Healthcare Scientist - Medical Laboratory Assistant - Blood Sciences

  • Department Pathology - Blood Sciences
  • Salary £24,465.00 – £24,465 per annum
  • Closing Date 28/08/2025
  • Location The Royal Shrewsbury Hospital
  • Grade NHS AfC: Band 2
  • Job ref 223-MLA-599-A
  • Pension NHS Pension
  • Holidays Generous Holiday Allowance
  • NHS discount Eligible for NHS Discounts
  • Contract Permanent
  • Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen to recruit two permanent, full-time Medical Laboratory Assistants to join our Pathology Specimen Reception team, based at The Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.  Please note that these are not  trainee Biomedical Scientist posts and are unlikely to lead to one. 

We want to employ individuals who are looking for a long-term career as a Medical Laboratory Assistant.  The posts are therefore more suitable for individuals who have not already got a degree qualification. We are seeking self-motivated and conscientious individuals who have an organised approach with good attention to detail and who can remain calm in stressful situations.  You will need excellent communication and observation skills and should enjoy working as part of a team.

Previous experience in a NHS clinical laboratory or in analytical techniques would be an advantage but not essential as full training will be provided.  A good level of secondary education is required with English, Maths and Science to GCSE grade 9 - 4 (or equivalent). 

IMPORTANT: Please can applicants state their GCSE grades fully on their application form and comply with the person specification or their application may not be considered. 

Main duties of the job

The role of a Medical Laboratory Assistant is varied and involves supporting the scientific staff in the receipt, data entry and pre-analytic preparation of patient samples, preparing chemical solutions, maintaining stocks of consumable items, disposal of chemical and/ or biological waste, and maintaining and decontamination of complex laboratory equipment and as such is a key role in supporting a diagnostic service.

Both posts are for 37.5 hours a week. Core working hours will be from 09:00 to 17:30 (Monday-Friday),  with approximately 1 late shift 12:30-21:00 and 1 partial late shift 11:30- 20:00 every other week. You will be required to support a 7 day working rota which will include out of hours work such as evenings, nights, weekends and Bank/ Public holidays, according to service needs.  Flexibility is therefore essential. 

Working for our organisation

Our vision is to put patients at the centre of everything we do.

In the Blood Sciences department you will be working alongside a friendly, expert and energetic team of Consultants, Clinical Scientists, Biomedical Scientists and Associate Practitioners.

Visits to the department are welcome and can be arranged. 

Please note, for vacancies that receive a high number of applications, we reserve the right to close the post before the stated closing date, so please apply as soon as possible.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For full duties and responsibilities please refer to the attached document entitled Job Description.

The well-being of our staff is of the upmost importance to us.  If you are offered a role at our Trust, and fall into the increased and higher risk categories as set out by Public Health England (PHE) and NHSI/E, your line manager will complete an risk assessment with you.  This will be completed in conjunction with the latest guidance from Public Health England in relation to Covid-19.

By submitting your application to Trac, you are giving your consent for parts of your application data to be transferred to the NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) and other secure, internal NHS Workforce systems. This is to support and manage your recruitment and employment within your employing organisation. 

If successful, by completing the NHS Jobs application form you authorise the Trust to obtain any previous NHS service details including all electronically held sickness information, via the Inter Authority Transfer process on the national ESR.

If the role requires a qualification/professional registration, you will need to provide proof during the recruitment process. By submitting your application you are giving the Trust permission to check the qualification certificates provided back to the source provider. Please note that a sample of all applicant’s qualifications will be checked with the educational institution or provider.

In the event of a high response to this advertisement, this post will be closed. Early applications are advised.
 
Unfortunately we do not accept CVs or keep them on file. If you are unable to apply online please contact the person named in the advertisement for the post you are interested in.
 
We are committed to offering an interview to all applicants with a disability who meet the minimum criteria for the above position and will support reasonable adjustments wherever possible.  In addition, whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from candidates who are male, from black and minority ethnic backgrounds or who have a disability, as these are currently under-represented in our workforce.
 
We are committed to equal opportunities in employment. The policies and practices of the Trust aim to promote an environment that is free from all forms of unlawful or unfair discrimination and values the diversity of all people. At the heart of our policy, we seek to treat people fairly, flexibly and with dignity and respect.

Thank you for your interest in The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, we look forward to receiving your application for employment.

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