Job Description

Band 2: 24,465
Full time: 37.5 hours per week
Permanent contract
Do you have great customer service skills and willing to go the extra mile? Are you friendly and able to work as part of a team? If the answer is yes, then we would love to hear from you.
We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic team player to join a busy department as a Medical Laboratory Assistant to support scientific and medical staff in providing a histopathology service to our patients.
Main duties of the job
You will undertake a range of duties which will include specimen reception and the checking of patient information. Attention to detail is essential. You will be entering cases into the laboratory information management system (LIMS). You will be required to assist scientific and medical staff by taking notes and provide other assistance during specimen dissection.You will be required to help maintain laboratory equipment as well as maintaining adequate consumable levels within the department. Some heavy lifting is required.Full training will be provided, and accurate keyboard skills are essential.
Please note that the role does not offer support for the IBMS Registration Portfolio or similar therefore unsuitable for applicants looking to pursue a higher career in biomedical science.
About us
Here at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, we are proud to provide expert, compassionate care for our local population. We are ranked as the third in the country for research, embedding education and training across the organisation. Our main hub is the Queen Alexandra Hospital, which is one of the largest hospitals on the south coast employing over 8,700 staff.
Our patients come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes our hospital stronger. If you share our values and our enthusiasm for getting it right for patients, colleagues, and our community, you will find a home at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust.
The health and wellbeing of our staff is at the forefront of everything we do. We are proud to be able to offer our staff some fantastic benefits including our on-site Nursery, access to our free Beach Hut for those long summer days, our on-site Wellness Centre including a gym and a swimming pool, access to our fantastic staff networks including LGBTQ, Race Equality and DisAbility, and awards ceremonies to recognise your achievements. We believe we can offer support to all of our staff when they need it the most.
Details
Date posted
17 October 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 2
Salary
24,465 to 24,465 a year
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
REF1779Y
Job locations
Queen Alexandra Hospital
Cosham, Portsmouth
PO6 3LY
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key Responsibilities

• Specimen reception and maintaining accurate records.
• Handle enquiries (telephone and face-to-face) in an effective and efficient manner and according to departmental procedures.
• Booking on/requesting of cases on LIMS.
• Assist specimen dissection team and with the processing of specimens.
• Equipment maintenance.
• Stock and consumables management.
• Archiving of blocks and slides.
• Complete all training and always follow standard operating procedures.
• Helpthe department maintain UKAS accreditation.

If this sounds just what you are looking for then we would genuinely love to hear from you!
Please see attachedJob description for additional information. Job description
Job responsibilities
Key Responsibilities

• Specimen reception and maintaining accurate records.
• Handle enquiries (telephone and face-to-face) in an effective and efficient manner and according to departmental procedures.
• Booking on/requesting of cases on LIMS.
• Assist specimen dissection team and with the processing of specimens.
• Equipment maintenance.
• Stock and consumables management.
• Archiving of blocks and slides.
• Complete all training and always follow standard operating procedures.
• Helpthe department maintain UKAS accreditation.

If this sounds just what you are looking for then we would genuinely love to hear from you!
Please see attachedJob description for additional information.
Person Specification
Additional criteria
Essential

• Experience:
• MS Office including Word, Excel and Outlook
• Experience of working flexibly and as part of a team
• An understanding of the political sensitivities of the Trust
• Ability to demonstrate confidentiality and trustworthiness.
• Ability to demonstrate a high degree of concentration
• Deal calmly and politely with members of hospital staff who are working in areas
• Ability to juggle many priorities at one time, whilst remaining calm.
• Prepared to handle clinical tissue samples
• Skills & Knowledge:
• Able to work using own initiative
• Able to demonstrate confidentiality and trustworthiness
• Knowledge of medical terminology desirable
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstration of manual dexterity through previous employment/interests.
• Demonstration of excellent numeracy skills through previous experience or employment
• Good hand to eye co-ordination
• Conscientious, methodical approach to duties with attention to detail
• Demonstration of good interpersonal skills.

Experience
Essential

• Experience with electronic handling of data

Desirable

• Previous experience working in a laboratory

Qualifications
Essential

• Good general education including GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics (grade A* to C or 4 to 9)

Desirable

• Science GCSE desirable (grade A* to C or 4 to 9)
• BTEC or NVQ 2 (Pathology Support) or equivalent

Person Specification
Additional criteria
Essential

• Experience:
• MS Office including Word, Excel and Outlook
• Experience of working flexibly and as part of a team
• An understanding of the political sensitivities of the Trust
• Ability to demonstrate confidentiality and trustworthiness.
• Ability to demonstrate a high degree of concentration
• Deal calmly and politely with members of hospital staff who are working in areas
• Ability to juggle many priorities at one time, whilst remaining calm.
• Prepared to handle clinical tissue samples
• Skills & Knowledge:
• Able to work using own initiative
• Able to demonstrate confidentiality and trustworthiness
• Knowledge of medical terminology desirable
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstration of manual dexterity through previous employment/interests.
• Demonstration of excellent numeracy skills through previous experience or employment
• Good hand to eye co-ordination
• Conscientious, methodical approach to duties with attention to detail
• Demonstration of good interpersonal skills.

Experience
Essential

• Experience with electronic handling of data

Desirable

• Previous experience working in a laboratory

Qualifications
Essential

• Good general education including GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics (grade A* to C or 4 to 9)

Desirable

• Science GCSE desirable (grade A* to C or 4 to 9)
• BTEC or NVQ 2 (Pathology Support) or equivalent

Skills Required