Medical Laboratory Assistant | Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust

Posting date:	23 December 2025
Salary:	Not specified
Additional salary information:	£25,768 per annum incl HCAS
Hours:	Full time
Closing date:	22 January 2026
Location:	Slough, SL2 4HL
Company:	Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust
Job type:	Permanent
Job reference:	7689098/151-SL0513

Summary

Base Location: Frimley Park Hospital:
• Berkshire & Surrey Pathology Services is one of the UK’s largest NHS-led pathology networks, providing high-quality diagnostic services across multiple partner Trusts.
• The service is seeking motivated and reliable individuals for Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) position.
• As an MLA, you will support the delivery of safe, efficient laboratory services, working as part of a large, collaborative team.
• Duties typically include specimen reception, basic laboratory tasks, data entry, and supporting biomedical scientists to ensure timely processing of samples.

Important:
This position is not suitable for graduates' seeking progression into a Biomedical Scientist role. It is intended for candidates interested in an MLA career rather than using the role as a stepping stone to BMS training.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to deliver an efficient and effective service to all users of the Pathology Department.
• Ensure the rapid and timely turnaround of pathology samples by accurately receiving, labelling, and entering specimen information onto the pathology computer system.
• Contribute to the smooth running of a merged pathology service supporting both The Royal Surrey County Hospital and Frimley Park Hospital.
• The post holder will be primarily based at Frimley Park Hospital, with occasional duties at The Royal Surrey County Hospital as required.
• Maintain high standards of organisation, demonstrating efficiency, attention to detail, and effective communication always.
• Use good keyboard and data-entry skills to support the accurate processing of patient information.
• