Medical Laboratory Assistant - Haematology/Blood Transfusion (Band 2)

Airedale NHS Trust; Long Lee; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider is seeking a full-time Medical Laboratory Assistant at the Airedale Hospital. Responsibilities include training new staff, handling enquiries, and preparing samples for diagnostic testing. Ideal candidates should display strong teamwork, organizational, and communication skills. Basic IT knowledge is advantageous. This role operates within a 24/7 service framework, emphasizing patient safety and quality care.

Qualifications

• Enthusiastic and well-motivated individuals.
• Ability to prioritize workload to meet turnaround times.
• Understanding of urgency in sample processing.

Responsibilities

• Deliver training to new staff members.
• Handle telephone and face-to-face enquiries.
• Sort and prepare samples for testing.
• Input patient data accurately into systems.

Skills

Organizational skills

Teamwork

Communication skills

Basic IT skills

Education

Medical Laboratory Assistant qualification

Job description

Airedale NHS Foundation Trust (ANHSFT), Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (BTHFT), and Harrogate District Hospital (HDH) have formed a joint venture, Integrated Pathology Solutions LLP (IPS), to provide high-quality diagnostic and consultative services to clinical service users of both Hospital Trusts, and to primary and secondary care providers within the locality.

Applications are invited for a full-time Medical Laboratory Assistant (Agenda for Change Band 2) in Haematology and Blood Transfusion based at the Airedale Hospital site.

Medical Laboratory Assistants are a key staff group within the pathology laboratory. Candidates should be enthusiastic, well-motivated, and innovative, with good organizational and practical skills. Teamwork and communication skills are essential. Previous experience and basic IT skills would be advantageous, and having a Medical Laboratory Assistant qualification would be a distinct advantage during shortlisting.

The successful candidate will work across all sections within the department, including General Haematology, Coagulation, and Blood Transfusion. The department operates a 24/7 service, with core working hours from 12 pm to 8 pm, Monday to Friday.

Under supervision and following Standard Operating Procedures, duties may include:

1. Undertaking in-service training leading to competency certification.
2. Delivering core training to new staff members.
3. Handling telephone enquiries, including stock requests, advice, results, and call routing.
4. Managing face-to-face pathology enquiries.
5. Liaising with and dispatching consumables.
6. Resolving day-to-day issues such as mislabelled specimens and sample volume problems.
7. Sorting and preparing high volumes of samples for diagnostic testing.
8. Prioritizing workload to meet turnaround times, including emergency work.
9. Organizing daily workload involving sorting and pre-analytical processes.
10. Following business continuity plans during service outages.
11. Inputting patient data accurately into laboratory computer systems while maintaining concentration.
12. Understanding the urgency of sample processing to ensure patient safety.

For full details, please see the attached job description and person specification.

We value innovative approaches to service provision. Our services include telemedicine, telehealth for offender healthcare, and care home services. We are supported by volunteers and collaborate with local colleges and universities to inspire future healthcare professionals.

We seek staff who embody our Right Care behaviours: compassion, a commitment to quality, and teamwork for patient benefit.

This position is currently not eligible for a certificate of sponsorship under the UK Home Office skilled worker visa list. If you hold a different UK work visa, we welcome your application. Please note that visa status may be reviewed during employment, which could affect your employment status.

For full details, see the attached job description and person specification.