Senior Medical Laboratory Assistant
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
Worcester, WR5 1DDView on map(opens Google Maps in a new tab)
Salary
£25,760 to £27,476
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Not specified
Closing date
15 November 2026
3 days leftJob description
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Medical Laboratory Assistant in the Microbiology department at Worcester Royal Hospital, Worcester. The succe...
The successful applicant will be rotated throughout the whole of the department, becoming competent in housekeeping, general bacteriology including urines, enteric and swab processing. Serology and molecular biology sample processing.
They will be expected to contribute to the quality management system and participate in audits and the processing of IQC and IQA.
They will need to be adaptable and organised as this is a fast paced department where changes can occur quickly, therefore a positive attitude towards the work and services users is required.
Please note: This post does not support with the completion of registration portfolios.
This is a re-advertisement of a previous job listing. Candidates who applied in the last 6 months and were unsuccessful need not apply.
To unpack Microbiology samples, checking details on request form and pot to ensure that
sample data is correct. To attach consecutively numbered bar code labels to the form and
pot.
To deal with customers or visitors attending Pathology Reception. To process clinical samples according to departmental SOPs.
To book in the samples onto the laboratory computer system.
To reject specimens which do not conform to acceptable requirements, contacting sender
or returning them to sender and monitoring the action taken and date and time of return to
the laboratory, and inform a Senior member of staff.
To select the appropriate discard specimens and transfer them to the correct area for
disposal.
To monitor stock levels of consumables within the laboratory and notify the Associate
Practitioner or Senior BMS when ordering is necessary.
On a rotational basis, supervises and receives stock deliveries to the bacteriology
department, ensuring that storage is in accordance with CE mark and departmental
procedures.
Processes goods receipt documentation in accordance with SFIs and knows when to
inform a Senior BMS of anomalies
To collect specimens from specimen reception regularly throughout the day in
conjunction with work colleagues. Coordinate and process samples for Internal Quality assurance in conjunction with
To empty clinical waste bins and autoclave tins, transferring bags and containers to the
appropriate site.
To collect dirty linen and laboratory coats for laundering and replace clean linen in the
storage cupboard.
To maintain the equipment on a daily basis by emptying used reagents, cleaning
containers and re-filling with fresh reagents. Daily performs general housekeeping and maintenance duties including automated
equipment, defrosting fridges and freezers, decontaminating incubators, centrifuges and
water baths.
To carry out such monitoring as is required, e.g. temperatures, airflows etc.
Completes non-conformance record forms and submits to the Quality Manager and, or Senior BMS
18. Respond to telephone enquiries giving out
authorised results, referring enquiries to appropriate member of staff and where appropriate
take accurate and detailed messages To participate in the training and induction of MLAs and visitors as directed by the
Laboratory Manager.
Contribute to the revision and development of Standard Operating Procedures
Daily assist with general office and laboratory duties including, scanning, filing and
recording details of samples referred to other laboratories
To follow agreed protocols and policies seeking advice where appropriate from more
senior staff.
To work in an efficient and timely manner and to be adaptable to change.
To work in a safe manner in accordance with departmental and Trust Health and Safety
policies.
To contribute to care, maintenance and security of the laboratory premises and
equipment.
Under the supervision of an Associate Practitioner or Biomedical Scientist perform tasks
that include accuracy and precision including use of specialist and automated
equipment.
To demonstrate a positive attitude to the work of the laboratory, colleagues and service
users.
To respond to requests for information in a polite, helpful and concise manner.
To maintain confidentiality and conform with the Data Protection Act.
To work to quality standards for all aspects of the service as defined by the Pathology
Directorate Quality Management System.
The postholder will participate in an annual Personal Development Review appraisal
process as well as all necessary mandatory training. As part of the PDR process the
postholders involvement and contribution to Quality Management will be reviewed along
with their understanding and compliance with the current, relevant Trust objectives.
To participate in the competency assessment scheme.
To participate in Mandatory Training as required.
For further details please refer to Job description attached
Our purpose is simple - Putting Patients First. We are looking for exceptional colleagues who can help us achieve this.
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is a large acute and specialised hospital trust that provides a range of local acute services to the residents of Worcestershire and more specialised services to a larger population in Herefordshire and beyond.
The Trust operates hospital-based services from three sites in Kidderminster, Redditch and Worcester
Our workforce is over 7,000 strong, and our caring staff are recognised as providing good and outstanding patient-centred care. You could be one of them.
We are committed to recruiting the best people to work with us to achieve our Vision - working in partnership to provide the best healthcare for our communities, leading and supporting our teams to move 4ward. Our 4ward behaviours, which we ask all staff to demonstrate, underpin our everyday work and remain firmly at the heart of all we do.
- Best services for local people
- Best experience of care and best outcomes for our patients
- Best use of resources
- Best people
Better never stops, and our Clinical Services Strategy provides a clear future vision for our Trust, our hospitals, our services and our role in the wider health and care system.
We are proud to have achieved Timewise accreditation - this means we are committed to embedding flexible working within our organisation as a flex positive employer.
Experience
Essential
- Has experience of working in a laboratory and has practical experience of performing regular routine laboratory investigations. (University/College practical's do not count)
Desirable: - NHS laboratory experience.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Good attention to detail.
- Ability to concentrate for prolonged periods of time and under pressure
- High level of dexterity.
- Ability to work in a team.
- Ability to work on own initiative.
- Flexible attitude to tasks.
- Conscientious approach to work.
- Because manual handling of loads is required, the applicant must be physically capable of undertaking this aspect of the duties
Desirable
- Basic IT skills
- Previous experience of working with the public
- Understanding of the importance of confidentiality.
- Awareness of Health and Safety
- Presentable appearance
Qualifications
Essential: - Good standard of education to at least GCSE level.; - Willing to undertake any necessary in-house training required.
Desirable
- NVQ 2 or above in Clinical Laboratory Support or Certificate of Achievement
- Working towards NVQ Level 3 in or equivalent qualification.
- Good spoken and written English.
Other requirements
Essential
- Understanding of importance of confidentiality.
- Awareness of Health and Safety.
- Presentable appearance.
- Fully aware of the shifts that are required for the post to include night shifts and weekend working.
- Willingness to undertake the house keeping laboratory cleaning duties.
- The post holder must be willing to have relevant vaccinations.
How to apply
Applications are handled entirely by the employer on the original advert. We do not collect CVs, supporting statements or application data.
Provenance
Source
NHS Jobs
First seen
30 October 2026
Last checked
3 November 2026
Salary, closing date and description are taken from the employer's advert. The original advert always takes precedence.
About the employer
NHS organisation
This listing was structured from NHS Jobs. Vacancy details and the application process remain the responsibility of the original source.
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