Job Description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a full time position as a Medical Laboratory Assistant / Healthcare Science Assistant.
You will support the Biomedical Scientists and microbiology team in providing a clinical technical service to achieve efficient and effective patient care. Working as part of a team, to carry out the receipt, booking-in, processing and testing of specimens to provide a diagnostic microbiology service. Previous experience in laboratories is essential.
You will be working in a team of 26 Biomedical Scientists, 6 Associate Practitioners and 24 MLAs, to process approx. 500,000 microbiology requests per annum.
Main duties of the job

• To work in an effective and efficient way following the appropriate Trust and directorate policies, procedures and guidelines including the departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Prepares and processes patient specimens.
• Prepares urine samples for microscopy.
• Prepares mycology specimens for sendaway.
• Inoculates patient specimen onto culture media for incubation.
• Separates blood samples and sets up tests.
• Prepares chlamydia specimens for immunoassay machine
• Selects single colonies and inoculates test cards for processing through the VITEK identification machine.
• Perform specimen reception tasks including entering accurately patient/specimen details onto the departmental computer system maintaining a valid database.
• Maintain and support the effective use of available resources (equipment and stock) in an efficient way

Closing date of applications: 30 September 2025
Interview date: 14 October 2025
About us
As a trusted organisation at the heart of our communities, we recognise the important role we can play in supporting the public, patients, our own people and local partners in achieving the best of health for the local population and the communities in which they live by providing Exceptional Care Together
Our fundamental Values of Compassion, Openness and Excellence underpin how we intend to work as a Trust and the associated behaviours are becoming embedded in all aspects of how we work.
In return we will offer:

• Development opportunities, both professional and leadership development
• On-going support from recruitment to when you join our team and beyond.
• Staff benefits including employee assistance programme, discounted gym membership, onsite fitness classes, car schemes

Key Facts:

• We see on average 4810 OP appointments a day.
• We are the 4th busiest Trauma & Orthopaedic outpatients department in England - an average of 2077 per week.
• An average of 1115 patients are seen in A&Es across our network every day - 3rd largest in the country.
• Our hospitals admit an average of 195 emergency patients daily.
• Last year we undertook almost 33,700 planned surgical operations in our 57 operating theatres.
• We are one of only 7 Trusts nationally with more than 50 operating theatres.
• We carry out more than 140 elective procedures each working day.
• UHDB is a research active University Hospital with a large and varied portfolio of clinical trials and research opportunities for all staff.

Details
Date posted
16 September 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 3
Salary
24,937 to 26,598 a year pro rata pa
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
320-CDCS-3843
Job locations
Royal Derby Hospital
Uttoxeter Road
Derby
DE22 3NE
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see attached Job description and Person Specification. To apply please click APPLY FOR THIS JOB this link will take you to the TRAC Recruitment Site. You will need to register if you do not already have an account.
Following the recent update on UK immigration policy for those on a Health and Care Visa or Skilled Worker Visa, please click on the link to check your eligibility before applying for this post as we may be unable to provide sponsorshipImpacts of the changes to the UK immigration policy | NHS Employers
Your application (for shortlisting purposes) is assessed based on the Person Specification in the job advert (below). Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see attached Job description and Person Specification. To apply please click APPLY FOR THIS JOB this link will take you to the TRAC Recruitment Site. You will need to register if you do not already have an account.
Following the recent update on UK immigration policy for those on a Health and Care Visa or Skilled Worker Visa, please click on the link to check your eligibility before applying for this post as we may be unable to provide sponsorshipImpacts of the changes to the UK immigration policy | NHS Employers
Your application (for shortlisting purposes) is assessed based on the Person Specification in the job advert (below).
Person Specification
MLA1
Essential

• NVQ level 2 (GCSE'S) qualification (or equivalent)

Desirable

• Data Entry experience
• Involvement in projects, training or MLA support services
• Awareness of health and safety requirements

Experience
Essential

• Previous MLA experience

Desirable

• Previous NHS experience

Skills
Essential

• Ability to use correctly (as per Standard Operating Procedure) expensive equipment including the Bactec blood culture machine, Vitek identification machine, anaerobic and microaerophilic cabinets, autoclaves and UF5000 machines.
• Ability to perform routine maintenance of essential equipment. Reporting of malfunction and errors.

Desirable

• Audit and order supplies and store at correct temperatures.
• Assists in training new staff

Person Specification
MLA1
Essential

• NVQ level 2 (GCSE'S) qualification (or equivalent)

Desirable

• Data Entry experience
• Involvement in projects, training or MLA support services
• Awareness of health and safety requirements

Experience
Essential

• Previous MLA experience

Desirable

• Previous NHS experience

Skills
Essential

• Ability to use correctly (as per Standard Operating Procedure) expensive equipment including the Bactec blood culture machine, Vitek identification machine, anaerobic and microaerophilic cabinets, autoclaves and UF5000 machines.
• Ability to perform routine maintenance of essential equipment. Reporting of malfunction and errors.

Desirable

• Audit and order supplies and store at correct temperatures.
• Assists in training new staff

Skills Required