Medical Laboratory Assistant - Labs

NHS National Services Scotland; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days annual leave

NHS Pension Scheme

Cycle to Work Scheme

Learning and development opportunities

Salary Sacrifice Car Benefit Scheme

Flexible working options

Job summary

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is one of the largest healthcare systems in the United Kingdom, employing about 40,000 staff and delivering services across acute hospital, primary care, community and mental health sectors. This role is based at Glasgow Royal Infirmary in the Biochemistry – North Sector, with 36 hours per week across day, back shifts and weekend mornings.

You will handle pre-analytical sample preparation, ensure accurate data entry on the Laboratory Information System,

Qualifications

• Three Highers at Grade C or above, including Chemistry or Biology together with Mathematics; or SVQ Level 3; or Completion of a modern apprenticeship in life sciences; or Completion of equivalent accredited education or learning.

Responsibilities

• Pre-analytical preparation and processing of samples, ensuring patient information is accurately registered on the Laboratory Information System or other manual systems.
• Maintain accurate sample identification and documentation, ensure specimens are stored safely and clinical and confidential waste is disposed of appropriately, and respond to telephone enquiries from other departments and external sources.
• Provide assistance to Biomedical Scientists and support the effective operation of the sample reception area to ensure the smooth delivery of the laboratory service.

Education

Three Highers at Grade C or above including Chemistry or Biology plus Mathematics

SVQ Level 3

Modern apprenticeship in life sciences

Equivalent accredited education or learning

Job description

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is one of the largest healthcare systems in the United Kingdom, employing approximately 40,000 staff across a wide range of clinical and non-clinical professions and roles. We deliver acute hospital, primary, community and mental health services to a population of over 1.15 million people, and to a wider population of 2.2 million when regional and national services are included.

The role:

Medical Laboratory Assistant – Biochemistry, North Sector. You will carry out pre-analytical preparation of samples for analysis, with the effective operation of the sample reception area being essential to the smooth running of the department.

You will be responsible for processing samples, registering patient-related information onto the Laboratory Information System or other manual systems, and ensuring the accuracy of sample identification and documentation.

You will also ensure the safe storage of specimens and the appropriate disposal of clinical and confidential waste, deal with telephone calls from other departments and external sources, and provide assistance to Biomedical Scientists to support the smooth delivery of the laboratory service.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) may be able to provide visa sponsorship for certain roles, subject to the post meeting the relevant eligibility criteria. Sponsorship is not guaranteed and will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis following interview and during the pre‑employment verification process. Applicants must state their current right to work in their application.

Duration, Location, and Working Pattern:

• Permanent
• Base: Glasgow Royal Infirmary
• Department/Service: Laboratories.
• Unit/Team: Biochemistry – North Sector.
• Hours: 36 hours per week.
• Shift pattern: Day shifts, back shifts and weekend mornings.

Key responsibilities:

You will be responsible for the pre‑analytical preparation and processing of samples, ensuring patient‑related information is accurately registered on the Laboratory Information System or other manual systems.

You will maintain accurate sample identification and documentation, ensure specimens are stored safely and clinical and confidential waste is disposed of appropriately, and respond to telephone enquiries from other departments and external sources. You will also provide assistance to Biomedical Scientists and support the effective operation of the sample reception area to ensure the smooth delivery of the laboratory service.

Knowledge, training, qualifications and/or experience required to do the job:

• Three Highers at Grade C or above, including either Chemistry or Biology together with Mathematics; or
• SVQ Level 3; or
• Completion of a modern apprenticeship in life sciences; or
• Completion of equivalent accredited education or learning.

What we offer:

We offer a wide range of supportive policies designed to enhance your employee journey, including a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, Cycle to Work Scheme, bursary scheme and extensive learning and development opportunities.

As an NHS Scotland employee, you will be entitled to:

• A minimum of 27 days annual leave, increasing with length of service, plus public holidays
• Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme, including life insurance benefits
• Salary Sacrifice Car Benefit Scheme
• Development opportunities including study bursaries, e-learning and classroom‑based courses
• Enhanced pay for working public holidays
• NHS discounts on a wide range of goods and services
• Confidential employee support and assistance, including counselling and psychological therapies

This post may require a satisfactory PVG Scheme record check.

• Show us the real you: Your application should reflect your skills, experience, and motivations authentically.
• Use AI wisely: It’s fine to use AI for ideas or to check spelling and grammar, but don’t let it write your answers.
• Why this matters: Applications that rely on AI‑generated content may be withdrawn. By applying, you confirm your responses are based on your own knowledge and achievements.

Tip: Think of AI as a helper, not a substitute. We want to understand you, not an AI tool.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) recognises the importance of work‑life balance and is committed to offering a range of flexible working options where service needs allow. For roles where less than full‑time hours can be accommodated, and where the tenure is listed as “various”, we encourage applications from individuals seeking flexible working arrangements. Flexible working will be included as a topic for discussion during the recruitment process.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde encourages applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion and are proud of the diverse workforce we employ.

By signing the Armed Forces Covenant, NHSGGC has pledged its commitment to being a Forces Friendly Employer. We welcome applications from across the Armed Forces Community and recognise military skills, experience and qualifications throughout the recruitment and selection process.