Medical Laboratory Assistant | Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust; Maidstone; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Trust in Maidstone seeks a Medical Laboratory Assistant to support Biomedical Scientists in providing essential diagnostic services. The role involves receiving and processing various specimens, maintaining accuracy and professionalism in a busy laboratory environment. Candidates should demonstrate a genuine interest in healthcare and strong communication skills. Flexibility in working hours is required as shifts cover a 24/7 service. The Trust offers a supportive team and comprehensive training.

Benefits

At least 27 days annual leave

NHS Pension Scheme membership

Blue Light card eligibility

Qualifications

• Interest in healthcare is essential.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work accurately under pressure.
• Polite and professional communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Receive and process blood, serum, and other specimens.
• Handle telephone and face-to-face enquiries professionally.
• Perform essential analytical and clerical tasks.
• Maintain high levels of accuracy in a busy laboratory environment.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Team player

Proactivity

Ability to work under pressure

Job description

Join Our Blood Sciences Team!

Are you enthusiastic & eager to make a difference in healthcare? We are looking for motivated & dedicated individuals to join our friendly & supportive Blood Science team. This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone interested in healthcare, whether you're just starting or looking for a new direction. Full training will be provided.

As a Medical Laboratory Assistant, you will play a vital role in supporting our Biomedical Scientists in delivering high-quality diagnostic & therapeutic services.

Key Responsibilities

• Receiving & processing blood, serum, urine, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), & other specimens
• Handling telephone & face-to-face enquiries professionally
• Performing essential analytical, clerical, & administrative tasks
• Maintaining high levels of accuracy & professionalism under pressure
• Ensuring the smooth daily functioning of the Blood Sciences laboratory

You will work both under supervision & independently, contributing directly to patient care through timely & accurate laboratory support.

What We’re Looking For

• A genuine interest in healthcare
• Strong attention to detail & ability to work accurately under pressure
• Polite, professional, & confident communication skills
• A team player with a proactive and flexible approach

Working Hours and Shift Pattern

A flexible approach to working hours is essential, as the department provides a 24/7/365 service.

Shifts include:

• Early: 07:45 – 15:45
• Core Day: 09:00 – 17:30
• Early Late: 12:00 - 20:00
• Late: 13:15 – 21:15

Some weekend and bank holiday working is required as part of the rota.

Important Application Information

• Please ensure you read the job description and person specification carefully.
• Your supporting statement should clearly demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria and explain why you want to work for Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust.
• Applications will be assessed against the person specification.
• This post may attract a high number of applicants, and the closing date may be brought forward — we encourage early submission.

Interview and Assessment

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a face-to-face interview, which will include a practical data entry assessment to evaluate accuracy and attention to detail.

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second‑best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 NHS Staff Survey.

We are a large acute hospital trust in south‑east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.

Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day‑care beds, diagnostic services (X‑ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.

Looking for flexible working?

We are a flexible working‑friendly organisation. Whether it’s adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.

Click here to hear what our staff say.

Benefits Package

• At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro‑rata for part‑time staff).
• Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefits
• Blue Light card eligibility
• And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below

We’ve provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please take a moment to review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. Please also check your application for errors/omissions prior to submission.

Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check at Standard Level. (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children). If a role involves regulated activity and requires a DBS check with a barred list check, you cannot apply if you are on the barred list.

All successful applicants will be required to complete our corporate trust induction once a start date had been agreed.

Working for Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust/NKPS you will be part of the Kent and Medway Pathology Network (South 8 Network - Kent and Medway Pathology Network is made up of seven laboratories across three pathology services in four acute Trusts. For more information on the network please see the attached document

This advert closes on Monday 22 Dec 2025