Medical Laboratory Assistant - Histopathology

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust; Manchester; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A major NHS Trust is seeking a Medical Laboratory Assistant to provide scientific support services in Histopathology. The role involves assisting Biomedical Scientists and requires an NVQ level 3 or equivalent. Accuracy and attention to detail are crucial, along with the ability to follow specific protocols. This position offers a salary range of £24,937 to £26,598 per annum, pro rata. Join our exceptional healthcare team and contribute to quality patient care.

Qualifications

• Practical and theoretical knowledge of laboratory areas.
• Understanding of laboratory health and safety procedures.
• Experience with complex laboratory equipment.

Responsibilities

• Assist Biomedical Scientists in providing scientific services.
• Perform automated and manual techniques under supervision.
• Monitor and assist in the reporting of biomedical investigations.

Skills

Accuracy and attention to detail

Prioritisation and time management

Ability to follow SOPs

Manual dexterity

IT skills - LIMS, Quality management system

Education

NVQ level 3 or equivalent

GCSE grade C in English, Maths and one Science subject

Job description

Medical Laboratory Assistant – Histopathology

The closing date is 19 November 2025

The post holder will act as Medical Laboratory Assistant within Histopathology providing scientific support services to patients and customers.

The post holder will assist Biomedical Scientists and Consultant Pathologists in providing scientific services to patients and clients to aid pathological diagnosis.

They will assist in the organisation and monitoring of the work of the department, performing duties under direct and indirect supervision. An extensive range of automated, semi-automated and manual techniques are utilised to ensure appropriate testing contributing to the delivery of correct diagnostic material.

A high level of accuracy and attention to detail are essential skills for this post.

The post-holder will work within Histopathology at the Wythenshawe site and work areas will include specimen reception and dissection, the main laboratory, Immunohistochemistry and other specialist sections as required.

Main duties of the job

The Post holder will act as a Medical Laboratory Assistant assisting HCPC registered staff within the department.

The post holder will be based in Laboratory Medicine and work under both direct and indirect supervision within the Histopathology department.

Perform under indirect or direct supervision an extensive range of automated, semiautomated and manual techniques.

Undertake and assist in the reporting on biomedical investigations, utilising the appropriate testing to assist the Biomedical Scientists.

To perform a range of technical and scientific activities.

To assist in the monitoring, organisation and working of the department.

Accuracy and attention to detail is essential.

Ensure the service is safe and complies with current standards, clinical governance, health and safety and risk management policies.

About us

MFT is one of the largest NHS Trusts in England with a turnover of over £3bn & is on a different scale than most other NHS Trusts. We're creating an exceptional integrated health & social care system for the 1 million patients who rely on our services every year.

Bringing together 10 hospitals & community services from across Manchester, Trafford & beyond, we champion collaborative working & transformation, encouraging our 30,000 workforce to pursue their most ambitious goals. We set standards that other Trusts seek to emulate so you'll benefit from a scale of opportunity that is nothing short of extraordinary.

We've also created a digitally enabled organisation to improve clinical quality, patient & staff experience, operational effectiveness & driving research, and innovation through the introduction of Hive; our Electronic Patient Record system which launched in September 2022.

We're proud to be a major academic Research Centre & Education provider, providing you with a robust infrastructure to encourage and facilitate high-quality research programmes. What's more, we're excited to be embarking on our Green Plan which sets out how MFT continues to play its part in making healthcare more sustainable.

At MFT, we create and foster a culture of inclusion and belonging, provide equal opportunities for career development that are fair, open, and transparent, protecting your health and wellbeing and shaping the future of our organisation together.

Job responsibilities

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you’ll need, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading. So that you’re even more equipped to make an informed decision to apply to us, you’ll need to take time to read the Candidate Essentials Guide that sits with the Job Description and Person Specification. This document provides you with details about the Trust, our benefits and outlines how we care for you as you care for others. Most importantly, it also contains critical information you’ll need to be aware of before you submit an application form.

Diversity Matters

MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating, and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, email our team at [e-mail].

We're looking forward to hearing from you!

Person Specification

Qualifications

• NVQ level 3 or equivalent
• GCSE grade C or above in English, Maths and one Science subject, or relevant comparable qualifications or qualifications that supersede those of a GCSE

Knowledge

• Proven practical and theoretical knowledge of laboratory areas
• Aware of the need for data quality and protection, and confidentiality
• Basic knowledge of health & safety.

Training and Experience

• Evidence of training and development within a Cellular Pathology discipline.
• Understanding of Laboratory Health and Safety procedures.
• Evidence of using complex laboratory equipment
• Evidence of participation in laboratory Quality assurance.

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to demonstrate accuracy and attention to detail.
• Evidence of prioritisation and time management skills
• Can follow SOPs.
• Ability to perform specified tests to required quality standards.
• Has good hand to eye co-ordination, manual dexterity and can perform tasks with speed and accuracy.
• IT skills: use of laboratory LIMS, Quality management system, spreadsheets, data bases and word processing.

Attributes

• Can cope with busy, stressful periods.
• Flexible approach to working hours which vary according to Departmental needs.
• Can work at other sites.Evidence of working as part of a team

Employer name

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

£24,937 to £26,598 a year Per Annum, Pro Rata