The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

Medical Laboratory Assistant

The closing date is 08 December 2025

Job summary

The Royal Marsden has a vital role in championing change and improvement in cancer care through research and innovation, education and leading-edge practice. We are incredibly proud of our international reputation for pushing the boundaries and for our ground breaking work ensuring our patients receive the very best and latest in cancer treatment and care.

We are seeking a confident, approachable and resourceful person to join the Cellular Pathology service in Chelsea.

This is a very high profile department working to demanding turnaround times and providing services both to Royal Marsden Clinical teams as well as acting as a reference centre for other hospitals in the UK and offering expert opinions to institutions worldwide.

Applicants must have GCSE's or O levels including a science subject and have experience working in a relevant laboratory. This is full time post. The Trust encourages and supports continuing professional and personal development and Pathology runs a CPD Club

Main duties of the job

The post-holder will perform a wide variety of support tasks within the Histopathology laboratory under the supervision and direction of the registered biomedical scientist staff which will include archiving of paraffin blocks and stained slides, routine solution rotation on processing and staining machines, specimen reception and disposal, packaging and collection of specimens transported between sites, collection of post.The post holder will undertake basic technical tasks as directed by the Histopathology Laboratory Manager and senior staff and in line with departmental SOPs.

About us

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 4,500 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals - one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey - as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital.

At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That's why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.

At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits, learning and development opportunities and clear career pathways. There are opportunities to work flexibly across a range of areas and specialities and we welcome flexible working requests from point of hire to support employees work life balance. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our on-going achievements.

Details

Date posted

17 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£30,546 to £32,207 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

282-SA984

Job locations

The Royal Marsden Chelsea

Chelsea

SW3 6JJ


Job description

Job responsibilities

For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification:

To be able to work within specific areas of the department, with appropriate training:

2.1 Specimen Dissection

Receipt and checking of samples against request forms Assisting Pathologists in the diagnostic sampling of fresh and formalin fixed tissue Ensuring cassettes are appropriately labelled Assisting in the preparation of appropriately identified blocks of tissue for diagnostic work Understanding and appropriate use of Vacuum Infiltration Processors (VIPs) Assisting in the embedding of processed tissue blocks into paraffin wax Use and routine daily/ weekly maintenance of VIPs

Job description

Job responsibilities

For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification:

To be able to work within specific areas of the department, with appropriate training:

2.1 Specimen Dissection

Receipt and checking of samples against request forms Assisting Pathologists in the diagnostic sampling of fresh and formalin fixed tissue Ensuring cassettes are appropriately labelled Assisting in the preparation of appropriately identified blocks of tissue for diagnostic work Understanding and appropriate use of Vacuum Infiltration Processors (VIPs) Assisting in the embedding of processed tissue blocks into paraffin wax Use and routine daily/ weekly maintenance of VIPs

Person Specification

Skills and Abilities

Essential

  • Ability to write clearly
  • Possess basic IT skills

Desirable

  • Basic educational qualification in mathematics

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Ability to undertake a support role
  • Able to follow written instructions

Specific Experience

Essential

  • Good basic education to include GCSE / O Levels / A Levels
  • Willing to undergo relevant training
  • Experience of working in a relevant routine laboratory
  • Able to understand and follow Standard Operating Procedures
Person Specification

Skills and Abilities

Essential

  • Ability to write clearly
  • Possess basic IT skills

Desirable

  • Basic educational qualification in mathematics

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Ability to undertake a support role
  • Able to follow written instructions

Specific Experience

Essential

  • Good basic education to include GCSE / O Levels / A Levels
  • Willing to undergo relevant training
  • Experience of working in a relevant routine laboratory
  • Able to understand and follow Standard Operating Procedures

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

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Royal Marsden Chelsea

Chelsea

SW3 6JJ


Employer's website

https://www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/working-royal-marsden (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Royal Marsden Chelsea

Chelsea

SW3 6JJ


Employer's website

https://www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/working-royal-marsden (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Histology Laboratory Manager, Chelsea

Coralie Pennaneac'h

Coralie.Pennaneach@rmh.nhs.uk

Details

Date posted

17 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£30,546 to £32,207 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

282-SA984

Job locations

The Royal Marsden Chelsea

Chelsea

SW3 6JJ


Supporting documents

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