
Job requirements
Essential
13 listedRequirements the employer expects applicants to meet.
- Knowledge
Understanding of Cellular Pathology
- Experience
Demonstrable experience of working in scientific area as a Medical Laboratory Assistant or equivalent
- Experience
Able to work accurately and with good hand-eye co-ordination
- Experience
Experience of using common IT software
- Qualifications
Good General Education
- Qualifications
‘A’ levels or equivalent in Science
- Technical Skills Competencies
Must be able to understand and work within established Standard Operating Procedures and relevant Health & Safety policies, including COSHH
- Technical Skills Competencies
Work flexibly in response to changing circumstances.
- Technical Skills Competencies
Works within limits of responsibility
- Technical Skills Competencies
Good interpretive skills at bench level
- Technical Skills Competencies
Good attention to detail and accuracy
- Technical Skills Competencies
Handling biological specimens
- Technical Skills Competencies
Recognises and reports problems as they arise
Desirable
11 listedAdditional qualities the employer would prefer.
- Knowledge
Understanding of UKAS requirements
- Knowledge
Understand the role of Histopathology within the NHS.
- Experience
Previous experience working as a MLA in Cellular Pathology
- Experience
Experience of quality management system
- Experience
Experience of using hospital IT systems
- Qualifications
Completion of Pathology Support Worker qualification or IBMS Support Staff portfolio part 1 and 2.
- Qualifications
Further scientific qualification
- Technical Skills Competencies
Understand the importance of quality at all levels of our work.
- Technical Skills Competencies
Happy to work in a busy environment
- Technical Skills Competencies
Knowledge of microtomy
- Technical Skills Competencies
Demonstrable experience in assisting dissection
Job overview
We are looking for an enthusiastic Senior Medical Laboratory Assistant to join a dedicated team in a modern department, providing a high-quality service. Duties will include laboratory and administrative tasks which may be of a complex nature. Although no formal qualifications are required for this post, it will be important to demonstrate literacy and numeracy skills. Previous experience in laboratory support work is also essential.
University Hospitals Dorset Cellular Pathology department has a high-quality UKAS accreditation record and is an approved laboratory for Registration and Specialist training by the IBMS.
The Cellular Pathology team is made up of different grades of staff, including Medical Laboratory Assistants, Associate Practitioners and Biomedical Scientists, with the aim of putting the patient first and delivering a high-quality service.
This role is focused on providing laboratory support within Cellular Pathology and does not involve or provide a pathway into career development for Biomedical Scientist or other professional registration roles. Applicants should therefore be aware that the post is primarily a laboratory support role.
Main duties of the job
The role is full-time, and you will be required to work 37.5 hours per week. The post can be physically demanding at times and involves practical, hands-on work, including manual handling of laboratory materials and equipment. Applicants should be comfortable working in a role that requires regular periods of standing, moving items and carrying out repetitive manual tasks. Appropriate training and support will be provided.
The main duties of this role will be to support BMS staff in providing analysis of specimens received using complex diagnostic procedures across Cellular Pathology. Other duties include microtomy and assisting the Specialist Biomedical Scientist and consultants at dissection.
The role involves practical, hands-on laboratory work and will require manual handling of specimens, laboratory materials and equipment. The postholder will need to work safely and efficiently while undertaking tasks that may involve standing for extended periods, repetitive movements and the movement of items within the laboratory.
The role is primarily focused on supporting the delivery of the Cellular Pathology service and does not include responsibility for or progression into career development of Biomedical Scientists or other registered professional roles.
Additional contact information Naomi Gordon - Senior Biomedical Scientist naomi.gordon7@nhs.net 0300 019 2817
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To understand the role in more detail please read the full job description and person specification documents which are attached to this advert.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Senior Medical Laboratory Assistant - Cellular Pathology with University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust in Poole, England. It is listed as a Band 3 Medical laboratory assistant role. The advertised salary is £25,760 - £27,476 pa. The contract type is Permanent: Full Time Monday - Friday, 08:15-16:45. The application deadline is 21 Oct 2026.
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