About this role
Job summary
We are seeking well organised, highly motivated individuals to join our multidisciplinary team.Applications are invited for the post of Medical Laboratory Assistant to work within the Central Reception Department at University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust which will cover both sites at Poole Hospital and the Royal Bournemouth Hospital. The departments include Biochemistry, Haematology and Transfusion and are all UKAS accredited.Medical Laboratory Assistants work as part of a team supporting the Biomedical scientists. Medical Laboratory Assistants receive and process (data entry) samples prior to testing by Biomedical Scientists in the laboratories.
The successful candidate will be trained to deal with enquiries on the telephone, and to accurately provide authorised results to other healthcare professionals as required. There is the scope for personal development within the department.
Please ensure you read the attached person specification as your application will be assessed against this.Hours are full time (37.5 hours per week) on a shift basis.The laboratory operates 24/7 with core hours between 7am and 8pm, to include weekend and bank holiday working.
You will be required to undertake a typing test as part of the interview.
Contact -Amanda Terry , Central Reception Team [email protected] 0300 019 4797
Main duties of the job
Medical Laboratory Assistants work as part of the team supporting the Biomedical Scientists. Biomedical Scientists analyse blood, body fluids, tissues and cells to determine the presence or absence of disease, to enable diagnosis and also to monitor the effectiveness of treatment. They also carry out tests and analyses, which enable population screening for inherited or malignant disorders.
After training MLAs will be required to carry out a range of laboratory procedures including to collect and separate samples from wards and from the phlebotomy service throughout the day, to receive, check, sort, uniquely identify, label and prepare for analysis including those specimens for clinical trials andto be responsible for the accurate and timely dispatch of samples to other laboratories for testing as required. These duties to be performed according to standard operating procedures and within daily deadlines.
Concentration, accuracy and attention to detail are essential to these processes and medical laboratory assistants will be expected to provide a helpful and professional service to patients and staff within the NHS.
The Central (Specimen) Reception services are based at both Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Royal Bournemouth Hospital. The post will involve working at both sites.
Base Location: Cross site at Royal Bournemouth Hospital and Poole Hospital
Interview Date: Monday, 17th August 2026
Please note we are unable to offer sponsorship for this position.
About us
Our values define who we are as #TeamUHD. They underpin everything we do now and in the future. They define how we treat our patients, visitors, and each other, our valued team mates and colleagues.
UHD are investing in services across the Trust, with many being transformed and developed following merger and the New Hospital Programme.
In some cases this means that a services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or long term. Recruiting Managers interviewing for this role will be happy to answer any specific questions that you have at interview.
If a role or service relocates as part of a planned move, excess mileage will not be reimbursed. Travel from home to the new work base will be classed as a normal commute. Any other changes will be managed under Trust or national terms and conditions.
Job description Job responsibilities
To understand the role in more detail please read the full job description and person specification documents which are attached to this advert. Please note previous applicants do not need to apply.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Good general education and must be numerate and literate with a good command of spoken and written English.
Experience Essential
Experience of working as part of a team. Able to work accurately.
Desirable
Happy to work in a busy environment
Skills Essential
Good computer/keyboard skills Able to receive and communicate routine information to work colleagues or external contacts Competent and polite telephone manner Ability to work systematically and under pressure in a busy environment Accuracy and attention to detail Ability to work effectively as part of the laboratory team Ability to correctly follow appropriate procedures
Knowledge Essential
Knowledge of the importance and relevance of laboratory investigations to patient welfare Able to understand a range of routine work procedures, which require job training and a period of induction Able to seek advice and demonstrate work activities to new or less experienced staff
Desirable
Willingness to learn in response to changing work patterns or personal development Understand the role of Pathology within the NHS
Personal Attributes Essential
Ability to work as part of a team and as an individual Ability to use initiative Ability to concentrate for long periods at technically demanding procedures Reliable Able to deal with problems in a calm efficient manner Ability to move around the department to collect laboratory samples/ post etc Willing to work flexibly Professional manner / demeanour Ability to participate in an out of routine hours rota
Language requirement Essential
Able to speak English as necessary to undertake the role
Other requirements specific to the role Essential
Ability to lift light loads Ability to handle blood, urine and faeces specimens
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 University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
Address Royal Bournemouth Hospital
Castle Lane East
Bournemouth
BH7 7DW
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.uhd.nhs.uk/careers (Opens in a new tab)