Senior Medical Laboratory Assistant

Job summary

We are seeking to employ a dedicated and enthusiastic senior medical laboratory assistant to work in our busy microbiology department. Previous laboratory experience is essential and NHS experience is preferred. Previous supervisory experience is desirable as this post involves the training and supervision of MLA colleagues.

The successful candidate should also demonstrate excellent communication, interpersonal and organisational skills. The post holder will demonstrate computer and keyboard skills, good numeracy & literacy and a high standard of verbal & written english. You will be able to carry out registration of requests accurately, handle telephone enquiries and assist with clerical tasks.

You will need to be able to follow departmental standard operating procedures. Laboratory based activity under the supervision of biomedical scientists will also be required.

The post holder will need to have a flexible approach to working as this role involves participation in the 24/7 shift rota.

Main duties of the job

The main tasks include:

Prioritising urgent samples to avoid delays and ensure best patient care.

Receipt of samples from hospitals in the Trust, GPs and other service users.

Registration of high volumes of patient, sample and test information into the lab computer system and ensuring all patient information is input into our system accurately and that the correct tests are selected. There are 1000s of different test codes and you must have excellent attention to detail to select the correct codes.

Preparing and correctly loading the samples on to laboratory analysers and organising samples to be processed in a timely manner.

Answering reception and telephone queries and liaising with other Trust staff and the general public - requiring excellent customer service and communication skills.

Receipting deliveries into the department, unpacking and organising the stock as requested (this job role will require multiple boxes or cartons of up to 20kg each to be moved).

Safely using the autoclave within the department to sterilise waste and safely discard through the correct waste streams.

Training and supervision support for MLAs.

About us

If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.

We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.

Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success.

For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.

Details

• Date posted: 13 August 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 3
• Salary: £25,760 to £27,476 a year per annum, pro rata
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Reference number: C9439-2627-RP-1361
• Job locations: University Hospital Of North Durham, North Road, DURHAM, DH1 5TW, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

Following full training the post holders will be an integral part of the microbiology department, responsible for processing a variety of microbiological samples using both manual and automated systems in routine bacteriology & molecular areas of the department. This will also include dealing with telephone calls from service users.

This is a supervised role and will include carrying out laboratory, clerical, logistics and technical duties.

Post holders should be able to demonstrate good keyboard skills and be computer literate and have experience of working in a reception or clerical environment.

The role requires some manual handling work so you must be able to lift boxes up to 20kg.

Excellent communication skills are essential and you must be able to ask questions and take on board information given. Ability to plan and prioritise your own workload is essential.

Post holders must be able to work on a 24/7 shift rota which includes day shifts, late shifts, night shifts, weekend shifts (day & night), bank holiday shifts (day & night) including Christmas. This is a requirement of the post. Day shifts and late shifts are 7.5 hours. Night shifts, weekends and bank holidays shifts are 12 hours in length.

Due to the high amount of samples we receive this role will include high volumes of data input so the ability to work in an accurate, methodical way is essential.

If you are well organised, have excellent attention to detail, are a good communicator, a team player, are conscientious and flexible this job may suit you.