Medical Laboratory Assistant (Histology & Digital Lab)

Deciphex Limited; Kidlington; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits

Pension plan

Annual leave

Job summary

Diagnexia, a subsidiary of Deciphex, is seeking an entry-level Medical Laboratory Assistant to support our histopathology operations in Oxford. You will work across lab functions, building technical competency from day one within a structured MLA module framework.

Join a growth-focused team in a cutting-edge digital pathology environment, with CPD opportunities and career progression toward AP/BMS tracks. Shift work, including weekends, is part of the role.

Qualifications

• Fluent written and spoken English; able to raise concerns clearly.
• Accurate, reliable work in a regulated, time-sensitive environment.
• Willingness to work across all Histopathology lab functions as directed.
• Commitment to following SOPs and escalating issues when needed.

Responsibilities

• Receive, log, and label specimens, slides & blocks; check formalin adequacy and chain of custody at receipt.
• Data entry and use of LIMS/Tracking System for registration and verification of pathology data.
• Load/unload tissue processors; monitor cycle completion and reagent levels.
• Run routine H&E staining and assess slide quality before release.
• File and retrieve slides/blocks; maintain storage compliance.
• Assist with dissection, embedding, and microtomy under supervision.
• Assist with batch scanners/queue management and report scan issues.
• Adhere to GDPR/CQC and protect patient data; respond to queries professionally.

Skills

English fluency

Attention to detail

Time management

Ownership & initiative

Education

NVQ Level 2/3 in Laboratory Science or equivalent

Tools

LIMS

Freshdesk

ClickUp

MS Office

Google Sheets

Job description

Work Environment:

• This position is fully Lab Based; Kidlington, Oxford, UK.
• Travel may be very rarely required on an ad hoc basis.
• Regrettably we cannot offer UK sponsorship or UK Visa for role.

Shift Work

• You will work on a 7.5 hour shift basis per week excluding lunch (incl occasional weekends)
• Shift Times will be scheduled each week on a rota and communicated by your Line Manager

About our Lab

Step into Diagneixa - a cutting-edge digital pathology environment where innovation meets purpose. Working for Diagnexia means taking a step into a forward-thinking, digitally-driven diagnostic laboratory at the forefront of diagnostic innovation.

• At the heart of our laboratory in Kidlington Oxford, is a passionate team dedicated to advancing healthcare. For you this means working alongside open, skilled colleagues who inspire growth and learning every day.
• We provide unmatched opportunities for ongoing personal and professional career development.
• You’ll take on new and exciting challenges. And your professional journey will be fuelled by continual learning, amazing collaboration, and working together to make a real difference.

Ready to shape the future of pathology, and grow personally and professionally? If so join us.

About the role

• Our Medical Laboratory Assistants are the operational foundation of our Diagnexia Oxford Lab Operations.
• You work across the Histopathology laboratory functions as directed by the daily rota, building technical competency against a structured module framework from day one.

Career progression

• At Diagneixa, our laboratory team includes senior Biomedical Scientists, Associate Practitioners, Medical Laboratory Assistants and Support Technicians.
• We’re going through a really important phase of growth and structure-building within our laboratory.
• We have a clear, more intentional MLA model. Once that gives you proper career progression, stronger support, and more opportunity over time.
• You can see the role you’re joining, understand what sits above it, and know what progression looks like from day 1

Your career journey with us

• Our MLA roles are the entry point to our Associate Practitioner (AP) pathway.
• You join at entry level Medical Laboratory Assistant (L1), work through probation, and progress to MLA (L2) after achieving technical competency against a predetermined and & structured MLA module framework.
• Once MLA (L2) role is the entry point to the Associate Practitioner pathway for those who wish to progress further
• Staff who achieve our full L2 module completion and demonstrate the quality behaviours expected at that level are eligible to be considered for the AP track. This is not automatic however, it is subject to a formal selection process and the availability of AP posts.
• You may have the opportunity to progress to BMS, subject to you holding an IBMS accredited degree.
• Your progression within the role, and your salary, is directly linked to the modules you achieve sign-off on.

