Medical Laboratory Assistant - Specimen reception

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Blackburn; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Blackburn is seeking a Medical Laboratory Assistant (Band 3) to support the Blood Sciences specimen reception. You will process samples, check documentation, and work as part of a team on a 24/7 shift rota, including nights and weekends.

The role requires basic keyboard/data entry skills and prior experience in a pathology setting or willingness to develop NVQ Level 3.

Qualifications

• NVQ3 or equivalent (Clinical Laboratory support) or similar level knowledge.
• Two A-Levels including a Science subject.
• Willingness to work on a 24/7 shift rota, including nights, weekends and bank holidays.

Responsibilities

• Prepare patient samples and requests for analysis under supervision.
• Input data into the Laboratory Information System accurately.
• Assist with reception and preparation of urgent samples for analysis.
• Replenish stocks and prepare basic reagents as trained.
• Maintain high accuracy under time pressures and work as part of a team.

Skills

Keyboard skills

Data input

Communication

Teamwork

English proficiency

Education

NVQ3 or equivalent (Clinical Laboratory support)

Two A-Levels including a Science subject

Job description

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Medical Laboratory Assistant - Specimen reception

Band 3

Main area Pathology Specimen Reception Grade Band 3 Contract Permanent: Hours will include lates, nights and weekend working on a rota pattern Hours 37.5 hours per week (Full time on 24/7 shift pattern, also including long nights and long weekends) Job ref 438-PB4254-A

Site RBTH Town Blackburn Salary £25,760 - £27,476 Per Annum, Pro Rata Salary period Yearly Closing 02/10/2026 23:59

Job overview

Please note this role requires participation on a 24 hour shift rota covering nights, late shifts and weekend and Bank Holidays

Based within Blood Sciences, you will be working mainly in specimen reception processing samples received from the Hospitals and General Practitioners. This is an area which can be very busy and requires precise working, under time pressures.

Keyboard skills and experience of data input would be a particular advantage, as would previous working in a Pathology lab.

Main duties of the job

Work as part of a team supporting and supervised by an Health and Care Professions Council registered Biomedical Scientist. Preparing patient samples and requests for analysis, and carrying out basic laboratory duties.

• The Blood Sciences Department is a demand led service, processing over 4000 patient samples every weekday.
• The workflow is unpredictable such that there are significant peaks and troughs throughout the day in the number of samples arriving for processing.
• This requires a high level of tolerance to repetitive work. The need to maintain high levels of accuracy and attention to detail throughout prolonged periods of concentration are required.
• In sample processing, MLA’s must work to deadlines to assist in achieving defined analysis turnaround times to provide an effective clinical service to wards, departments and GP surgeries and a fast response service to the emergency departments.

Working for our organisation

We have a tight knit team in Specimen Reception. Your role will include participation of the 24 hour shift rota, and include long nights, long weekend days and Bank Holidays.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Collection of patients’ samples and forms from Pathology delivery point and from wards and departments.
• Check documentation and assess suitability of samples.
• To provide the first point of contact for Blood Sciences Department for other Trust and PCT staff.
• Using agreed procedures as defined in Standard Operating Procedures, to prepare samples, for analysis and distribution to sections of the department. Including numbering samples and forms, centrifugation of samples. All samples are potentially infectious and proportions are unpleasant in nature. Universal precautions are required to prevent cross infection from all samples.
• Assessment of centrifuged samples for suitability for analysis.
• Prioritisation of samples for analysis.
• Accurate input of patient details into the Laboratory Information System for each specimen received. Resolving issues of incorrect patient details by contact with medical staff on wards, clinics, and accessing external databases of patient information.
• Reception and preparation of urgent samples for analysis, including demographic input into Laboratory Information system.
• Responding to general service and patient result enquiries in person and by telephone.
• Retrieval of authorised results and offering basic technical advice to other Trust and PCT staff.
• Replenishment of stocks of consumables and reagents within Blood Sciences from Laboratory stores areas.
• Preparation of basic reagents as defined in Standard Operating Procedures under supervision of a Biomedical Scientist. This can involve hazardous chemicals.
• Preparation of specimen containers for distribution to wards and departments.
• General housekeeping duties as defined in Standard Operating Procedures including disinfection and decontamination of surfaces and equipment such as centrifuges, water baths, blood fridges and specimen freezers.
• When required loading of samples onto automated complex analytical equipment, and after training, some manual preparations requiring a higher level of manual skills.

Qualifications

• Working or willing to work towards NVQ qualifications (Clinical Laboratory support) or has NVQ3 or equivalent level of knowledge.
• 2 A-Levels including a Science subject

Other

• Able to work on a 24hr 7 day shift rota and provide reasonable flexibility

Knowledge and Skills

• Able to speak and write English to a good standard
• Clear and accurate written and verbal communication
• Able to manage priorities under pressure, often repetitive jobs.
• Able to use a computer keyboard to an effective standard
• Able to understand and comply with detailed procedures
• Able to work well in a team and to be supportive of team members

Experience

• Able to cope in a busy environment
• Experience of working in Pathology
• Data inputting experience

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

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.

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Supporting Information

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Secondments

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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 .

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