Medical Laboratory Assistant (Bacteriology) (Band 2/3)

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Lancashire; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS foundation trust is seeking two Band 2 Medical Laboratory Assistants to join their busy Microbiology team. The role involves duties like receiving and processing microbiology samples, operating lab equipment, and maintaining hygiene. Ideal candidates should possess some laboratory experience and be available for flexible working hours. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to high-quality diagnostics and patient care within a supportive team environment.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Comprehensive training program

Qualifications

• Previous laboratory experience is an advantage.
• Ability to follow Standard Operating Procedures.
• Willingness to participate in weekend and Bank Holiday sessions.

Responsibilities

• Receive and book in microbiology samples.
• Prepare and process specimens under supervision.
• Operate basic laboratory equipment and report faults.
• Maintain laboratory hygiene and safety.
• Assist biomedical scientists and staff with tasks.

Skills

Laboratory equipment operation

Data entry

Sample preparation

Hygiene and safety compliance

Job description

Vacancy – Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Our busy and friendly Microbiology team at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals is looking for 2 WTE Band 2 Medical Laboratory Assistants to join us as we continue to deliver high‑quality diagnostics and patient care.

The post holder will work in the Bacteriology department within the Pathology Directorate and the Blackpool Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Applicants will need to be available to work between 8 am and 8 pm, with participation in weekend and Bank Holiday sessions also required.

We welcome and encourage application from anyone with protected characteristics, as well as supporting reservists and Veterans who are looking for a rewarding and challenging career within the NHS, and especially here at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

The principal duty of the post holder is to perform the following:

• Receiving and booking in samples – accepting microbiology specimens (e.g. swabs, urine, blood cultures), checking labelling and entering data into the laboratory information system.
• Preparing and processing specimens – plating samples onto culture media, preparing slides, or setting up tests under supervision and following aseptic technique.
• Operating basic laboratory equipment – using automated systems (e.g. incubators, analysers), loading samples and reporting any faults.
• Maintaining laboratory hygiene and safety – cleaning work areas, using personal protective equipment (PPE) and disposing of clinical waste appropriately.
• Stock control and general support – replenishing consumables, restocking media and reagents, temperature monitoring and assisting biomedical scientists and other staff with day‑to‑day tasks.
• Responding to telephone enquiries where no interpretation of results is required.

Duties will be carried out following established Standard Operating Procedures, under the supervision of State Registered Biomedical Scientists. Previous laboratory experience is a distinct advantage. A comprehensive training program is provided.

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is ideally situated just a 1‑hour drive from Manchester & Liverpool. The Trust provides services to the 440,000 residents of Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre and North Lancashire, as well as specialist tertiary care for Cardiac and Haematology patients.

Blackpool offers a wide range of amenities, making it a great place to live and work.

Flexible working is encouraged in all roles to support staff in maintaining a healthy home‑life balance. Working patterns such as part‑time, compressed hours and annualised hours can be explored. Applicants should state these preferences on their application forms and discuss them at interview.

(Please note, that visas will not be supported for this staff grade, please see attached Job Description and Personal Specification for further details)

We recommend that all individuals employed in patient‑facing roles, or those located on a ward or department where patients receive a service, should be fully vaccinated against COVID‑19.

This advert closes on Monday 29 Dec 2025.