Senior Medical Laboratory Assistant

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Medical Laboratory Assistant in the Microbiology department at Worcester Royal Hospital, Worcester.

The successful applicant will be joining the microbiology team consisting of Biomedical scientists, Microbiology consultants, and the wider pathology department.

This is a full time role 37.5 hours per week, excluding meal breaks.

Rostered shifts include core hour shifts (09:00 17:00), late shifts (12:00 20:00), weekends (08:00 - 16:00) Bank Holidays (08:00 16:00) and overnight shifts (20:00 08:00).

Weekends and Bank Holidays are additional to core hour Participation on the overnight shift roster is mandatory.

We are a busy department which includes a wide repertoire of tests including general Bacteriology, Serology, and Molecular biology.

During the pandemic we were and remain a vital service ensuring patients are getting COVID tests 24/7.

Main duties of the job

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.

About us

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.

Our objectives are simple:

• 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.

Details

• Date posted: 03 June 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 3
• Salary: £25,760 to £27,476 a year
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working
• Reference number: C9365-26-0424
• Job locations: Charles Hastings Way, Worcester, Worcestershire, WR5 1DD, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

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 Quality Team

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