Medical Laboratory Assistant - Microbiology

Transformation Unit; Lancashire; Hybrid; GBP 15,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's Microbiology department is recruiting a Medical Laboratory Assistant (Band 2) in Blackpool. Based in Microbiology, you will support specimen processing and contribute to a 24/7 service, working across shifts including weekends and bank holidays.

Training is provided, and you will join a friendly team committed to high-quality patient care. This is a 37.5-hour-per-week, permanent post with contracted duties and a focus on accuracy, safety, and

Qualifications

• Experience working in a team environment
• Basic IT skills and familiarity with standard computer systems
• Understanding of health and safety in a laboratory setting
• Confidential handling of patient information and data
• Previous or current laboratory experience is desirable

Responsibilities

• Receive, label, book in and prepare clinical samples (e.g., Blood Cultures, Urines, Faeces)
• Support Internal Quality Control and Quality Assurance procedures
• Ensure safe disposal of waste and sharps according to SOPs
• Monitor temperatures of fridges/incubators at start of each day
• Maintain stock within date and assist with stock rotation
• Accurate data entry and result processing in lab systems
• Respond to routine inquiries without interpretation of results
• Work independently and as part of a team to prioritise tasks during staffing pressures
• Engage in continual professional development activities
• Assist with equipment maintenance and cleaning

Skills

Teamwork

Basic IT skills

Health & safety awareness

Confidentiality

Laboratory experience

Education

GCSE standard or equivalent

NVQ2 Clinical Support

ECDL or equivalent IT qualification

Job description

Main area Pathology - Microbiology Grade Band 2 Contract Permanent: Rostered Sat, Sunday and BH working Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Rostered Sat, Sun and bank holidays) Job ref 438-PB4870

Employer Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Blackpool Teaching Hospitals Town Blackpool Salary £25,272 per annum , pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 14/10/2026 23:59

Medical Laboratory Assistant - Microbiology

Band 2

Job overview

Based in Microbiology at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals

Do bacteria and viruses excite you rather than repulse you? Have you ever wondered what MRSA looks like or what a fungal infection looks like under a microscope? If the answer is yes, then our friendly Microbiology team is the place for you!

In Microbiology we process a variety of patient specimens; growing organisms to diagnose infection and treat our patients quickly and efficiently. The environment is fast paced where no two days are the same.

We offer an exciting opportunity to join our close-knit Microbiology family. The environment is busy – but you will embrace this and enjoy the challenge of working to tight turnaround times and targets. You will go home after your working day and know you have made a positive difference to patients we deal with.

You will be supported in becoming fully competent in all our testing methods by our dedicated team who are extremely hard working but have fun along the way.

As with the majority of healthcare we run a 24/7 service, and have a shift system to cover out of hours working including nights, weekends and bank holidays

Our team is small, friendly and looking forward to welcoming you!

Please note that this vacancy may close earlier than the advertised closing date if a high volume of applications is received.

Main duties of the job

You will be working in a UKAS accredited medical laboratory – working to a high standard which is evident in the quality service we give to our patients, and ensuring the diagnosis and treatment they require.

Experience is not necessary as training is provided in all areas and your work day will vary, which is an attractive feature of the job role! From receiving specimens, to booking them on via the laboratory computer systems and processing them; this role will keep you interested and stimulated throughout the day.

You play an essential role in excellent patient care, assisting Biomedical Scientists, who identify infectious organisms and determine the best treatment.

Teamwork is important but the ability to work independently and use your initiative is a desirable attribute.

Working for our organisation

We have 10,000 fantastic people working hard to deliver quality services to our patients. Whatever your role, you help look after 370,000 people in our local area & give specialist care to 1.5 million people across Lancashire & Cumbria.

Working with us gives you the knowledge and sense of pride that every activity you do genuinely does make a difference to support our patients & staff, ensuring we keep thriving & delivering outstanding healthcare right across our local towns.

You’ll have access to varied development opportunities, learn new skills, meet fab people & do things you’d never have done. You’ll learn about working in a hospital, interacting with people from all different roles to build skills & enhance your career path.

You’ll make an impact, be challenged to think differently, be bold & help innovate to keep improving things. Everything we do centres around patient care which means your role is pivotal and something really to be proud of.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Duties to include but not be limited to:

• To receive, label, book in and prepare clinical samples: Blood Cultures, Urines, Faeces, Wound/Respiratory/Genital/MRSA screen swabs, Sputums, Tissues, Sterile/Non-sterile fluids according to department Standard Operating Procedures.
• To take part in Internal Quality Control and Internal Quality Assurance procedures related to culture media, laboratory instruments and reagents following Standard Operating Procedures.
• To ensure the correct disposal of clinical/non-clinical waste and sharps according to defined protocols including autoclaving.
• Temperature monitoring of fridges/incubators throughout the laboratory autonomously at the beginning of each day.
• Ensuring that laboratory in use stock is within date and taking part within stock disposal/rotation processes.
• To provide accurate data entry and text/data processing using the computer/data base systems.
• Responding to telephone enquires where no interpretation of results is required.
• Working autonomously and as a team where concentration is required for long periods of time.
• Effective prioritisation of tasks especially during periods of under-staffing.
• All staff are encouraged to take part in continual professional development activities.
• To undertake routine tasks in the preparation of equipment maintenance and cleaning.
• To perform duties in accordance with Trust and Directorate Health and Safety at Work Polices.
• To ensure safe handling of hazardous and infective materials according to defined protocols.
• To ensure equipment is used safely and according to manufacturer’s guidelines and faults and breakdowns are reported to senior staff.
• To ensure that a high standard of care and service is maintained to patients, members of staff and the general public in accordance with Directorate Polices.

