Mortuary Medical Laboratory Assistant

Charity Society; Darlington; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

An established healthcare provider is looking for a dedicated Senior Medical Laboratory Assistant to join their Cellular Pathology team. This role involves working in both the mortuary and histology department, requiring a keen eye for detail and strong organizational skills. The successful candidate will handle sensitive tasks, including the receipt of deceased patients and laboratory samples, while ensuring adherence to health and safety standards. With opportunities for professional development and a supportive team environment, this position is ideal for someone passionate about making a difference in healthcare.

Qualifications

• Ability to follow protocols and instructions accurately.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Receipt and registration of deceased patients and laboratory samples.
• Organizing referral work and sending samples to other Trust sites.
• Training staff and troubleshooting errors.

Skills

Communication Skills

Organizational Skills

Manual Dexterity

Computer Literacy

Attention to Detail

Education

NVQ 3 in Health (pathology)

Science and/or Maths GCSE

Tools

Laboratory Computer System

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Summary

We are seeking to appoint a self-motivated Senior Medical Laboratory Assistant to join our Cellular Pathology team in the mortuary and histology department. The successful candidate will work closely with Anatomical Pathology Technicians, Biomedical Scientists, and Associate Practitioners. Following training, you will rotate within the mortuary at Durham and Darlington Hospital and the histology lab in Durham. The ability to travel across sites is essential. Please refer to the Job Description and Personal Specification for full details.

The ideal candidate will be a team player with excellent communication, organizational, and manual dexterity skills, and a keen eye for detail. Manual handling is a core part of the role. You should also be able to concentrate for long periods and have an interest in pathology. Good keyboard skills and computer literacy are required. Previous NHS pathology or mortuary experience is desirable.

Main duties of the job

Main Tasks Include:

1. Receipt and registration of deceased patients and laboratory samples.
2. Release of deceased patients to funeral directors.
3. Entering patient details into the laboratory computer system, inputting tests, and maintaining logs.
4. Answering reception and phone queries, liaising with Trust staff and the public.
5. Preparing bodies for viewings and police identification.
6. Organising referral work, packaging, and sending samples to other Trust sites and nationwide.
7. Stock control, including deliveries, reagent organization, and verification tasks.
8. Supporting dissection of samples within histology.
9. Preparing cases for MDT meetings.
10. Loading/unloading tissue processor machines.
11. Cleaning and decontaminating equipment and work areas.
12. Training staff and troubleshooting errors.

Please refer to the Job Description and Personal Specification for full details.

About Us

If shortlisted, you must accept an interview slot in the system. All essential certificates listed in the person specification must be produced to complete pre-employment checks. We provide hospital services from Darlington Memorial Hospital, University Hospital of North Durham, and other community settings. We welcome applications from disabled and BAME candidates, as these groups are under-represented.

Full Job Descriptions are available in the adverts supporting documents. Over-reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged. Check online for visa requirements and eligibility. From April 9th, 2025, healthcare assistants need at least two years NHS experience for sponsorship consideration, with current visa expiry within three months.

Post date: 02 May 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for Change

Band: Band 3

Salary: £24,625 to £25,674 per year (pro rata)

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: C9439-2425-1652

Location: Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust, Hollyhurst Road, Darlington, County Durham, DL3 6HX

Job Responsibilities

See the attached job description and personal specification for full details. The Senior MLA works closely with Pathologists, Technicians, Scientists, and Practitioners, following SOPs and quality documentation. After training and competency, they rotate through laboratory and mortuary areas, performing duties per local policies while adhering to health and safety standards. This includes work in the body store, viewing room, histology reception, MDT prep, and dissection support, using specialized equipment, and maintaining equipment and documentation, including temperature, xylene, and formalin monitoring.

The role involves handling sensitive human tissue and fluids, with work that can be upsetting. Manual handling is daily. Stock management includes monitoring supplies, signing for deliveries, verifying, and organizing storage.

The Senior MLA assists with tasks within their scope, providing supervision, training, and leadership to junior staff. Focus, attention to detail, organization, and computer literacy (spreadsheets, LIMS, SOPs, audits) are essential for effective performance.

Person Specification

Essential Skills & Knowledge:

• Follow protocols and instructions accurately
• Effective verbal and written communication
• Computer literacy

Desirable Skills & Knowledge:

• Microsoft Office applications
• Knowledge of deceased viewing procedures

Special Requirements:

• Ability to handle tissue and body fluids
• Flexibility to work across sites

Desirable: participation in shift, weekend, and bank holiday work as required.

Qualifications:

• NVQ 3 in Health (pathology) or equivalent
• Science and/or Maths GCSE or above

Desirable: science A-levels or equivalent qualifications.

Experience:

• Previous laboratory or mortuary experience

Desirable: experience interacting with external hospital services, e.g., funeral directors.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check applies.