Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust

Medical Laboratory Assistant

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS ROLE WILL NOT BE SPONSORED. Candidates must have the right to work in the UK independently, as visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

North Kent Pathology Service

Pathology Sample Reception

Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) Higher Level

Full-time permanent 37.5 hrs.

(24-7 Shift system including early, day, evening, night and weekend shifts)

Job Summary:

To perform a range of routine and non-routine tasks within Pathology, for example: greeting visitors and patients, accepting deliveries, data entry, distributing paper reports and other documentation, numbering up clinical samples, liaising with external laboratories to obtain outstanding referral results, entering patient results into the Laboratory system, advising patients and service users on appropriate tests and sample containers, support and train less experienced staff, referring samples to specialist laboratories, operating centrifuges/analysers, working with the research team and leading in the laboratory procedures of clinical trials, dealing with private patients invoicing, dealing with the sensitive disposal of foetal remains and answering telephone enquiries.

This post is not eligible for a Sponsorship Visa.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will work within a variety of different areas within the department including the urgent bench, referrals, miscellaneous, Histology and routine blood sciences.

The successful candidate should have demonstrable experience within a customer service environment and/or demonstrable and relevant laboratory experience. Computer literate, good keyboard skills and attention to detail are essential.

The candidate must be fully flexible and able to fulfil the 24-7 service and shift requirements.

The role will involve various tasks including checking patient demographics, inputting and retrieving patient data, sample handling, answering the telephone and dealing with members of the general public as well as other health care professionals.

As part of a busy team, you will carry out a range of routine pre and post-analytical tasks to support service delivery. You will also be expected to perform quality tasks to help maintain the status of our UKAS accredited department.

Sample Reception

Central Specimen Reception is the front line of Pathology; the successful applicant will be responsible for any sample that comes into Pathology, ensuring that the sample is handled effectively so that clinicians receive fast, accurate results for their patients.

Ensuring that samples that require referral are separated and stored appropriately, prior to referring the samples to various hospitals around the country.

About us

We are committed to being an inclusive and diverse employer. We strive to employ people who reflect the communities we serve, and aim to create an inclusive culture where everyone can reach their full potential. Whatever your race, ethnicity, belief, generation, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, disability or experience, you'll appreciate the opportunities we give you to work in an inclusive atmosphere. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences to build on the progress we've achieved to make our Trust diverse and the best place to work. We celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that help us overcome challenges and embrace new possibilities.

We are dedicated to using our Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) approach as our shared organisation model of change to enhance our services and ensure excellence in patient care.

If you are considering applying for a role, please be aware that as an NHS Employee you may have contact with vulnerable service users. We strongly encourage that all of our staff are double vaccinated against COVID-19 and are vaccinated annually against Flu, in order to protect the health and safety of our staff and our patients. Your commitment will help us to put the safety and care of our patients first, as well as helping us to protect you and your colleagues.

Details

Date posted

29 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£25,883 to £26,958 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

252-7175848

Job locations

Medway Maritime Hospital

Windmill road

Gillingham

ME7 5NY


Job description

Job responsibilities

General responsibilitiesClinical ResponsibilitiesManagerial responsibilitiesProfessional responsibilitiesEducation and development responsibilities

For a detailed description of the Job roles and responsibilities please see the attached job description.

Job description

Job responsibilities

General responsibilitiesClinical ResponsibilitiesManagerial responsibilitiesProfessional responsibilitiesEducation and development responsibilities

For a detailed description of the Job roles and responsibilities please see the attached job description.

Person Specification

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Essential

  • GCSE's including English Language, Mathematics and a science subject
  • Computer literate and good keyboard skills
  • NVQ Level 3 or equivalent level plus theoretical or applied training to diploma equivalent level of experience

Desirable

  • Willingness to undertake further training as required by the role

KNOWLEDGE

Essential

  • Basic knowledge of biomedical procedures
  • Ability to multitask
  • Knowledge and understanding of CSR functions

Desirable

  • Familiar with other IT Databases and laboratory IT systems

EXPERIENCE

Essential

  • Previous experience in healthcare provision or customer service
  • Achieving targets within a specified timeframe

Desirable

  • Knowledge of departmental equipment and methods within pathology services and CSR

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

Essential

  • Good attention to detail
  • Well developed concentration skills
  • Ability to work accurately under pressure
  • Resilience and calm
  • Flexible and able to adapt and react positively to change
Person Specification

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Essential

  • GCSE's including English Language, Mathematics and a science subject
  • Computer literate and good keyboard skills
  • NVQ Level 3 or equivalent level plus theoretical or applied training to diploma equivalent level of experience

Desirable

  • Willingness to undertake further training as required by the role

KNOWLEDGE

Essential

  • Basic knowledge of biomedical procedures
  • Ability to multitask
  • Knowledge and understanding of CSR functions

Desirable

  • Familiar with other IT Databases and laboratory IT systems

EXPERIENCE

Essential

  • Previous experience in healthcare provision or customer service
  • Achieving targets within a specified timeframe

Desirable

  • Knowledge of departmental equipment and methods within pathology services and CSR

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

Essential

  • Good attention to detail
  • Well developed concentration skills
  • Ability to work accurately under pressure
  • Resilience and calm
  • Flexible and able to adapt and react positively to change

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust

Address

Medway Maritime Hospital

Windmill road

Gillingham

ME7 5NY


Employer's website

https://www.dgt.nhs.uk/working-for-us (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust

Address

Medway Maritime Hospital

Windmill road

Gillingham

ME7 5NY


Employer's website

https://www.dgt.nhs.uk/working-for-us (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Central Specimen Reception Manager

Rachel Tremain

r.tremain@nhs.net

01322428100

Details

Date posted

29 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£25,883 to £26,958 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

252-7175848

Job locations

Medway Maritime Hospital

Windmill road

Gillingham

ME7 5NY


Supporting documents

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