About this role
Job summary
We are looking for an enthusiastic Senior Medical Laboratory Assistant to join a dedicated team in a modern department, providing a high-quality service.Duties will include laboratory and administrative tasks which may be of a complex nature. Although no formal qualifications are required for this post, it will be important to demonstrate literacy and numeracy skills. Previous experience in laboratory support work is also essential.
University Hospitals Dorset Cellular Pathology department has a high-quality UKAS accreditation record and is an approved laboratory for Registration and Specialist training by the IBMS.
The Cellular Pathology team is made up of different grades of staff, including Medical Laboratory Assistants, Associate Practitioners and Biomedical Scientists, with the aim of putting the patient first and delivering a high-quality service.
This role is focused on providing laboratory support within Cellular Pathology and does not involve or provide a pathway into career development for Biomedical Scientist or other professional registration roles. Applicants should therefore be aware that the post is primarily a laboratory support role.
Main duties of the job
The role is full-time, and you will be required to work 37.5 hours per week. The post can be physically demanding at times and involves practical, hands-on work, including manual handling of laboratory materials and equipment. Applicants should be comfortable working in a role that requires regular periods of standing, moving items and carrying out repetitive manual tasks. Appropriate training and support will be provided.
The main duties of this role will be to support BMS staff in providing analysis of specimens received using complex diagnostic procedures across Cellular Pathology. Other duties include microtomy and assisting the Specialist Biomedical Scientist and consultants at dissection.
The role involves practical, hands-on laboratory work and will require manual handling of specimens, laboratory materials and equipment. The postholder will need to work safely and efficiently while undertaking tasks that may involve standing for extended periods, repetitive movements and the movement of items within the laboratory.
The role is primarily focused on supporting the delivery of the Cellular Pathology service and does not include responsibility for or progression into career development of Biomedical Scientists or other registered professional roles.
Additional contact informationNaomi Gordon - Senior Biomedical Scientist [email protected] 0300 019 2817
About us
Please note that this role does not provide visa sponsorship.
This post may close early due to high numbers of applications, so you are advised to apply promptly.
Interview: Week commencing 26th October 2026
Base Location: Royal Bournemouth Hospital
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 teammates and colleagues. UHD are investing in services across the Trust, with many being transformed and developed following merger and the New Hospital Programme. This means that some 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 about this at interview.
Please note if the role or service is relocated as part of a planned move, employees will not be eligible for excess mileage reimbursement. Travel from the postholder's home to the new work base will be considered a normal commute. Any other changes not related to this relocation will be managed according to the relevant 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.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Good General Education 'A' levels or equivalent in Science
Desirable
Completion of Pathology Support Worker qualification or IBMS Support Staff portfolio part 1 and 2. Further scientific qualification
Experience Essential
Demonstrable experience of working in scientific area as a Medical Laboratory Assistant or equivalent Able to work accurately and with good hand-eye co-ordination Experience of using common IT software
Desirable
Previous experience working as a MLA in Cellular Pathology Experience of quality management system Experience of using hospital IT systems
Technical Skills Competencies Essential
Must be able to understand and work within established Standard Operating Procedures and relevant Health & Safety policies, including COSHH Work flexibly in response to changing circumstances. Works within limits of responsibility Good interpretive skills at bench level Good attention to detail and accuracy Handling biological specimens Recognises and reports problems as they arise
Desirable
Understand the importance of quality at all levels of our work. Happy to work in a busy environment Knowledge of microtomy Demonstrable experience in assisting dissection
Knowledge Essential
Understanding of Cellular Pathology
Desirable
Understanding of UKAS requirements Understand the role of Histopathology within the NHS.
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
Bournemouth
BH7 7DW
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.uhd.nhs.uk/careers (Opens in a new tab)