Job Description

Do you have an eye for detail? Can you work to deadlines? Do you enjoy following instructions and patterns? Do you want to help patients get the right treatment as quickly as possible?
We are looking for a full time Senior Medical Laboratory Assistant to support enhanced access to NHS healthcare to work over a 7 day shift pattern within the hours of 08:00 - 22:00, including weekends and bank holidays on a rota.
Quick and accurate test result from the laboratory play a vital role in diagnosis and treatment of patients. Not just here at the RUH but also for medical centres and GP surgeries in the local area. The MLA's play an important practical role in this service.
As an MLA your day will be made up of:

• Receiving and unpacking, labelling, sorting and centrifugation of blood tube samples ready for analysis.
• Checking, cleaning and maintaining equipment, such as a viscometer and Cepheid rapid PCR.
• Communicating with Biomedical Scientist staff and supporting the Blood Sciences service
• Entering data onto laboratory system- both paper and digital.
• Participate in the Covid testing process running analytical methods on multiple platforms.

Main duties of the job

• All pre-analytical sample preparation (including unpacking, sorting, booking-in, preparation of aliquots, storage of samples and making decisions on sample quality and labelling).
• Decision making on ambiguous requests, as defined by standard operating procedures.
• Entry of Patient Identification Data (PID) and test details into the laboratory computer system, a high degree of concentration is required as errors at this stage may not be corrected before results are released to the requesting clinician.
• Resolving PID problems e.g. mislabelling, mislaid specimens and incorrectly requested specimens.
• Participation in distribution and receipt of stores goods and stock control
• Sending of samples via the post, following the Postal regulation policy.
• Filing of Samples, blocks and Request forms using either manual or electronic systems
• Cleaning & disinfecting of work area including associated equipment.
• Dealing with telephone enquiries in a polite, sensitive and professional manner.
• Telephoning results to GP surgeries.

About us
At the RUH we're proud to put people at the heart of what we do, working together as one team to make a difference for our patients, each other, and our community. No matter what your role is, we value everyone's contribution in supporting the exceptional, person-centred care we pride ourselves on.
We are committed to creating a compassionate and inclusive environment. This can be seen in our growing community of staff networks - celebrating successes and creating opportunities to listen and learn. We value our differences, champion kindness and civility, and truly believe that diversity makes us stronger.
A culture of learning, developing and innovating is the thread that runs throughout our whole organisation. We want to support you to thrive, taking your career to its full potential.
We value staff wellbeing, with a well-established programme of support. We believe in a holistic approach spanning all aspects of living a healthy life, including physical, emotional, spiritual and financial wellbeing. We've even got a pool!
We are committed to supporting you and hope you want to join our team. In the meantime, find out more about living and working the beautiful historic city of Bath, learn about our extensive package of staff benefits, and read about how we're providing healthcare fit for the future with the landmark Dyson Cancer Centre and our passion for research.
Details
Date posted
10 June 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 3
Salary
24,625 to 25,674 a year per annum, pro rata
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
427-7229903
Job locations
Royal United Hospital
Combe Park
Bath
BA1 3NG
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the and Person Specification attached for further information on the role. Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the and Person Specification attached for further information on the role.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Grade C/4 GCSE Maths and English or equivalent A Level/NVQ level 3/ IBMS Support staff Certificate of achievement part 1or equivalent level in Science subject

Desirable

• 5 GCSE grade C/5 2 A levels/NVQ level 3 or equivalent one in human biology or related to the medical laboratory field.
• 12 months non NHS laboratory experience

Experience
Essential

• Previous NHS laboratory experience of at least 6 months full-time or equivalent with a broad knowledge of sample requirements and pre-analytical processes.

Desirable

• 12 months non NHS laboratory experience. Experience of working with scientific instruments and analysers both manual and automated

supervision
Essential

• experience of supervising other staff

specific skills
Essential

• data entry/IT skills

specific skills
Essential

• Able to work quickly and accurately under pressure.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Grade C/4 GCSE Maths and English or equivalent A Level/NVQ level 3/ IBMS Support staff Certificate of achievement part 1or equivalent level in Science subject

Desirable

• 5 GCSE grade C/5 2 A levels/NVQ level 3 or equivalent one in human biology or related to the medical laboratory field.
• 12 months non NHS laboratory experience

Experience
Essential

• Previous NHS laboratory experience of at least 6 months full-time or equivalent with a broad knowledge of sample requirements and pre-analytical processes.

Desirable

• 12 months non NHS laboratory experience. Experience of working with scientific instruments and analysers both manual and automated

supervision
Essential

• experience of supervising other staff

specific skills
Essential

• data entry/IT skills

specific skills
Essential

• Able to work quickly and accurately under pressure.