Job Description

Watford General Hospital, Watford


Up to 25,800 per annum DOE

Job Title:

Medical Laboratory Assistant

Department:

Sample Reception

Location:

Watford General Hospital, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD18 0HB

Contract /Hours:

Permanent, Full-time (37.5 hours per week)

Salary range:

Up to 25,800 per annum DOE

About us:

Sonic Healthcare

is an internationally renowned healthcare provider with a demonstrable track record of medical services across the world. Headquartered in Sydney, Australia, Sonic is an ASX Top 50 company that has grown to become one of the world's leading healthcare providers, specialising in pathology, radiology and primary care medical centres. We have operations in Australia, the USA, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Ireland and New Zealand.

Sonic Healthcare UK

encompasses the two main entities in the UK, The Doctors Laboratory (TDL) and Health Services Laboratories (HSL). HSL is a partnership between The Doctors Laboratory (TDL), Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust and University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH). HSL was formed to provide pathology services to the NHS Trusts and has expanded further to provide services to other NHS Trusts. Over 3,500 staff work at Sonic Healthcare UK, primarily under the TDL or HSL banner.

Our purpose is to deliver medically-led diagnostics, innovation, value and long-term investment to healthcare. With our core laboratory based at The Halo Building in London WC1H 9AX, we also have an expanding site in Manchester as well as smaller hospital-based laboratories across the country. We maintain rigorously high standards of quality, whilst also delivering efficiencies to healthcare through careful workforce planning, pioneering technology and significant investment in infrastructure and IT.

About the role:

A vacancy has arisen for a Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) in our Sample Reception Department based at ESL in Watford General Hospital and Hemel Hempstead Hospital, following the implementation of a new Pathology services programme commissioned by the Herts and West Essex Integrated Care Board, with services started on the 1st March 2025.

This role is for a permanent worker required to assist biomedical scientists working at Watford Essential Services Laboratory/Hemel Hempstead Hospital and may be of value to individuals seeking practical laboratory experience in a busy diagnostic environment, especially those considering a future career in Biomedical Science or related health fields. The role provides an excellent opportunity to gain insight into routine laboratory procedures, specimen handling, and quality standards within an accredited clinical setting.

The permanent role may include unsocial hours enhancement and there is an expectation that the successful candidate will be required to rotate into 3 different shifts (8-4:30 pm / 9-5:30 pm / 11:30-8 pm) to discharge their role effectively.

The role will involve performing routine preparation and tests, including basic analytical processes, accurately and efficiently under the supervision of the MLA Supervisors and qualified BMS staff, bringing any unusual test requests or results to the attention of the appropriate member of staff.

The successful candidate will also be required to enter patient requests into the pathology computer system (WinPath and Helix) and carry out clerical and technical tasks in accordance with sample handling procedures. Staff will be required to assist in handling and distribution of incoming and outgoing goods, equipment, specimens and reagents as well as managing the laboratory users' Helpdesk.

The laboratory operates a 24/7 service so the successful candidate will be expected to participate in shifts to cover this timeframe.

At HSL we offer a variety of excellent staff benefits including:

Training and development opportunities

- supporting professional development

Annual salary review

- No banding restrictions: As we are a private company we are not restricted by salary bandings and so are able to negotiate appropriate salaries based on experience. This also means that annual salary reviews do not hit a band ceiling.

Discounted gym membership

- we have a corporate gym membership scheme with Better Gyms

Cash healthcare plan

- cash back on a variety of healthcare costs including dentist and opticians

Sick Pay Entitlement

- 5 paid days in the first year of employment, 20 days thereafter

Permanent Health Insurance and Death in Service Cover

Life Assurance

- providing salary continuation for long term illness (six months qualifying period)

Employee Assistance Programme

- supporting staff wellbeing

Season Ticket Loan Scheme

- interest free loan for the cost of annual travel ticket

Perkbox

- Access to additional staff perks and benefits such as high street discounts

Company Pension Scheme -

company and staff contributions which increase with service

Competitive annual leave allowance

- 28 days

Flexible working hours

- we support and offer flexibility around shift patterns and working schedule


Please read the job description and person specification carefully and ensure that your application reflects the knowledge, skills and experience required.

We respect and value the diversity of our staff and welcome applications from diverse communities.

PLEASE NOTE: WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CLOSE THIS VACANCY AT ANY TIME EVEN IF A CLOSING DATE IS SHOWN HERE OR IN ANY OTHER MEDIA


Vacancy ID : 036246 Closing Date : 21-Nov-2025


Contact Person : Javier Martin-Rueda Contact Email : javier.martin-rueda@nhs.net