Key responsibilities

• Receive, log, and label specimens, slides & blocks; check formalin adequacy and chain of custody at the point of receipt
• Data entry and competent in the use of the LIMS and Tracking System, including its use in registration and verification of data relating to pathology specimens, slides and blocks
• Load and unload tissue processors; check reagent levels, select correct programme, monitor cycle completion
• Run routine H&E staining; assess slide quality against defined criteria before release
• File, retrieve, and return slides and blocks; maintain storage compliance
• Carry out routine and non-routine specimen preparation and/or analysis including assisting medical and scientific staff at dissection, and performing routine laboratory tasks, following training, such as embedding and microtomy
• Set up dissection bench; scribe and label cassettes accurately as directed by BMS during cut-up
• Load scanners; manage batch queues; identify and report scan failures before end of session
• Raise any quality concern, discrepancy, or near-miss to the BMS on shift — same day, every time
• Log and communicate using Freshdesk, ClickUp, and chat as required
• Ensure compliance with GDPR/CQC regulations and maintain patient records in accordance with all data protection protocols
• Respond to incoming calls, voicemails, and email tickets in a polite and supportive manner, seeking scientific staff advice where required.
• Basic troubleshooting of customer support problems

Additional Areas

• Track and document technical problems
• Know the limits of own practice and elevate uncertainties, concerns and technical issues to senior member of staff when appropriate
• Assist with Laboratory stock control and carry out regular checks of stock levels, replenishing and ordering these as appropriate
• Assist with equipment verification work and Research Pathology technical support as required
• Comply with all applicable health and safety requirements
• Participate in relevant audits in line with UKAS requirements and ensure ongoing compliance with UKAS ISO 15189 standards in day-to-day work
• Participate in CPD activities
• The role will include shift work & weekend work as required
• Any other duties & responsibilities as may be assigned form time to time
• You will be expected to apply judgement, scientific knowledge gained within the role and skills in your day-to-day work, to provide a high quality and timely result service.

About You (Skills and Experience):

Essential skills

• Ability to work accurately and reliably in a regulated, time-sensitive environment
• Willingness to work across all Histopathology Lab functions as directed
• Clear verbal and written communication; ability to raise concerns without hesitation
• Commitment to following SOPs and escalating rather than improvising

Ideal (definite bonus if you have these)

• Experience of previously working in a busy pathology laboratory or within digital pathology (significant advantage)
• Experience in microtomy (significant advantage)
• NVQ Level 2/3 in Laboratory Science or equivalent qualification
• Experience in MSOffice or Google Sheets

Soft skills we assess for successful MLA’s

• You communicate fluently in English, in writing and in person.
• You are organised, self-directed, and bring urgency to your work without needing to be chased.
• You take ownership of your time and output.
• You know that precision matters here. Errors have patient impact and you hold yourself to that standard.
• You build trust quickly with internal teams and external partners alike.
• You are curious, proactive about your own development, and bring fresh thinking to problems.

** Start Date for this role is June & July 2026

What are the benefits of working with Diagnexia?

• Good salary with performance based annual increments.
• Healthcare benefits & pension
• Annual leave
• A true sense of meaning in your work by contributing to better patient outcomes.
• The opportunity to work alongside a world-class high performing team in a hyper-growth startup environment.
• A chance to work on exciting,challenging and unique projects.
• Regular performance feedback and significant career growth opportunities.
• A highly collaborative and supportive multi cultural team.
• AI enabled company with access to AI tools

About the Company

Diagnexia, a subsidiary of Deciphex: Accelerating Certainty and Pioneering Pathology Services.

Diagnexia, a leading provider of pathology services, operates as a subsidiary of the parent company, Deciphex. Established in Dublin in 2017, Deciphex has rapidly expanded to become a global team of over 150 professionals, offering innovative software solutions to address the pathology gap in both research and clinical areas. With a mission to accelerate the drug development process and provide timely, accurate diagnoses for cancer patients, Deciphex has established a strong presence through its offices in Dublin, Exeter, Oxford and Chicago.

As part of the Deciphex family, Diagnexia leverages its expertise to provide cutting‑edge diagnostic solutions to healthcare organizations worldwide. Our cloud‑based platform enables hospitals to easily and rapidly send cases for a consultation to our team of expert subspecialists. We are dedicated to improving patient outcomes and helping healthcare organisations stay at the forefront of the industry.

We are software developers, clinical specialists, AI engineers, operations professionals and so much more, all working as one team to support our customers and patients. Our team culture is built on trust. We give our team the space they need to deliver results and the environment to ensure they can enjoy doing it.

We are looking for highly motivated individuals who are excited to take on challenges and value making a difference in their day‑to‑day work. This is a unique opportunity to make a difference in the emerging Digital Pathology field.

The above Job Description reflects the requirements of this position at time of issue. As duties and responsibilities change and develop, this will be reviewed and may be subject to amendments.

Diagnexia is an equal opportunities employer and we are committed to the principle of equality. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, race, religious beliefs, political views, gender identity, affectional or sexual orientation, national origin, family or marital status (including pregnancy), disability, membership of the traveling community or any other classification protected by applicable law.

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