Medical Laboratory Assistant | University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider is seeking a Medical Laboratory Assistant in Derby. The role involves assisting senior staff and maintaining laboratory equipment. Candidates should have a good education in English and science but lab experience is not essential. Development opportunities available in a supportive team environment. Commitment to quality patient care emphasized.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

Employee assistance programme

Discounted gym membership

Onsite fitness classes

Car schemes

Qualifications

• Ability to handle admin tasks and deal with queries.
• Familiarity with safe manual handling practices.
• Enthusiastic and committed individual with a keen interest in medical science.

Responsibilities

• Data entry and admin / filing.
• Assisting senior staff with sample handling.
• Maintenance of laboratory equipment.
• Replenishing laboratory stocks and reporting low levels.
• Human tissue handling, and chemical disposal.
• Laboratory housekeeping.

Skills

Good teamwork

Use of initiative

Follow protocols

Education

Good level of general education including English and science

Job description

Overview

Derbyshire Pathology has a vacancy for a Medical Laboratory Assistant within the Histology Department on the Royal Derby Hospital site, with potential cross-site working in the future. The service currently operates Monday to Friday 07:30–19:30, including Saturday working on a rolling 5‑week roster. Histopathology provides a diagnostic service to Clinicians and GPs in a timely and efficient manner, handling approximately 50,000 patient sample requests per year.

Responsibilities

• Data entry and admin / filing
• Assisting senior staff with sample handling
• Maintenance of laboratory equipment
• Replenishing laboratory stocks and reporting low levels
• Human tissue handling, and chemical disposal
• Laboratory housekeeping

Requirements / Qualifications

The role of the MLA is well established within the department. The successful candidate will be expected to have a good level of general education including English and science, be IT literate, handle admin tasks (filing and dealing with queries), and be familiar with safe manual handling practices. We are looking for an enthusiastic, committed individual with a keen interest in medical science who can adapt to a frequently changing environment, contribute to a busy team, and participate actively.

Laboratory experience is not essential as tasks and duties will be taught in-house; however, candidates should demonstrate experience of good teamwork, use of initiative, and the ability to follow protocols.

Training and development

Training will be provided in-house with competency assessment and regular reviews.

Employment details

Closing date of advert: 11 September 2025

Date of interview: 25 September 2025

As a trusted organisation at the heart of our communities, we recognise the important role we can play in supporting the public, patients, our own people and local partners in achieving the best of health for the local population and the communities in which they live by providing Exceptional Care Together. Our fundamental Values of Compassion, Openness and Excellence underpin how we intend to work as a Trust and the associated behaviours are embedded in all aspects of how we work.

Benefits

• Development opportunities, both professional and leadership development
• Ongoing support from recruitment to when you join our team and beyond
• Staff benefits including employee assistance programme, discounted gym membership, onsite fitness classes, car schemes

Key facts

• We see on average 4,810 OP appointments a day
• We are the 4th busiest Trauma & Orthopaedic outpatients department in England – an average of 2,077 per week
• An average of 1,115 patients are seen in A&Es across our network every day – 3rd largest in the country
• Our hospitals admit an average of 195 emergency patients daily
• Last year we undertook almost 33,700 planned surgical operations in our 57 operating theatres
• We are one of only 7 Trusts nationally with more than 50 operating theatres
• We carry out more than 140 elective procedures each working day
• UHDB is a research-active University Hospital with a large portfolio of clinical trials and research opportunities for all staff

How to apply

Please see attached Job description and Person Specification. To apply please click APPLY FOR THIS JOB – this link will take you to the TRAC Recruitment Site. You will need to register if you do not already have an account.

Following the recent update on UK immigration policy for those on a Health and Care Visa or Skilled Worker Visa, please check your eligibility before applying for this post as we may be unable to provide sponsorship.

Your application (for shortlisting purposes) is assessed based on the Person Specification in the job advert (below).

Closing

This advert closes on Thursday 11 Sep 2025.