NOTE: When completing your application please ensure your supporting information is aligned to the essential and desirable criteria required for this role.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Educated to GCSE standard, or equivalent
• NVQ2 Clinical Support
• ECDL or equivalent IT qualification

Knowledge and attributes

• Experience of working with others in a team
• Basic IT skills
• General appreciation of the importance of Health & Safety issues
• Understands the need for confidentiality
• Previous Laboratory Experience

Thanks for taking the time to view this advert; we’re looking forward to receiving your application. You should be aware that the vacancy may close earlier than the published date if sufficient applications are received so it would be best to apply as soon as you can. We’ll contact you by e‑mail to update you on the progress of your application so please check the e‑mail account that you applied from (including spam/junk) regularly.

We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of race, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership, neurodiversity or veteran status are encouraged to apply for this post. Our Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders is available Here

To support you in your application process we’ve created a What we can offer you guide that shows what you can expect when you join our hospitals. The guide includes links to our strategic aims and objectives as well as our values, development support and rewards and benefits. To help you get the best from your application we’ve also put together two guides to help you make your application the best it can be. Just click here and here to go through them, or have them open as you complete your application.

We recognise that the recruitment process may present barriers for some and you may need personal adjustments to enable you to participate in our recruitment process. Please make contact with the recruitment team at the earliest opportunity to ensure that measures can be put in place to enable your application for this post.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) when writing job applications

If you choose to use AI or other tools to assist in writing your application, it's essential to personalise this information, particularly your supporting information section. While AI can help streamline the writing process, these tools cannot fully grasp the context or requirements of the job you’re applying for. There is also a risk that it can generate false or misleading information.

AI-generated job applications can often be generic, impersonal and may not accurately reflect your qualifications, knowledge, skills, and experiences. It is crucial that you personalise your supporting statement by articulating these in your unique voice. Relying solely on AI to write your application or supporting information section is not advocated by Lancashire Teaching Hospitals and could negatively impact your chances of success in the application process.

We have added a disclaimer to our application process advising that the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.

Supporting Information

The supporting information section is an opportunity for you to showcase how your qualifications, knowledge, skill and experiences align with the requirements and criteria outlined in the job description and person.

Our recruiting managers score applications based on the criteria listed in the person specification. They will be looking for evidence of how you meet these criteria. To increase your chances of securing an interview, provide examples of how you have applied your skills and knowledge in real-life situations. Share work-related successes and challenges you’ve navigated that align with the criteria. These could be from various aspects of your life, including work, education, and personal experiences.

Consider structuring your supporting information section with clear headings or bullet points. This approach will help both you and the recruiting manager navigate through your application more effectively.

Working Smarter pledge

We are reminded everyday of how important life is, so as part of our Working Smarter pledge we offer a variety of flexible working options and wellbeing support to enable our people to find and maintain the right work-life balance.

Secondments

If you are applying for a secondment role please ensure you have agreement from your current line manager prior to attending an interview. Also please ensure you have read the LTHTR Secondment Policy. A copy of this can be found on the intranet or by contacting [e-mail]

Please note a young person must be in part-time education or training until they’re 18. therefore if you are under 18 we are unable to employ you on a full time basis, unless it is in an apprenticeship role.

Disclosure and Barring Service checks

If the role you’ve applied for requires a Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check we will administer this on your behalf and the cost will be recovered from your salary, either as a one-off payment, or over 3 months. The level of check required depends on the role that you have been offered. Currently the charges are - Basic DBS check £26.40 Standard DBS check £26.40 and Enhanced DBS check £54.40. You should be aware that if you are successful in obtaining a position that requires a DBS check but later withdraw your application, you may be required to reimburse the cost of the DBS check. DBS checks remain free of charge for volunteer positions. The DBS Code of Practice can be accessed here .

In line with guidance from United Kingdom Health Security Agency, all staff and volunteers are required to comply with Trust Infection Prevention and Control processes in relation to safe working. This includes mask wearing and adherence to social distancing at all Trust sites.

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We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Name Paul Regan Job title Senior Biomedical Scientist Email address [e-mail] Telephone number 01253 954388

An advert can only contain so many words – but we are available to answer any questions you may have regarding the role before you apply. You can contact Paul on 01253954388 or any of the senior team by calling 01253956951