The Senior Medical Laboratory Assistant (Band 3) will collaborate effectively with team members to ensure seamless operations and uphold the Trust's commitment to excellence in patient care. As an MLA you will have some knowledge of biomedical procedures and will be responsible for processing patient specimens for biomedical testing and maintaining all records involved in the diagnostic pathway.

You will provide support for and assist with the induction and training of new entrant medical laboratory staff and support with Q-pulse and the laboratory quality management system where appropriate, and deal with routine enquiries and know when to seek advice or when to refer non-routine matters to a manager.

Scientific and Technical Duties

• Efficiently receive and prioritize samples, sorting them into appropriate categories for collection by relevant staff.
• Where appropriate, participate in the identification, preparation, and separation of blood and urine samples into secondary containers, adhering to health and safety policies for handling potentially infectious materials, including the safe use of concentrated hydrochloric acid and Dry ice.
• Utilize laboratory equipment, such as automatic pipettes, balances, and centrifuges, if required, with precision, including the recording of refrigerator temperatures.
• To monitor and store consumables overseeing a procedure of stock rotation and support the department in maintaining appropriate stock levels.

• To demonstrate awareness and compliance with Trust policies and procedures such as sickness reporting, annual leave requesting, and departmental policies and procedures.
• Be familiar with the Health and Safety policies of the Trust and the department and ensure that they are followed to maintain a safe working environment for all employees and visitors.
• Report all incidents/complaints involving staff, patients and visitors to a senior member of staff in accordance with Trust policies and assist in any investigations as required

• Educated to GCSE in Science, English and Maths or equivalent level 3
• Previous laboratory experience
• Good computer skills
• Good customer service skills
• Ability to work systematically and under pressure in a busy environment
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Willing to work flexibly, ability to take part in working rotas including late shift, weekends and bank holidays
• Good verbal and written communication skills

• NVQ 3 in clinical laboratory support or equivalent
• Completion of a medical laboratory assistant competency portfolio or evidence of laboratory working and competency

Full induction/training provided in the first weeks of starting employment.

Development opportunity: possibility of progressing to higher band roles