County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Senior Medical Laboratory Assistant

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

We are seeking to employ a dedicated and enthusiastic senior medical laboratory assistant to work in our busy microbiology department. Previous laboratory experience is essential and NHS experience is preferred. Previous supervisory experience is desirable as this post involves the training and supervision of MLA colleagues.

The successful candidate should also demonstrate excellent communication, interpersonal and organisational skills. The post holder will demonstrate computer and keyboard skills, good numeracy & literacy and a high standard of verbal & written english. You will be able to carry out registration of requests accurately, handle telephone enquiries and assist with clerical tasks.

You will need to be able to follow departmental standard operating procedures. Laboratory based activity under the supervision of biomedical scientists will also be required.

The post holder will need to have a flexible approach to working as this role involves participation in the 24/7 shift rota.

Main duties of the job

The main tasks include:

Prioritising urgent samples to avoid delays and ensure best patient care.

Receipt of samples from hospitals in the Trust, GPs and other service users.

Registration of high volumes of patient, sample and test information into the lab computer system and ensuring all patient information is input into our system accurately and that the correct tests are selected. There are 1000s of different test codes and you must have excellent attention to detail to select the correct codes.

Preparing and correctly loading the samples on to laboratory analysers and organising samples to be processed in a timely manner.

Answering reception and telephone queries and liaising with other Trust staff and the general public - requiring excellent customer service and communication skills.

Receipting deliveries into the department, unpacking and organising the stock as requested (this job role will require multiple boxes or cartons of up to 20kg each to be moved).

Safely using the autoclave within the department to sterilise waste and safely discard through the correct waste streams.

Training and supervision support for MLAs.

About us

If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.

We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.

Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success.

For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.

Details

Date posted

13 August 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£25,760 to £27,476 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C9439-2627-RP-1361

Job locations

University Hospital Of North Durham

North Road

DURHAM

DH1 5TW

United Kingdom


Job description

Job responsibilities

Following full training the post holders will be an integral part of the microbiology department, responsible for processing a variety of microbiological samples using both manual and automated systems in routine bacteriology & molecular areas of the department. This will also include dealing with telephone calls from service users.

This is a supervised role and will include carrying out laboratory, clerical, logistics and technical duties.

Post holders should be able to demonstrate good keyboard skills and be computer literate and have experience of working in a reception or clerical environment.

The role requires some manual handling work so you must be able to lift boxes up to 20kg.

Excellent communication skills are essential and you must be able to ask questions and take on board information given. Ability to plan and prioritise your own workload is essential.

Post holders must be able to work on a 24/7 shift rota which includes day shifts, late shifts, night shifts, weekend shifts (day & night), bank holiday shifts (day & night) including Christmas. This is a requirement of the post. Day shifts and late shifts are 7.5 hours. Night shifts, weekends and bank holidays shifts are 12 hours in length.

Due to the high amount of samples we receive this role will include high volumes of data input so the ability to work in an accurate, methodical way is essential.

If you are well organised, have excellent attention to detail, are a good communicator, a team player, are conscientious and flexible this job may suit you.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Following full training the post holders will be an integral part of the microbiology department, responsible for processing a variety of microbiological samples using both manual and automated systems in routine bacteriology & molecular areas of the department. This will also include dealing with telephone calls from service users.

This is a supervised role and will include carrying out laboratory, clerical, logistics and technical duties.

Post holders should be able to demonstrate good keyboard skills and be computer literate and have experience of working in a reception or clerical environment.

The role requires some manual handling work so you must be able to lift boxes up to 20kg.

Excellent communication skills are essential and you must be able to ask questions and take on board information given. Ability to plan and prioritise your own workload is essential.

Post holders must be able to work on a 24/7 shift rota which includes day shifts, late shifts, night shifts, weekend shifts (day & night), bank holiday shifts (day & night) including Christmas. This is a requirement of the post. Day shifts and late shifts are 7.5 hours. Night shifts, weekends and bank holidays shifts are 12 hours in length.

Due to the high amount of samples we receive this role will include high volumes of data input so the ability to work in an accurate, methodical way is essential.

If you are well organised, have excellent attention to detail, are a good communicator, a team player, are conscientious and flexible this job may suit you.

Person Specification

Special Skills & Knowledge

Essential

  • Follow protocols and instructions accurately
  • High level of attention to detail
  • Ability to concentrate for long periods
  • Excellent communication skills, verbal and written
  • Computer literate

Desirable

  • Microsoft office applications

Experience

Essential

  • Laboratory experience

Desirable

  • Previous hospital laboratory experience
  • Supervisory experience

Qualifications

Essential

  • NVQ 2 CLS or equivalent
  • Science and/or maths GCSE or above
  • IBMS Certificate of Achievement Part 1

Desirable

  • IBMS Certificate of Achievement Part 2

Speci

Essential

  • Able to handle blood and body samples
  • Able to lift and move multiple boxes /cartons of up to 20kg
  • Able to work flexibly
  • Able to participate in shift working,
  • weekend working and bank holidays
  • Driving posts musty have valid Full UK driving licence
Person Specification

Special Skills & Knowledge

Essential

  • Follow protocols and instructions accurately
  • High level of attention to detail
  • Ability to concentrate for long periods
  • Excellent communication skills, verbal and written
  • Computer literate

Desirable

  • Microsoft office applications

Experience

Essential

  • Laboratory experience

Desirable

  • Previous hospital laboratory experience
  • Supervisory experience

Qualifications

Essential

  • NVQ 2 CLS or equivalent
  • Science and/or maths GCSE or above
  • IBMS Certificate of Achievement Part 1

Desirable

  • IBMS Certificate of Achievement Part 2

Speci

Essential

  • Able to handle blood and body samples
  • Able to lift and move multiple boxes /cartons of up to 20kg
  • Able to work flexibly
  • Able to participate in shift working,
  • weekend working and bank holidays
  • Driving posts musty have valid Full UK driving licence

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

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Address

University Hospital Of North Durham

North Road

DURHAM

DH1 5TW

United Kingdom


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Address

University Hospital Of North Durham

North Road

DURHAM

DH1 5TW

United Kingdom


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Team Leader - Reception

Laurie Chambers

Laurie.chambers@nhs.net

01913332450

Details

Date posted

13 August 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£25,760 to £27,476 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C9439-2627-RP-1361

Job locations

University Hospital Of North Durham

North Road

DURHAM

DH1 5TW

United Kingdom


Supporting documents

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