Medical Laboratory Assistant - Specimen Reception

Circle Hospital (Reading) Limited; Greater London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Private Pension Scheme

Private Healthcare Scheme

Friends & Family Hospital Discounts

Family Friendly policies

Life insurance

Staff wellbeing resources

Job summary

Circle Health Group's PureLab-UK in London seeks a Medical Laboratory Assistant to support the Specimen Reception team across two sites. The role is full-time, 37.5 hours per week, with a flexible shift pattern to cover a 24/7 service.

You will handle specimen reception, sign and process samples, enter data into LIMS, and work with senior staff to ensure accurate testing and quality standards. Applicants should have 1–2 years in histology or pathology, GCSEs including Maths/English/Science, and

Qualifications

• GCSEs including Maths, English and Science (Grade C/4 or above).
• A Levels or equivalent education/experience appropriate to the role.
• 1–2 years' experience in a Histology or Pathology lab environment.
• Knowledge of Health & Safety requirements within laboratory/healthcare settings.

Responsibilities

• Receive, check, identify and process patient specimens per SOPs and lab protocols.
• Undertake delegated technical activities under supervision of senior staff.
• Accurately enter and retrieve patient/specimen/test information in LIMS.
• Support routine maintenance, cleaning and monitoring of lab equipment.
• Work with QA systems and SOPs to maintain compliance and quality.

Skills

Histology workflows

Data entry

Attention to detail

Organisational skills

Health & safety awareness

Team collaboration

Education

GCSEs including Maths English Science

A Levels or equivalent

Tools

LIMS

Job description

Medical Laboratory Assistant PureLab-UK - London 37.5 Hours & Permanent Salary: Up to £33,000.00 per year (depending on level of experience, training and qualification)

PureLab-UK in Central London is part of Circle Health Group, Britain's leading provider of independent healthcare with a nationwide network of hospitals & clinics, performing more complex surgery than any other private healthcare provider in the country.

We have an opportunity for an Medical Laboratory Assistant to join their team of staff in the Specimen Reception department.

This is a full time role for 37.5 hours a week. The role holder will be required to cover a flexible shift pattern.

Purelab-UK is seeking a reliable and motivated Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) to support our Specimen Reception laboratory service.

This post requires cross-site working between our Stephenson Way and Cavendish Street laboratory locations in London. The successful candidate must be flexible and able to work across both sites as required to support service delivery.

The role includes participation in an extended shift system, including evening, weekend, and bank holiday working, in line with the operational requirements of a 24/7 laboratory service.

Duties of this role include:

• Receive, check, identify and process patient specimens in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and agreed laboratory protocols.
• Undertake delegated technical laboratory activities under the direction of appropriately qualified senior laboratory colleagues.
• Accurately enter and retrieve patient, specimen and test information using the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and other approved systems.
• Support the routine maintenance, cleaning and monitoring of laboratory equipment within the scope of the role.
• Work in accordance with the laboratory Quality Management System and all relevant SOPs, policies and procedures.
• Contribute to maintaining standards required by relevant accreditation and regulatory bodies, including UKAS ISO 15189 requirements where applicable.
• Work collaboratively with Medical Laboratory Assistants, Biomedical Scientists, Pathologists, laboratory managers and other healthcare professionals.
• Complete appropriate training and competency programmes before undertaking laboratory activities independently.
• Follow laboratory Health & Safety procedures and relevant legislation at all times.
• Maintain strict confidentiality regarding patient, colleague and commercially sensitive information.

Applicants should meet the following criteria:

• Minimum 1-2 years' experience working within a Histology or Pathology laboratory environment.
• Good understanding of Histology laboratory workflows and specimen handling procedures.
• 5 GCSEs at Grade C/4 or above, including Maths, English and Science, or equivalent qualifications.
• A Levels or equivalent education/experience appropriate to the role.
• An understanding of Health & Safety requirements within a laboratory, healthcare, scientific or similarly controlled environment.
• Ability and willingness to work safely with biological materials and patient specimens.
• Ability to follow written procedures, methodologies and protocols accurately.
• Excellent attention to detail with the ability to work precisely and accurately.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise workload effectively.
• Ability to maintain concentration for prolonged periods when undertaking detailed processing or data entry activities.

Salary & Benefits

Circle Health Group is committed to offering competitive starting salaries and access to a wide range of employee benefits, including:

• 25 days holiday per year + bank holidays, increasing to 30 days with service
• Private Pension Scheme
• Private Healthcare Scheme for treatment at our hospitals, covering pre-existing medical conditions
• Friends & Family Hospital Discounts
• Family Friendly policies, including enhanced Maternity, Paternity & Adoption pay
• Non-contributory life insurance
• Staff engagement hub with access to discounts and extensive rewards and voluntary benefits
• Access to resources, tools and services to support your wellbeing
• Employee recognition programmes
• Industry leading training and development opportunities …and much more!

Circle Health Group is committed to creating a diverse workforce offering inclusive opportunities for all our colleagues.

Our definition of diversity goes beyond the established characteristics protected by the Equality Act, as we strive to attract candidates with diverse experiences, backgrounds, identities or expressions, skills, work styles…and more.

We’re passionate about creating an environment where our people can thrive, grow and develop professionally and personally.

Our principles and values guide our colleagues to be selfless, compassionate, committed, collaborative, brave, agile, tenacious and creative and are at the core of our purpose and culture.

To find out more about the Circle Health Group Philosophy: https://careers.circlehealthgroup.co.uk/why-circle/our-philosophy

At Circle Health Group, we believe healthcare should be personal, accessible and outstanding. As the UK’s largest private hospital group, with over 50 locations nationwide, Circle Health Group bring world-class consultants, cutting edge facilities, and care without the wait.

Your health, your choice – we make it happen. We’re also passionate about out people. With private medical cover, flexible working hours, wellbeing support and career development opportunities, being just a few of the fantastic benefits on offer, we give our teams everything they need to thrive. Together, we’re shaping the future of healthcare