Medical Laboratory Assistant - Blood Sciences

NHS; England; On-site; GBP 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent health service provider in the UK is looking for a Medical Laboratory Assistant to support the day-to-day operations of the laboratory. This full-time role involves processing laboratory specimens and maintaining compliance with protocols. The ideal candidate will possess a GCSE level education and strong attention to detail, with a commitment to providing high-quality patient care.

Qualifications

• Required keyboard skills and literacy.
• Interest in healthcare science and willingness to learn.
• Ability to maintain accuracy and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Process laboratory specimens and ensure patient data accuracy.
• Assist in the safe handling of hazardous materials.
• Work under supervision of biomedical scientists.

Skills

Keyboard skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Understanding of hazardous materials

Ability to concentrate for extended periods

Education

GCSE level or equivalent

Tools

Laboratory equipment

Job description

Job Summary

We are looking for a dedicated Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) to join our dynamic laboratory. This is a hands‑on role that supports the day‑to‑day operations of the laboratory, ensuring the smooth and efficient processing of samples and assisting with a variety of essential tasks. As an MLA, you will be key to supporting our laboratory staff in delivering high‑quality diagnostic services.

Key Responsibilities

• Processing laboratory specimens and ensuring patient details are accurately entered onto the laboratory computer system.
• Providing pre‑analytical support to the Biochemistry Department.
• Assisting in the safe handling of hazardous chemical and biological materials.
• Working under the supervision of qualified biomedical scientists to ensure compliance with laboratory protocols.
• Maintaining a clean and safe working environment, adhering to all health and safety guidelines.
• Communicating effectively with team members and other healthcare professionals to ensure the smooth running of the service.

Skills and Qualities

• Keyboard skills and a reasonable standard of literacy are essential.
• A genuine interest in science in healthcare and a willingness to learn.
• The ability to concentrate for extended periods of time, ensuring the accurate and efficient processing of laboratory specimens.
• A strong focus on accuracy and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to work well as part of a team.
• Flexibility in hours is essential as the service operates 24/7, 365 days a year.
• An understanding of the safe handling of hazardous chemical and biological materials.

About Us

Situated in rural Northamptonshire, Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest employers in the area and is on an exciting journey. Our mission is to provide safe, compassionate, and clinically excellent patient care by being an outstanding employer for our people.

Excellence Values

• Compassion
• Respect
• Integrity
• Courageous
• Accountable

Please stipulate in your supporting statement which of our excellence values means the most to you and how you will bring this to the role if successful? Failure to add this to your supporting statement will result in automatic rejection.

Eligibility to Work in the UK

This role does not offer sponsorship. To be considered, applicants must already have the right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we are unable to support visa applications or provide sponsorship for this role as this does not meet UKVI guidelines. Please ensure you meet the necessary work eligibility criteria before applying.

Details

Date posted: 04 November 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 2
Salary: £24,465 a year per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full‑time
Reference number: 264-7566104-CSS

Job Locations

Kettering General Hospital
Rothwell Road
Kettering
NN16 8UZ

Person Specification

Essential

• Educated to GCSE level or equivalent level of education, training or experience
• Basic literacy and/or numeracy qualifications
• Typing/word processing qualifications
• Understanding of confidential nature of patient data
• Able to type specimen information accurately and quickly from a printed or hand‑written request form
• Passionate and committed to bring our Dedicated to Excellence values to life, improving the way we work with each other, particularly focusing on empowerment, equality, diversity and inclusion of our staff, patients and service users
• Ability to concentrate to process large blocks of repetitive work
• Ability to understand and accurately pass on telephone messages
• Ability to integrate fully into a small team of staff

Desirable

• Healthcare work experience
• Computer data entry experience
• Laboratory work experience
• Able to safely handle hazardous biological and chemical materials routinely, after appropriate training
• Understanding of H&S requirements in a laboratory
• Knowledge of medical and/or laboratory terminology
• Manual dexterity to manipulate specimens for processing

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.

Employer Details

Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Kettering General Hospital
Rothwell Road
Kettering
NN16 8UZ
Website: https://www.kgh.nhs.uk/working-for-us