# Medical Laboratory Assistant - Entry Level > NHS job listing from Job Clerk for Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. ## Canonical URLs - **HTML:** https://www.jobclerk.com/job/medical-laboratory-assistant-entry-level/5f988a71-1e85-4cce-be02-40f9aceead7d - **Markdown:** https://www.jobclerk.com/job/medical-laboratory-assistant-entry-level/5f988a71-1e85-4cce-be02-40f9aceead7d.md ## Summary - **Status:** Live - **Employer:** Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust - **Town:** North Shields - **Region:** North East and Yorkshire - **Country:** England - **Profession:** Healthcare support worker - **Grade:** Band 2 - **Salary:** £25,272 pro rata per annum - **Contract type:** Fixed term: 15 months (Will be expected to work at all sites within the Trust) - **Employment type:** Full time, Part time, Flexible working, 37.5 hours per week (Variety of day / late / weekend shifts - Team Based Rostering) - **Closing date:** 2026-06-18T23:59:00.000Z - **Posted:** 2026-06-04T14:51:39.489Z - **Source information URL:** https://www.healthjobsuk.com/job/UK/Tyne_Wear/North_Tyneside/Northumbria_Healthcare_NHCT_Northumbria_Healthcare_NHS_Foundation_Trust/Pathology_Blood_Sciences/Pathology_Blood_Sciences-v7980942 - **Application URL:** https://apps.trac.jobs/job-advert/7980942?ShowJobAdvert=&feedid=9002 - **Employer website:** https://www.northumbria.nhs.uk ## Job Content ### Job overview Applications are invited from enthusiastic, confident, motivated and hardworking individuals to work as Medical Laboratory Assistants (MLA's) within the combined Blood Science Specimen Reception areas in Pathology. MLAs are the first point of contact for the Laboratory therefore a friendly, approachable personality and excellent communication skills are essential.  You should have good attention to detail, manual dexterity and the ability to follow defined protocols whilst working quickly but effective under pressure. Full time posts  37.5 hpw -  Fixed term 15 months Part time hours may be considered Please note we reserve the right to close this vacancy prior to the closing date once the required number of suitable applications have been received. ### Main duties of the job The role involves supporting scientific staff in the receipt, analytical preparation, labelling and data entry of patient samples & requests, maintenance and quality control of Point of Care Testing equipment and general laboratory support duties.  The role requires a calm, organised approach with attention to detail and good keyboard skills. Previous experience in an NHS clinical laboratory would be an advantage but not essential as full training will be provided. The Blood Science department operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and the successful candidate will be expected to support and participate in late shift rosters . The main Pathology services are located at North Tyneside Hospital, Wansbeck Hospital and the Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital, the first of its kind in England. There is also a smaller Specimen reception and Point of care testing based at Hexham Hospital. You may be expected to work at any of the sites as required for service provision therefore a full driving license and access to a vehicle is desirable. ### Detailed job description and main responsibilities The main duties of the role are to: Perform basic sample reception and process duties including the receipt, barcode labelling and preparation of samples for analysis, loading of samples onto analysers or other laboratory equipment and sample archiving. Perform clerical tasks including data input of patient demographics and test request information and maintains clerical records. Perform general housekeeping duties including maintaining stock levels, general cleaning and waste disposal. Maintain and promote professional image. The work of the service brings staff into constant contact with human body fluids, tissues and hazardous chemicals. This may be blood, urine, fluid and faeces. The post holder may be required to work at NTGH/NSECH/WGH/HGH. To work flexibly in reflection of service needs this may include an extended working day and/or participation in delivery of a 24 hours, 7 days per week service. The post holder will be responsible to the Biomedical Scientists in Blood Sciences. The work involves handling biological samples and paperwork associated with this process therefore the departmental health and safety policies must be adhered to at all times. NB: Post holder must not work outside their defined field of competence. ## Job Details Applications are invited from enthusiastic, confident, motivated and hardworking individuals to work as Medical Laboratory Assistants (MLA's) within the combined Blood Science Specimen Reception areas in Pathology. MLAs are the first point of contact for the Laboratory therefore a friendly, approachable personality and excellent communication skills are essential. You should have good attention to detail, manual dexterity and the ability to follow defined protocols whilst working quickly but effective under pressure. Full time posts 37.5 hpw - Fixed term 15 months Part time hours may be considered Please note we reserve the right to close this vacancy prior to the closing date once the required number of suitable applications have been received. ## Job Description The role involves supporting scientific staff in the receipt, analytical preparation, labelling and data entry of patient samples & requests, maintenance and quality control of Point of Care Testing equipment and general laboratory support duties. The role requires a calm, organised approach with attention to detail and good keyboard skills. Previous experience in an NHS clinical laboratory would be an advantage but not essential as full training will be provided. The Blood Science department operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and the successful candidate will be expected to support and participate in late shift rosters . The main Pathology services are located at North Tyneside Hospital, Wansbeck Hospital and the Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital, the first of its kind in England. There is also a smaller Specimen reception and Point of care testing based at Hexham Hospital. You may be expected to work at any of the sites as required for service provision therefore a full driving license and access to a vehicle is desirable. ## Responsibilities The main duties of the role are to: Perform basic sample reception and process duties including the receipt, barcode labelling and preparation of samples for analysis, loading of samples onto analysers or other laboratory equipment and sample archiving. Perform clerical tasks including data input of patient demographics and test request information and maintains clerical records. Perform general housekeeping duties including maintaining stock levels, general cleaning and waste disposal. Maintain and promote professional image. The work of the service brings staff into constant contact with human body fluids, tissues and hazardous chemicals. This may be blood, urine, fluid and faeces. The post holder may be required to work at NTGH/NSECH/WGH/HGH. To work flexibly in reflection of service needs this may include an extended working day and/or participation in delivery of a 24 hours, 7 days per week service. The post holder will be responsible to the Biomedical Scientists in Blood Sciences. The work involves handling biological samples and paperwork associated with this process therefore the departmental health and safety policies must be adhered to at all times. NB: Post holder must not work outside their defined field of competence. ## Person Specification ### Qualifications/Experience **Essential** - GCSE Maths and English or equivalent qualifications and/or experience that demonstrate appropriate level of literacy and numeracy **Desirable** - Computer / Keyboard / Word processing qualifications e.g.ECDL - GCSE in Science (A-c) or equivlent - Driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes ## Documents - [guidance for applicants (pdf, 1.4mb)](https://www.healthjobsuk.com/documents?edoc=2867) - [northumbria privacy policy (pdf, 520.6kb)](https://www.healthjobsuk.com/documents?edoc=1899) - [pro2252 jd&ps medical laboratory assistant - entry level (pdf, 217.9kb)](https://www.healthjobsuk.com/documents?vdoc=10336820) ## Agent Notes - This Markdown page is generated from the same Job Clerk job record as the HTML job detail page. - Use the canonical HTML URL for user-facing references. - Use the application URL when the user wants to apply on the source NHS site.