Medical Laboratory Assistant Apprenticeship

Bidvane; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 12,000 - 18,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff benefits

Learning and development opportunities

Career pathways

Job summary

The Royal Marsden Hospital is offering a Medical Laboratory Assistant apprenticeship within the Clinical Genomics department in London. The role provides technical and administrative support from specimen reception to sample processing, rotating across Cytogenetics and Molecular Diagnostics on a 37.5-hour week with a rotational shift system to support extended service hours.

Applicants need GCSEs and A-level science qualifications, UK residency and right-to-work eligibility, and must meet

Qualifications

• GCSE English, Maths and Science at Grade 4/C or equivalent, with evidence, and A-level Biology or another relevant science subject at Grade C or above.

Responsibilities

• Collect biological samples from main Pathology laboratories and other areas, maintaining audit trails.
• Receive and check specimens against request forms, identify errors and handle high-risk or damaged samples.
• Sort and prioritise samples for processing in line with SOPs and requirements.
• Enter patient details and test requests into IT systems.
• Package samples for sendaway and rotate through reception and diagnostic labs to support.
• Process specimens and support scientists in producing accurate diagnostic results.
• Carry out equipment maintenance tasks and assist with training, quality activities and audits.

Skills

Genetics basics

Molecular biology basics

Attention to detail

Time management

Communication

Data handling & confidentiality

Education

GCSE English, Maths & Science

A-level Biology or relevant science

Tools

Word

Excel

Outlook

Job description

This Medical Laboratory Assistant apprenticeship sits in The Royal Marsden's Clinical Genomics department, based in the Centre for Molecular Pathology. It provides technical and administrative support for cancer genetics diagnostics, from specimen reception and data entry to sample processing and equipment tasks. The post rotates across Cytogenetics and Molecular Diagnostics and includes 37.5 hours a week on a rotational shift system supporting extended service hours. Applicants need the stated GCSE and A-level science qualifications, UK residency and right-to-work eligibility, and must meet the apprenticeship funding rules.

What the job involves

• Collect biological samples from main Pathology laboratories, minor procedures, theatres and switchboard, including late samples, and maintain audit trails
• Receive and check specimens against request forms, raise labelling errors with clinical staff, identify high-risk specimens and act on leaking or damaged samples
• Sort and prioritise samples for processing in line with SOPs and laboratory requirements
• Enter patient details and test requests from referral hospitals, wards and clinical areas into IT systems
• Package samples for sendaway
• Rotate through Clinical Genomics Central Reception, Cytogenetics and Molecular Diagnostics to provide laboratory support
• Process specimens and support scientists in producing accurate diagnostic results
• Carry out equipment maintenance tasks
• Support staff training, quality activities and audits
• Work to defined procedures with minimal supervision, independently and as part of the team, to maintain an efficient and reliable service

What's required

Qualifications

• GCSE English, Maths and Science at Grade 4/C or equivalent, with evidence, and A-level Biology or another relevant science subject at Grade C or above

Experience

• Laboratory work experience

Skills & knowledge

• Basic understanding of genetics and molecular biology
• High accuracy and attention to detail; able to follow complex procedures and protocols precisely
• Strong organisation and time management, including managing pressure and competing priorities
• Effective written and spoken communication; able to work independently and with a team
• Appropriate handling of sensitive and confidential data; competent with Word, Excel and Outlook

Checks & eligibility

• Lived in the UK or EEA for the past three years and have the legal right to live and work in the UK throughout the apprenticeship
• Not undertaking another government-funded training programme and not already holding a qualification in the same subject at the same level or above

Other

• Self-motivated and proactive, with willingness to learn and undertake further training
• Flexible and adaptable, with a professional approach and commitment to high standards
• Respectful, compassionate and collaborative

Nice to have

• Evidence of ongoing continuing professional development
• Experience handling biological samples
• Experience in a laboratory or technical healthcare setting
• Awareness of health and safety, COSHH and waste disposal regulations
• Experience with sample triage, processing and sendaway
• Experience mentoring or training junior staff

What's offered

• Staff benefits
• Learning and development opportunities
• Career pathways
• Flexible working opportunities and consideration of flexible working requests