Job overview
Derbyshire Pathology has a vacancy for a Medical Laboratory Assistant within the Histology Department on the Royal Derby Hospital site, although cross-site working may be required in the future. The service is currently provides a service Monday to Friday 07:30-19:30 including Saturday working over a rolling 5 week roster. Histopathology provides a diagnostic service to Clinicians and GPs in a timely and efficient manner handling approximately 50,000 patient sample requests a year. The role of the MLA is well established within the department. The successful candidate will be expected to have a good level of general education including English and Science, be IT literate, Admin (Filing and dealing with queries) and be familiar with safe load handling practices.
We are looking for an enthusiastic, committed individual who has a keen interest in medical science to join the Derbyshire Pathology team. A person who has an adaptable nature, can cope with the stresses of a frequently changing environment and someone who is willing to contribute and participate in a busy team.
Laboratory experience is not essential as the tasks and duties will be taught in-house, however candidates will be expected to demonstrate experience of good team working, use of initiative and ability to follow protocols.
Main duties of the job
Key roles and responsibilities for this include:
- Data entry and admin / filing • Assisting senior staff with sample handling • Maintenance of laboratory equipment • Replenishing laboratory stocks and reporting low levels • Human tissue handling, and chemical disposal • Laboratory house keeping Training will be provided in-house with competency assessment and reviews undertaken on a regular basis.
Closing date: 22 June 2026
Interview date: 3 & 6 July 2026
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see attached Job description and Person Specification. To apply please click APPLY FOR THIS JOB – this link will take you to the TRAC Recruitment Site. You will need to register if you do not already have an account.
UHDB is committed to fair and transparent recruitment. We welcome authentic applications that reflect your own skills, experience and motivations for the role. While we understand that candidates may use AI tools for grammar, formatting or accessibility purposes, applications that appear to be substantially AI‑generated may be subject to additional review. If this applies to your submission, we will let you know and may ask for clarification. Please ensure your application accurately represents your experience and is written in your own words.
Following the recent update on UK immigration policy for those on a Health and Care Visa or Skilled Worker Visa, please click on the link to check your eligibility before applying for this post as we may be unable to provide sponsorship Skilled worker: Health and Care Visa | NHS Employers
Your application (for shortlisting purposes) is assessed based on the Person Specification in the job advert (below).
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Person specification
Skills
Essential
- Evidence of knowledge of IT software system
- Evidence of typing experience
Qualification
Essential
- GCSE English, Science and Maths or NVQ 2 Clinical Lab Support
Desirable
- IT Qualification e.g. ECDL, GCSE, Key Skills
Experience and knowledge
Essential
- Evidence of chemical handling
- Evidence of stock and consumable handling
- Handles customer complaints and queries
- Evidence of clerical/admin experience
Desirable
- Familiarity and experience of numemic filing systems
- Pathology laboratory experience
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Medical Laboratory Assistant with University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust in Derby, Midlands, England. It is listed as a Band 2 Healthcare support worker role. The advertised salary is £25,272 per annum. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 22 Jun 2026.
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