Medical Laboratory Assistant - Microbiology

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Medical Laboratory Assistant to join our Microbiology Pathology Team

Medical Laboratory Assistants are important members of a scientific team who will always ensure that the workflow and turnaround of specimens is adequately maintained.

Main duties include reception of samples, pre and post analytical processes, data entry and checking correctness of data, telephone enquiries and assisting qualified staff as required. You will rotate through all sections within the Microbiology Department. The post holder will be expected to take a full part in any out of hours service agreed by the Trust.

Interview Date - 7th September, 2026

The Job Description and Person Specification are currently under review and are subject to change

Main duties of the job

• Under the supervision of a trained Biomedical Scientist, carry out microbiological work on specimens from patients with known or suspected infections. This work is undertaken in accordance with appropriate training and ability to demonstrate competence in handling clinical samples.
• Maintain appropriate stock levels within the section following appropriate policies and procedures under the direction of the section leader.
• Ensure that equipment is used in accordance with departmental policies and supplier’s instructions and is maintained correctly. Notify equipment/general building fitting failures to the appropriate senior person.
• Participate in training and development. Each individual is encouraged to supply suggestions for new techniques and technology and use their initiative in the improvement of the department.
• Provide and sustain a high-quality service and to be involved in the maintenance of quality goals.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

KEY DUTIES

Technical

• Receive, sort, identify and label specimens as per Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs).
• Identify to Senior/Qualified staff any specimens and/or requests, which may cause problems (e.g. Health and Safety, inadequate identification and/or sample quality).
• Prepare specimens for dispatch to other laboratories; when appropriate complete request forms and / or organise transport as required.
• Assist on benches as assigned, to process clinical specimens under supervision (see rota).
• Unpack and process media orders, maintaining records and stock rotation.
• Report to a senior BMS any instance or event which may cause a service delivery failure.
• Undertake routine operative maintenance on laboratory instruments.
• Monitor and record fridge and incubator temperatures daily.
• Undertake stock take and log details.
• Ensure all clinical material is stored according to departmental policies.
• Ensure all clinical material is disposed of according to departmental policies.
• Assist in clinical and non-clinical audits, trials and research projects as directed by department management.
• Work in a safe manner.

Communication

• Receive telephone calls and action where appropriate.
• Contact service users in case of any problems with received samples.
• Communicate any relevant information to laboratory colleagues within the section.
• Actively participate in team meetings and to inform effectively at hand over.

Effort and Environment

• The job will involve frequent exposure to unpleasant body fluids and tissue including sputum, faeces, blood, urine and samples that are potentially infective with pathogenic micro-organisms (including infections such as Hepatitis, HIV, nvCJD, TB).
• Due to the nature and pressure and variety of work there is a need for the ability to multi-task both physically, mentally and be expected to communicate with all grades of staff. Transport of chemicals, reagents and solutions together with disposal of clinical waste requires some physical effort.
• The job will involve exposure to harmful chemicals, including acids and carcinogens, which should be dealt with under COSHH regulations.
• The job may involve visits to clinical areas in order to maintain, and control point of care testing equipment, blood fridges or other systems.

CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Keep the workplace and work benches clean and tidy.
• Maintain good working relations with all members or staff and to promote effective teamwork.
• Maintain and promote the professional image of the Pathology, St. Helens & Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (STHK) and Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust (SOHT).

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensure that records are kept up to date and stored safely to ensure compliance with good working practices required by UKAS ISO:15189. 3
• Comply with good laboratory practices required by UKAS ISO:15189 including Health and Safety.
• Organise the workload to ensure that reporting of results is carried out in a timely fashion.
• Advise the Senior Biomedical Scientists when stocks of reagents and consumables are approaching minimum stock levels.
• Enter details from request forms in to the pathology computer as required according to departmental SOPs.
• Comply with the local and national policies for safe, secure and confidential processing and storage of patient and other laboratory information.
• Use the Pathology Computer System (LIMS) according to the SOPs.
• Enter their own results and those obtained by others into LIMS.
• Maintain the integrity and accuracy of laboratory databases.
• Use Trust wide I.T. systems as appropriate following Trust polices, guidelines and procedures.

RESEARCH & AUDIT

• Participate in departmental clinical trials, audit, research and development programmes.