Medical Laboratory Assistant - Specimen Reception

NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional hospital group in Liverpool is seeking a motivated Multi-discipline Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) Band 3. The MLA will be responsible for various laboratory procedures and will work on a full-time, permanent basis. Previous laboratory experience is required, along with good communication skills and the ability to work in teams. The salary ranges from £24,937 to £26,598 annually.

Benefits

Excellent training and development opportunities

Participation in a supportive team environment

Qualifications

• Numerate and literate to GCSE level in English and Mathematics.
• Experience in a clinical laboratory is desirable.
• Demonstrable computer literacy with data entry experience.

Responsibilities

• Participate in 24/7 shift work across all LCL sites.
• Maintain high standards during laboratory procedures.
• Input patient demographics into Laboratory Information System.

Skills

Communication

Attention to detail

Ability to work in teams

Education

GCSE in English and Mathematics

Tools

Laboratory equipment

Job description

Job Summary

We are looking to recruit a motivated and reliable Multi-discipline Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) Band 3, with good standard of education and communication skills, to work as part of a team in the LCL Central Specimen Reception. The MLA will participate in 24/7 shift work across all LCL sites. Previous laboratory and Specimen Reception experience is essential.

Liverpool Clinical Laboratories (LCL) is the largest provider of pathology services in the Northwest. Our vision is to pioneer new technologies and ways of working that better inform decisions about a person\'s health, by providing greater accessibility to clinical diagnostic services. We\'re looking for people who see opportunities, share your skills and explore the potential and recognise that behind every sample is a real person.

If you\'re someone who inspires those around you and is a true \"team player\", we want to hear from you. We offer excellent training and development opportunities for all disciplines.

Main duties of the job

• Maintain a high standard of multidisciplinary work when carrying out laboratory procedures.
• Receive, sort and distribute samples to relevant laboratories departments using manual, semi-automated and automated techniques and equipment.
• Input of patient demographics onto Laboratory Information System, including blood sciences, virology, immunology and microbiology samples.
• Liaise with other laboratory departments to problem solve and process samples in a timely manner.
• Maintain 100% record in Mandatory Training and read and acknowledge all documents through the Quality Management System.
• Coordinate and provide training for new MLA staff. Ensure that all relevant departmental training logs are completed.
• The post holder will also maintain analytical equipment in optimal operational condition.
• Adhere to all H&S, COSHH, and Laboratory protocols.

About Us

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust comprises Aintree University Hospital, Broadgreen Hospital & Royal Liverpool University Hospital. We are part of NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, formed on 1 Nov 2024 from the coming together of LUHFT and Liverpool Women\'s NHS Foundation Trust. The Group was born from a shared aim to improve the care we provide our patients. UHLG is one of the largest employers in the region, with over 16,800 colleagues dedicated to caring for our communities - from birth and beyond. For the 630,000 people across Merseyside, we are their local NHS. We provide general and emergency hospital care, alongside highly specialised regional services for more than two million people in the North West.

Aintree University Hospital is the single receiving site for adult major trauma patients in Cheshire and Merseyside and hosts a number of regional services including an award-winning stroke facility. Broadgreen Hospital is home to elective surgical, diagnostic and treatment services, together with specialist patient rehabilitation. Liverpool Women\'s Hospital specialises in the health of women and babies, delivering over 7,200 babies in the UK\'s largest single site maternity hospital each year. The Royal Liverpool University Hospital is the largest hospital in the country to provide inpatients with 100% single bedrooms and focuses on complex planned care and specialist services.

For roles at Liverpool Women\'s, visit their careers page.

Details

Date posted: 07 October 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 3

Salary: £24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: 287-DTC-47-25

Job locations: Liverpool Clinical Laboratories, Liverpool, L7 8YE

Job Description

Job responsibilities

Please see JD & Person Specification for full details.

Key Responsibilities

• The primary receipt and preparation of potentially hazardous patient specimens.
• Assess the suitability and appropriateness of samples received, liaising with all grades of staff as necessary.
• Use of LIMS to enter patient and sample demographics accurately and efficiently.
• Undertake the reception, accurate identification, labelling and demographic input of patient requests in line with departmental procedures and turnaround times.
• Identify urgent and priority requests and processing them in a timely manner.
• Ensure that incorrect patient details or similar errors are dealt with appropriately and logged through the LIMS system.
• Liaise with Trust staff on technical, patient and specimen problems.
• Extract information from LIMS for telephone enquiries by staff from other departments, surgeries or hospitals and identify when these need to be passed on to senior members of staff.
• Provide advice to healthcare staff regarding specimen types, and turnaround times of tests.
• Loading and operating of specialist automated detection system e.g. bacterial/alert 3D blood culture analyser.
• Loading and operating of pre-analytical equipment in line with SOPs.

Qualifications

Essential

• Numerate and Literate to GCSE level (to include English and Mathematics)

Desirable

• Knowledge of Biomedical tests
• Knowledge of medical terminologies
• Must maintain a continuous development portfolio

Experience

Desirable

• Experience of working in a clinical laboratory or equivalent

Knowledge

• Essential
• Demonstrably Computer literate, with demonstrable data entry experience
• Knowledge/understanding of confidentiality and data protection issues
• Knowledge and interest in biomedical science.
• Understands the role of medical laboratories and quality systems.
• Awareness of Health and Safety issues

Skills

• Ability to communicate courteously verbally and in writing. Work as part of a team or on own initiative. Work in an organised, time efficient and methodical manner.
• Familiar with use of basic laboratory equipment e.g., pipette, pH meter, centrifuge etc. Scientifically numerate
• Attention to detail

Other

• Willingness to learn and conform to departmental policies, procedures and take defined instruction from others.
• Ability to adapt to requirements of departmental needs with respect to working time.
• Commitment to Dignity and Respect
• Working relationships - maintain and develop

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address: Liverpool Clinical Laboratories, Liverpool, L7 8YE

Employer's website: https://www.liverpoolft.nhs.uk/