Medical Laboratory Assistant - Histology

HCA Healthcare; Greater London; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free Parking

Job summary

HCA Laboratories in London is seeking a Medical Laboratory Assistant to join the Histology team. Based at Shropshire House, central London, you will support the full histology pathway from sample receipt to processing in a busy, established service.

This hands-on role requires accuracy, organisation and teamwork. You’ll work with pathologists, biomedical scientists and colleagues, with opportunities to gain specialist experience and progress through Associate Practitioner development pathways

Qualifications

• A patient centred approach with strong attention to detail and a focus on quality and safety.
• Previous experience working in a laboratory or healthcare environment.
• Good IT skills and confidence using laboratory or data systems.
• The ability to communicate clearly and work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• A flexible approach to working hours, with the ability to work shifts and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Support the safe and efficient day to day running of the histology service in line with departmental policies, SOPs and quality systems
• Receive, register and process histology samples accurately using laboratory systems, ensuring patient data is correctly recorded
• Handle, file and dispatch diagnostic material including microscope slides, paraffin blocks and specimens
• Assist with cytological processing and support the ongoing development of the digital pathology service
• Carry out routine equipment checks and contribute to maintaining a clean, organised and compliant laboratory environment

Job description

Medical Laboratory Assistant – Histology

Huntingdon, HCA Cyted Laboratories

Full time, 37.5 hours per week
Shift patterns between 7.30am and 8.30pm, Monday to Friday, including weekends
Permanent
Competitive salary, dependent on experience

Free Parking available

We're looking for a Medical Laboratory Assistant to join our Histology team at HCA Laboratories, based at Shropshire House in central London. With more than 35 years’ experience delivering high quality pathology services, HCA Laboratories supports acute care across our HCA Hospitals, alongside services for IVF clinics, insurance providers, healthcare screening and GP practices. Our laboratories cover a full range of pathology disciplines and are equipped with advanced analytical and digital technology, enabling us to deliver safe, timely and reliable diagnostic services every day.

As a Medical Laboratory Assistant in Histology, you'll play an important part in a collaborative team supporting the full histology pathway from sample receipt through to processing. This is a hands‑on role where accuracy, organisation and teamwork are essential. You'll work closely with pathologists, biomedical scientists and laboratory colleagues to help maintain quality standards and ensure the service runs efficiently. Alongside gaining exposure to a busy and well‑established histology service, you'll have opportunities to build specialist experience and progress through Associate Practitioner development pathways, giving you a clear route to grow your career within laboratory medicine.

What you'll do:

• Support the safe and efficient day to day running of the histology service in line with departmental policies, SOPs and quality systems
• Receive, register and process histology samples accurately using laboratory systems, ensuring patient data is correctly recorded
• Handle, file and dispatch diagnostic material including microscope slides, paraffin blocks and specimens
• Assist with cytological processing and support the ongoing development of the digital pathology service
• Carry out routine equipment checks and contribute to maintaining a clean, organised and compliant laboratory environment

What you'll bring:

• A patient centred approach with strong attention to detail and a focus on quality and safety
• Previous experience working in a laboratory or healthcare environment
• Good IT skills and confidence using laboratory or data systems
• The ability to communicate clearly and work effectively within a multidisciplinary team
• A flexible approach to working hours, with the ability to work shifts and weekends

Why HCA UK?

Originally founded over 50 years ago by Dr Thomas Frist, HCA has gone on to become one of the world’s leading healthcare providers. In the UK, We're one of the largest providers of privately funded healthcare and have invested over £500 million in the latest treatments, technology, techniques, medication and facilities. Being part of a large multisite, established healthcare group we can offer you unrivalled opportunities for career progression through internal and external courses, as well as working conditions that prioritise both your mental and physical wellbeing.

We believe that by caring for our colleagues, we empower them to provide exceptional care for our patients. That's why we offer a host of flexible benefits that reflect the invaluable contribution they make every day. As a Medical Laboratory Assistant in Histology you'll be eligible for:

• 25 days holiday each year (plus bank holidays) increasing with service, with option to buy or sell leave to suit you
• Private Healthcare Insurance for treatment at our leading hospitals
• Private pension contribution which increases with length of service
• Season Ticket Loan and Cycle to Work scheme
• Group Life Assurance from day one
• Critical illness cover
• Enhanced Maternity and Paternity pay
• Corporate staff discount for all facilities including Maternity packages at The Portland
• Comprehensive range of flexible health, protection and lifestyle benefits to suit you
• Discounts with over 800 major retailers

Culture and values

At HCA UK we believe exceptional care starts with our people. We celebrate the unique perspectives and different experiences each of us bring as we know that when you feel seen, heard and supported you can be at your best for our patients, and each other.

Our mission is simple, above all else we're committed to the care and improvement of human life, a clear statement that extends to both our patients and colleagues. To achieve this, we live and breathe four core values:

• Unique and Individual : We recognise and value everyone as unique and individual
• Kindness and compassion : We treat people with kindness and compassion
• Honesty, integrity and fairness : We act with absolute honesty, integrity and fairness
• Loyalty, respect and dignity : We trust and treat one another as valued members of the HCA UK family with loyalty, respect and dignity

Reasonable adjustments

We believe everyone should feel comfortable to bring their full self to work and be afforded the same opportunities. As a Disability Confident committed organisation, we're happy to discuss flexible working arrangements to suit your needs as well as offer reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process, and in the workplace, to anyone that needs them.

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