Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Medical Laboratory Assistant

The closing date is 02 December 2025

Job summary

Applications are invited from a dynamic, motivated, reliable and enthusiastic person to join the Specimen Reception Team at the Royal Surrey Foundation Trust in Guildford as a Medical Laboratory Assistant.

An MLA is the first point of contact therefore good communication skills, a friendly and approachable personality and the ability to demonstrate excellent customer relations are therefore essential. You should have good attention to detail, manual dexterity, excellent IT skills, the ability to work well under pressure and a good secondary education in English, Math's and Science.This role is not a training role, therefore no previous lab experience is necessary and full training will be provided.Duties include receipt, checking and sorting of specimens, labelling and preparation for analysis, inputting patient and test data into the laboratory computer system, handling telephone enquiries, distribution of pathology consumables, as well as general office duties such as photocopying and filing.

The specimen reception service operates 8am to 7pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 5pm Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays.

We are looking for applicants who can work anytime within these hours; the actual hours worked will be dependent on service and operational requirements.

Main duties of the job

o Duties include receipt, checking and sorting of specimens, labelling and preparation for analysis.

o Entering patient and test information onto the laboratory computer system and handling telephone enquires.

o Assisting with the receipt, unpacking, sorting and distribution of pathology consumbales as well as general office duties such as photocopying and filing.

About us

Royal Surrey is a compassionate and collaborative acute and community Trust. Recognising that our 5000 colleagues are our greatest strength, we offer a comprehensive health and wellbeing program along with a commitment to developing and advancing your career. Our diverse and welcoming Royal Surrey family will ensure you that you feel valued from your initial interview through your entire tenure.

We are clinically led and provide joined up care by bridging the gap between hospital and community services alongside regional specialist cancer care. Our main acute hospital site is in Guildford with community hospital sites at Milford, Haslemere and Cranleigh. We provide adult community health services in homes across Guildford and Waverley.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) have given us an overall rating of Outstanding.

Royal Surrey has a strong reputation and history to build on. We are proud of our achievements and we are investing in our colleagues through our commitment to supporting professional development as well as investing more than £45 million in our physical environment and new equipment in the next few years. There has never been a better time to join us.

Although it isn't the Trusts normal practice, adverts may close early, so you are encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible.

A video about the Royal Surrey - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R96pMboIYdo

Details

Date posted

18 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£25,768 a year per annum pro rata - includes high cost area supplements (HCAS)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

384-AR-EMF19493

Job locations

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Guildford

GU2 7XX


Job description

Job responsibilities

Berkshire & Surrey Pathology Services (BSPS) is a network venture between four partner Trusts Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, Ashford & St. Peters NHS Foundation Trust and Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust.

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust will be the primary site, however cross site working and travel may be required across the network.

Working as part of the Specimen Reception team to provide an efficient and effective service to all users of the Pathology department, ensuring the rapid and timely turnaround of Pathology samples by receiving, labelling and entering onto the Pathology computer system.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Berkshire & Surrey Pathology Services (BSPS) is a network venture between four partner Trusts Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, Ashford & St. Peters NHS Foundation Trust and Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust.

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust will be the primary site, however cross site working and travel may be required across the network.

Working as part of the Specimen Reception team to provide an efficient and effective service to all users of the Pathology department, ensuring the rapid and timely turnaround of Pathology samples by receiving, labelling and entering onto the Pathology computer system.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • GSCE's (or equivalent) in English and Mathematics at grade C/ Level 5 and above

Desirable

  • Basic knowledge of Biology & Chemistry
  • RSA I
  • Medical Terminology

Knowledge

Desirable

  • Awareness of basic Health and Safety regulations
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • GSCE's (or equivalent) in English and Mathematics at grade C/ Level 5 and above

Desirable

  • Basic knowledge of Biology & Chemistry
  • RSA I
  • Medical Terminology

Knowledge

Desirable

  • Awareness of basic Health and Safety regulations

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Guildford

GU2 7XX


Employer's website

https://www.royalsurrey.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Guildford

GU2 7XX


Employer's website

https://www.royalsurrey.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Specimen Reception and Pathology Admin Manager

Lyn Pugsley

lyn.pugsley@nhs.net

01483402691

Details

Date posted

18 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£25,768 a year per annum pro rata - includes high cost area supplements (HCAS)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

384-AR-EMF19493

Job locations

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Guildford

GU2 7XX


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