Medical Laboratory Assistant - Histopathology

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

Job summary

A leading NHS organization is seeking a Medical Laboratory Assistant for its Histopathology Department at Ipswich Hospital. The role involves sample reception, logging, and supporting technical staff in a busy laboratory environment. Candidates should have GCSE Maths and English and relevant healthcare science experience. The position offers training and development opportunities within a supportive team.

Benefits

Generous pension scheme

27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata)

Access to NHS discounts

Health and Wellbeing programme

Qualifications

• GCSE Maths and English required.
• Knowledge of Pathology IT systems and Quality Management Systems.
• Experience in a Biomedical Science laboratory or Histopathology.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine and non-routine histopathology activities under supervision.
• Maintain clinical records and demonstrate duties to new employees.
• Work flexibly to meet service needs, including extended hours.

Skills

Knowledge of Pathology IT systems

Knowledge of Quality Management Systems

Demonstrable knowledge of routine healthcare science duties

Education

GCSE Maths and English (A-C) or equivalent

NVQ level 3/diploma

Tools

European Computer Driving Licence or equivalent

Job description

Go back East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Medical Laboratory Assistant - Histopathology

The closing date is 28 May 2025

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated individual who is professional, reliable, innovative and flexible to join our friendly and hardworking team in our Histopathology Department at Ipswich Hospital as a Medical Laboratory Assistant.

You will be required to work a variety of shifts between 07:00 - 18:00 Monday - Friday and a Saturday morning on rotation to help support the technical staff to maintain a safe and effective service.

The role will involve sample reception for Histopathology. Checking that correct patient samples are received, samples are correct for testing, logging the samples and tests onto the laboratory computer system. Full training will be provided.

You will be required to work in a team environment, in a busy laboratory providing results to help in the treatment and diagnosis of our hospital and community patients.

About our Pathology Service https://youtu.be/FBrydUl_c5w

Our pathology department is part of the collaborative East Coast Pathology Network (see attached document)

Main duties of the job

• Performs a range of routine and non-routine histopathology healthcare science activities under supervision.
• Maintains clinical records in relation to activities carried out.
• Demonstrate own duties to new or less experienced employees.
• To work flexibly in reflection of service needs this may include an extended working day, and Saturday working.
• The work of the service brings staff into constant contact with human body fluids, tissues and hazardous chemicals. This may include blood, pus, urine, faeces, and respiratory secretions.
• Maintain and promote professional image of pathology department

About us

We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients' own homes

We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England, employing more than 12,000 staff

We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options

Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services

Our philosophy is that Time Matters to everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients

We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what's widely regarded as the world's best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients

If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you

Find out about living and working here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkPu7HphU8A

Job responsibilities

For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.

Person Specification

Education

• GCSE Maths and English (A-C) or equivalent

Knowledge and Experience

• Demonstrable knowledge of a range of routine and non-routine healthcare science duties equivalent to an NVQ level 3/diploma
• Practical experience of working in a Biomedical Science laboratory / Histopathology
• Knowledge of Pathology IT systems
• Knowledge of Quality Management Systems
• European Computer Driving Licence or equivalent

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

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust