Medical Laboratory Assistant - Microbiology

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust; Aylesbury; Hybrid; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust seeks a Medical Laboratory Assistant (Band 2) in Microbiology/Serology at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Stoke Mandeville. The role is 37.5 hours per week, with early/late shifts and weekend rotas.

No formal qualifications needed beyond science background; computer skills and a flair for science are advantageous. We offer flexible working options and a supportive NHS environment.

Qualifications

• Good written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Methodical approach to tasks with attention to details.
• Strong data entry skills using a computer.
• Previous experience in a laboratory or healthcare environment.

Responsibilities

• Assist and support qualified Biomedical Scientists with specimen analysis.
• Rotate through laboratory areas, including reception and processing, adhering to health and safety standards.
• Participate in weekend rotas and shift coverage as required.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Data entry

Healthcare experience

Education

GCSE science C or above

Job description

Medical Laboratory Assistant - Microbiology

Band 2

Main area Microbiology Grade Band 2 Contract Permanent Hours

• Full time
• Part time
• Job share
• Flexible working

37.5 hours per week (Includes some evening and weekend working.) Job ref 434-SCS8352984

Site Stoke Mandeville Hospital Town Aylesbury Salary £25,272 per annum (pro rata for part time) Salary period Yearly Closing 03/11/2026 23:59

Be part of our BHT family

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust (BHT) is an integrated provider of acute hospital and community services for people living in Buckinghamshire and the surrounding area.

We care for over half a million patients every year:

• Provide specialist spinal services at our world renowned National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, the birthplace of the Paralympics
• Nationally recognised for urology and skin cancer services
• Regional specialist centre for burns, plastic surgery, dermatology, stroke and cardiac services
• Deliver community services in health centres, schools, patients’ own homes, community hospitals and community hubs.

More than 6,500 people from different nations, cultures and backgrounds work for us.

We would be happy to discuss possible flexible working options. We strive to be a family friendly, inclusive employer.

If you require any assistance in making this application, please contact [e-mail] or phone [phone].

We pride ourselves in being a great place to work and invite you to join our BHT family.

Job overview

The post is for a Band 2 Medical Laboratory Assistant working in the Microbiology/ Serology Department at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. This post is full time 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday working early and late rota to cover an extended day (8 am to 8 pm). The role also involves taking part in the Saturday & Sunday rotas.

We are looking for an enthusiastic person who has an interest in science.
This post offers you the opportunity to join our busy and friendly department. You will be expected to work in all areas of the laboratory on a rotational basis undertaking a variety of basic laboratory tasks. Applicants do not need specific qualifications although a background knowledge of science is useful, as is computer experience.

Main duties of the job

You will help and support the qualified Biomedical Scientists who undertake specimen analysis.

The successful candidate will be expected to rotate throughout the laboratory covering different areas as required including specimen reception, processing samples, dealing with laboratory waste and answering telephone queries whilst at all times ensuring high standards of health and safety and quality.

The Microbiology/ Serology Department at Stoke Mandeville is a busy but friendly department. You will be working with other MLAs under the guidance of Biomedical Scientists. After a suitable period of induction and training, you will be expected to work shifts to cover early mornings, lates and weekends.

The laboratory maintains high standards of health and safety and quality and full training in all aspects of the role is given.

What does Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust offer you?

• As part of our BHT family, you’ll benefit from learning and development opportunities to support your career progression.
• We offer flexible and agile workingopportunities,alongside your NHS benefits ofgenerous annual leave entitlement, pension andaccess toNHS discount schemes.
• We provide a range of health and wellbeing services to promote a healthy, happy workforce.

Why work for us?

• We’re committed to promoting inclusion and making sure all colleagues feel they belong. We encourage new colleagues from a diverse range of backgrounds to apply.
• As an employer, we aim to create a workplace where differences are valued and colleagues treat one another with dignity and respect.
• Greater diversity withinourBHT familyimprovespositive outcomes for the people and communities we serve.
• A keen supporter of the Armed Forces Community who know the value of employing a service leaver/veteran and their families.

What do we stand for?

• Our vision is to provide outstanding care, support healthy communities and be a great place to work.
• Our mission is to provide personal and compassionate care every time.
• Our care values are collaborate, aspire, respect and enable.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For a comprehensive list of responsibilities and duties, please kindly refer to the Job Description and Person Specification by downloading the JD and PS attachment in the advert.

If you are an internal applicant there is the option for secondment, all applicants must have the endorsement/support of their line manager prior to application.

If you have a disability that makes submitting this online application difficult and would like assistance, please contact us on [e-mail] quoting the vacancy reference number.

Person specification

Skills, Abilities & Knowledge

• Good written and verbal communication skills in English to enable liaison with members of the public and hospital staff and to ensure accurate recording of specimens
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Methodical approach to tasks with attention to details

Special Circumstances

• Must be flexible with working hours e.g able to work some weekends, bank holidays
• Living within 30 miles of Stoke Mandeville Hospital

Experience

• Strong previous experience of data input using a computer.
• Previous experience in a laboratory or healthcare environment

Education, Qualifications & Training

• 1 GCSE grade C or above (or equivalent) in a science subject.

PPE requirements: Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust requires all colleagues to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with our infection prevention and control procedures.

Flu vaccinations remain the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course our patients from the viruses when working in our healthcare settings. We encourage our staff to be vaccinated when recommended.

Application deadline: This post will close on the closing date stated at midnight, however if we receive a large number of applications or there is a change in circumstance, we may be required to close a job before the advertised date.

Contacting you: We will contact candidates through the email address supplied on their application form. Please make sure you check this regularly.

Application information: If you are offered a job, information will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records (ESR) system.

Shortlisting: The monitoring and safeguarding sections are not made visible to the shortlisting panel. The safeguarding section may be made visible to the interview panel, dependent on the role being recruited into.

Travel expenses: It is Trust policy that travel expenses for interviews will not be reimbursed.

Smoking: All Trust sites are NO SMOKING. Smoking in all areas of the buildings and premises is prohibited.