Medical Laboratory Assistant - Histopathology | East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS organization is seeking a Medical Laboratory Assistant at Ipswich Hospital. This role involves supporting technical staff in the Histopathology Department, performing various laboratory tasks and maintaining clinical records. The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic, professional, and flexible, with a commitment to patient care. A generous benefits package and flexible working options are offered.

Benefits

Generous pension scheme

27 days annual leave

Access to NHS discounts

Qualifications

• Enthusiastic and motivated individual with a professional and flexible approach.
• Ability to work in a team environment and manage various shifts.

Responsibilities

• Performs routine and non-routine histopathology activities under supervision.
• Maintains clinical records related to the activities carried out.
• Demonstrates duties to new or less experienced employees.
• Works flexibly to meet service needs, including extended hours.

Job description

Overview

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, that samples are correct for testing, and 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.

Responsibilities

• 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 contact with human body fluids, tissues and hazardous chemicals, including blood, pus, urine, faeces, and respiratory secretions.
• Maintain and promote professional image of pathology department.

About ESNEFT

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.

What we offer

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 offers 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.

Digital transformation

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.

Eligibility

Please note this position is not eligible for a Health and Social Care Visa and does not meet the requirements for sponsorship for a Skilled Worker visa.

Next steps

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. For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description. This advert closes on Tuesday 11 Nov 2025.