Medical Laboratory Assistant - Blood Sciences

NHS; Shrewsbury; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Shrewsbury is seeking two Medical Laboratory Assistants for a permanent and full-time role. You will support the laboratory team with data entry, sample processing, and maintaining laboratory equipment. Ideal candidates should possess good GCSE qualifications and demonstrate teamwork. This role requires flexibility for a 7-day working rota, offering a chance to develop a long-term career in the medical field.

Qualifications

• Experience in data entry required.
• Previous experience in NHS laboratory preferred.
• Understanding of confidentiality and data protection is essential.

Responsibilities

• Support scientific staff in receipt and data entry of patient samples.
• Prepare chemical solutions and maintain laboratory equipment.
• Participate in a 7-day working rota with out of hours work.

Skills

Accurate data entry and keyboard skills

Ability to work as part of a team with indirect supervision

Education

Good general education up to GCSE including Maths, English and Science

NVQ level 2, Clinical Laboratory Support or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Medical Laboratory Assistant - Blood Sciences

The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust

The closing date is 17 November 2025

An exciting opportunity has arisen to recruit two permanent, full-time Medical Laboratory Assistants to join our Pathology Specimen Reception team, based at The Royal Shrewsbury Hospital. Please note that these are not trainee Biomedical Scientist posts and are unlikely to lead to one.

We want to employ individuals who are looking for a long-term career as a Medical Laboratory Assistant. The posts are therefore more suitable for individuals who have not already got a degree qualification. We are seeking self-motivated and conscientious individuals who have an organised approach with good attention to detail and who can remain calm in stressful situations. You will need excellent communication and observation skills and should enjoy working as part of a team.

Previous experience in a NHS clinical laboratory or in analytical techniques would be an advantage but not essential as full training will be provided. A good level of secondary education is required with English, Maths and Science to GCSE grade 9 - 4 (or equivalent).

IMPORTANT: Please can applicants state their GCSE grades fully on their application form and comply with the person specification or their application may not be considered.

Main duties of the job

The role of a Medical Laboratory Assistant is varied and involves supporting the scientific staff in the receipt, data entry and pre-analytic preparation of patient samples, preparing chemical solutions, maintaining stocks of consumable items, disposal of chemical and/ or biological waste, and maintaining and decontamination of complex laboratory equipment and as such is a key role in supporting a diagnostic service.

Both posts are for 37.5 hours a week. Core working hours will be from 09:00 to 17:30 (Monday-Friday), with approximately 1 late shift 12:30-21:00 and 1 partial late shift 11:30- 20:00 every other week. You will be required to support a 7 day working rota which will include out of hours work such as evenings, nights, weekends and Bank/ Public holidays, according to service needs. Flexibility is therefore essential.

About us

Our vision is to put patients at the centre of everything we do.

In the Blood Sciences department you will be working alongside a friendly, expert and energetic team of Consultants, Clinical Scientists, Biomedical Scientists and Associate Practitioners.

Visits to the department are welcome and can be arranged.

Please note, for vacancies that receive a high number of applications, we reserve the right to close the post before the stated closing date, so please apply as soon as possible.

Job responsibilities

For full duties and responsibilities please refer to the attached document entitled Job Description.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Good general education up to GCSE including Maths, English and Science (Grades 9 - 4) or equivalent.
• NVQ level 2, Clinical Laboratory Support or equivalent
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office

Experience

• Data Entry Experience
• Clinical NHS laboratory experience
• NHS Hospital experience

Knowledge

• Basic theoretical knowledge to support sample processing / analytical processes
• Understanding of the need for confidentiality and data protection.
• Understanding of health and safety.

Skill

• Accurate data entry and keyboard skills
• Ability to work as part of a team with indirect supervision

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 name

The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust