in relation to Health and Safety and Quality.
• To undertake reception duties as and when required.
• To offer support to Pathology Support Workers and Biomedical Scientists within the Department
• To be an efficient and flexible member of the laboratory team assisting in the delivery of the service.

Working for our organisation

University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust is one of the largest and most modern in the country. Based across two sites, Royal Stoke in Stoke-on-Trent and County Hospital in Stafford, we are proud to serve around three million people and we're highly regarded for our facilities, teaching and research. We are the specialist centre for major trauma for the North Midlands and North Wales.

All of our employees make a valuable contribution regardless of role here at UHNM and we are proud of our wide range of development packages aimed at ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their true potential.

UHNM create and encourage a culture of inclusion, providing equal opportunities for career development that are fair and transparent. We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer and foster a culture in which all staff feel valued and respected. In return we ask all of our employees to make a commitment to the values, co-created by or staff, patients and carers, and that unite us as a Trust.

At University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust we know that investing in, supporting and developing our staff has a direct impact on the quality of care that we deliver. Our employees are as important as our patients and the population that we serve.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For more information on working for the Trust, please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification or contact the Hiring Manager.

Person specification

Education and qualifications

• Good standard of Education demonstrated by GCSE grades A-C in Maths, English and a Science subject.
• Relevant NVQ level 2 or equivalent. A suitable Apprenticeship such as Clinical Laboratory Support. The IBMS Certificate of Achievement.
• Basic level of theoretical technical knowledge of the role.
• Awareness of Health and Safety matters.
• Understanding the importance of confidentiality and data quality
• NVQ level 3 in Clinical Laboratory Support

Experience

• Familiarity with IT systems
• Experience of Data Entry
• Experience of working in a team and alone
• Experience of demonstrating tasks to others
• Previous experience of working in a Laboratory environment.
• Experience of working within the NHS

Skills, Ability & Knowledge

• To have intermediate and accurate IT skills
• Have good manual dexterity skills
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Basic analytical skills with an ability to work in a methodical and systematic way.

Personal Qualities

• Professional personal presentation and manner.
• Prepared to work flexibly including participating in weekend and other out of hours rotas as necessary.
• To participate in a shift pattern if required to do so by the relevant department.
• Ability and willingness to fulfil the travel requirements of the post if relevant – primary place of work as per JD but on rare occasion may reasonably be asked to work at another site where the Trust has responsibility for Pathology services.

Important information about your application

• All correspondence will be sent to you via the email address you applied from. Please ensure you check your emails regularly.
• References - please ensure you provide email addresses for all referees for the last three years of employment.
• We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from everyone regardless of ethnicity, disability, gender, age, faith or sexual orientation. Appointment will be based on merit alone.
• Flexible working will be considered in line with Trust policies
• New recruits are required to pay for their Disclosure and Barring Service check (and admin fee) prior to starting if the role requires a DBS check.
• We work with ‘trac.jobs’ to support out recruitment process. If you have any queries regarding this please read this privacy notice.

University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) has been awarded the Gold Award for proudly supporting those who serve. We actively encourage applications from the Armed Forces community

We will communicate with you regarding your job application via email. Please be aware that we cannot guarantee the security of any emails sent/received via non encrypted format.

If you obtained your qualifications overseas, you will be required to provide an official government translation through ECCTIS (formerly known as NARIC). Please note, this is in addition to any professional registration requirements and not a replacement for your qualifications.

If you are currently in the UK on a visa, you must have at least six months remaining on your visa at the time of your start date to ensure sufficient time for the operational and training process associated with the role. The requirement of at least six months remaining on your visa does not apply to a Skilled Worker Visa, as a new Skilled Worker Visa would be required for a new role.

In line with the change of Immigration rules on 8th January 2026 if you require Sponsorship through the Skilled Worker Visa you must be able to provide B2 English evidence before a Certificate of Sponsorship can be issued.

Visa eligibility notice:
The UK Home Office has imposed an emergency brake on specific visa routes.

• Skilled Worker visas cannot currently be issued to Afghan nationals.
• Study visas cannot currently be issued to nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar or Sudan.
  As a result, we are unable to progress applications requiring sponsorship under these routes.

UHNM supports the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to assist in preparing your supporting statement. However, we reserve the right to reject applications where AI has been used in a misleading manner, for example, by implying experience or understanding that the applicant does not possess or where its use is excessive or unfair. If AI has been used to support your application, you must declare this within your submission.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.