Medical Laboratory Assistant - Virology

Manchester University Nhs Foundation Trust; Manchester; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester is seeking a Medical Laboratory Assistant to join one of the world’s largest Virology departments. You will support a busy lab team delivering a comprehensive virology service across seven days, contributing to accurate microbiological analysis that informs patient care.

This permanent, full-time role operates on flexible shifts, including weekends and nights.

Qualifications

• Appropriate Science NVQ level 3 or equivalent.
• GCSE English, Maths and at least one science.
• Previous work experience in a relevant setting.
• Desirable: laboratory experience.

Responsibilities

• Support the laboratory team in delivering a comprehensive Virology service across 7 days.
• Participate in microbiological analysis to support patient diagnosis and treatment.
• Be available for weekend and night shifts as required.

Skills

Clear communication

Written communication

Data entry

Telephone skills

Teamwork

Problem solving

Initiative

Confidentiality

Time keeping

Flexibility

Following protocols

Education

NVQ level 3 / equivalent

GCSE English/Maths/Science

Apprenticeship Level 2

Certificate of Achievement

Job description

Job summary

This is an exciting opportunity to join one of the world's largest Virology departments. The Virology department forms part of The Manchester Medical Microbiology Partnership (MMMP), a collaboration between Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA)

We are seeking an enthusiastic and highly motivated Medical Laboratory Assistant. Previous experience would be desirable but is not essential. The post holder will work as part of the laboratory team, providing a high level of microbiological analysis to provide patients with the highest level of diagnosis and treatment.

Main duties of the job

The laboratory is accredited by UKAS (ISO15189 standard)

We actively encourage CPD activities. The department requires staff to support the department in delivering a comprehensive Virology service over 7 days. Staff may be required to work a variety of shifts, including weekends, throughout the 24 hour period if appropriate to the post.

Please understand that this is a 24/7 contracted position with a necessity to be available for weekends and nights. This position is expected to work one weekend day per week

The Virology delivered from the Manchester Royal Infirmary site employs over 100 staff and has a workload of approximately 1.5 Million specimens per year or 6,500 specimens per day. The department embraces all aspects of a modern clinical virology service combining state of the art laboratory automation with some more traditional methods.

About us

Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and become part of a 30,000 plus strong team, delivering exceptional care to over 1 million people every year. As the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe, we are forward-thinking, committed to clinical excellence and driven to deliver innovation, and continuous improvement.

Whether you're beginning your career or taking the next step, MFT offers a stimulating and supportive environment where your contribution truly matters. Our Hive Electronic Patient Record system enables safer, smarter, and more efficient ways of working - empowering you to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients.

You'll be part of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary community, working alongside professionals from a wide range of clinical backgrounds. Together, we push boundaries, share knowledge, and deliver care that transforms lives.

At MFT, you'll find a workplace where everyone is respected, supported, and encouraged to thrive. We offer clear clinical pathways for professional development, helping you grow your skills and achieve your ambitions.

Your journey at MFT is more than a job - it's an opportunity to make a lasting impact. We'll support you as you shape the future of healthcare, one patient at a time.

Details

Date posted: 23 October 2026

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 3

Salary: £25,760 to £27,476 a year per annum (pro rata)

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: 349-CSS-8261744-RL3

Job locations: Manchester Royal Infirmary, Oxford Road Campus, Manchester, M13 9WL, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

IMPORTANT CANDIDATE INFORMATION

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you'll need for this role, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Documents to download heading.

Explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place

To help you feel confident, prepared and fully informed before you apply, we invite you to explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place. This welcoming one-stop hub gives you a real sense of who we are, what we stand for, how we reward and support you, and the many ways we care for you as you care for others. You'll also find practical hints and tips for submitting a great application, along with the essential information you need to know before you apply.

To access Inside MFT Your Candidate Place, simply click on the relevant PDF document under the Documents to download heading and once opened, you can either scan QR code or click on the link provided.

Closing vacancy listings early

We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. To help us manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, our adverts may close early if we receive a high level of interest. Early applications are therefore encouraged.

Diversity Matters

MFT is 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 age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application

Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, we're proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU, for our patients, our communities, and each other. As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application, especially personal statements and responses to role specific questions is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.

Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

As part of our commitment to safeguarding patients and staff, many roles at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This is a standard process across the NHS and helps us ensure a safe environment for everyone.

A DBS check is a background check that reveals any criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, or warnings. The level of check required depends on the role:

• Standard DBS: Checks for spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings.
• Enhanced DBS: Includes the above, plus any additional information held by local police that is considered relevant to the role.
• Enhanced with Barred Lists: Includes all of the above, plus checks against the children's and/or adults barred lists.

Who Needs a DBS Check

Most roles involving direct patient contact, working with children or vulnerable adults, or access to sensitive information will require a DBS check. The job advert and recruitment team will let you know if this applies to your role.

The Costs for a DBS

At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), roles that require a DBS check are subject to a cost recovery policy. This means that the cost of submitting and processing a DBS application if you are successful and join us, will be deducted from your salary within the first three months of employment. If, however, you withdraw from a conditional offer after the DBS process has begun, you will still be liable for the cost incurred.

For more information about the cost of the various types of DBS, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dbs-fees-are-changing-in-december

DBS Update Service

Candidates are also expected to register with the DBS Update Service which must be completed within 30 days of the certificate being issued. This helps streamline future employment checks and supports safer recruitment practices. For more information, please visit the DBS Update Service.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Appropriate Science NVQ level 3, Apprenticeship Level 2, Certificate of Achievement Part 1 or equivalent. GCSE Grade C or above, with English, Maths and at least one science.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Previous work experience

Desirable

• Previously worked in Laboratory
• Experience of working in a health care environment.
• Evidence of on-going training and development

Skills

Essential

• Clear communicator with good writing, data entry and telephone skills ensuring accuracy
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Problem solving skills
• Able to work on own initiative, organising and prioritising own workload to set deadlines
• An ability to maintain confidentiality and trust
• Good time keeping.
• Flexible approach to work
• Ability to follow written protocols

Employer details

Employer name: Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Address: Manchester Royal Infirmary, Oxford Road Campus, Manchester, M13 9WL, United Kingdom

Employer's website: https://mft.nhs.uk/careers/

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact: Dept Lab Manager, James Barnes, [e-mail]

Supporting documents

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice