Medical Laboratory Assistant - Microbiology

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust; Bournemouth; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust invites applications for a Medical Laboratory Assistant in Microbiology. The role is Band 2, full-time, 37.5 hours per week, based at Royal Bournemouth Hospital, with flexible working requirements and weekend rota inclusion.

The successful candidate will support Biomedical Scientists by handling samples, performing routine lab tasks, and maintaining a clean, safe laboratory environment within a fully computerised, UKAS-accredited microbiology

Qualifications

• Good general education, numerate and literate.
• A-levels or other suitable qualifications.
• Vocational NVQ2.

Responsibilities

• Receiving, checking, labeling, booking in and processing patient samples per procedures.
• Carry out routine laboratory procedures accurately after training.
• Monitor equipment and report non-conformances.
• Daily housekeeping: clean, decontaminate and keep areas tidy and safe.

Education

A-levels or equivalent qualifications

NVQ2

Job description

Medical Laboratory Assistant - Microbiology

Band 2

Main area Microbiology Grade Band 2 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Full Flexibility Required) Job ref 153-SP06708

Department name 01. UHD - General Recruitment Site Royal Bournemouth Hospital Town Bournemouth Salary £25,272 pa pr Salary period Yearly Closing 22/09/2026 23:59 Interview date 01/10/2026

As University Hospitals Dorset we are a three site acute trust with ‘university hospital’ status through our partnership with Bournemouth University, working with an annual budget of £730m.

We offer highly regarded health services, employing some 10,000 staff. Our ambitious £500m transformation programme is well on the way to delivering state-of-the-art facilities over the next two years to meet the current and future healthcare needs of the populations we serve.

In an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with over seven miles of sandy beaches you’ll find inspirational opportunities to achieve your perfect work/life balance. With the New Forest and the Purbecks on our doorstep, we’re also less than three hours from London by road or train. The thriving towns of Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch give way to idyllic villages and unspoilt landscapes just minutes from our hospitals.

We believe that having a diverse workforce, and allowing people to be themselves, is essential in ensuring we offer an inclusive, welcoming and productive place to work.

We especially welcome applications from minority groups in the community who may be underrepresented in our workforce.

At UHD our active staff network groups are the Women's Network, Black Asian Minority Ethnic Group (BAME), Pride Network, European (EU), Pro Ability Staff Network, and the Armed Forces Support Group.

As a Trust we are proudly signed up to the Disability Confident and Armed Forces Covenant guaranteed interview schemes.

We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support the preparation of their application. While this is not discouraged, we kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of your own experience and suitability. Personal integrity is an important part of the recruitment process.

Job overview

An opportunity has arisen for a Medical Laboratory Assistant to join the Microbiology department at University Hospitals Dorset.

The Microbiology laboratory is well-equipped, fully computerised, holds UKAS accreditation and is approved for training. We currently offer diagnostic microbiology to The Royal Bournemouth Hospital, Poole Hospital and general practices. The laboratory routinely handles in excess of 250,000 specimens per year.

The successful candidate will be part of the microbiology team providing a diagnostic medical microbiology service contributing to the clinical care of patients and control of infectious diseases within the hospital and community, by providing support to the Biomedical Scientists and other staff. As such this post will be a varied and interesting role that will require an adaptable and flexible working ethic. All training will be provided to the candidate who will then backfill for staff leave between the sections.

This is an exciting time to join the pathology team in Dorset as we are in the process of reconfiguring the services across the county.

Working hours are 37.5 hours per week, which includes participation in a weekend rota.

Base Location: Royal Bournemouth Hospital

Interview Date: 1st October 2026

**This post may close early due to high numbers of applications, so you are advised to apply promptly. *

Main duties of the job

The main duties of the role include receiving, checking, labelling, booking in and processing patient samples in line with departmental procedures. Following training, the post holder will carry out a range of routine laboratory procedures accurately and efficiently, receive and record incoming goods, monitor equipment and report any non-conformances. They will also carry out daily housekeeping duties, including cleaning and decontaminating equipment and keeping laboratory work areas clean, tidy and safe.

Working for our organisation

Our values define who we are as #TeamUHD. They underpin everything we do now and in the future. They define how we treat our patients, visitors, and each other, our valued teammates and colleagues.

UHD are investing in services across the Trust, with many being transformed and developed following merger and the New Hospital Programme.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To understand the role in more detail please read the full job description and person specification documents which are attached to this advert.

AI tools can be used to help you structure and check your application, but they should not replace your own examples and experience. Applications that appear to have been generated entirely by AI and do not clearly demonstrate your suitability for the role will not be considered.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Good general education, numerate & literate, A-levels or other suitable qualifications
• Vocational NVQ2

Personal attributes

• Ability to concentrate for long periods at technically demanding procedures
• Ability to use initiative.

Technical Skills

• Ability to dealing with telephone calls politely and professionally
• Ability to follow detailed and complex protocol
• Ability to work effectively as part of the laboratory team
• High degree of accuracy in all work
• Ability to work under pressure in a busy environment.

Experience

• Experience of work in a laboratory or hospital environment

Please note:

Staff recruited are expected to be available to work flexibly across all our Trust locations to meet service demands.

This advert may be closed early if sufficient applications are received.

COVID-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself and our patients from the virus when working in our healthcare settings. Whilst this vaccination is not a condition of employment we do encourage our staff to get vaccinated.

Internal Candidates: staff employed prior to merger who voluntarily change jobs will be appointed to UHD terms and conditions.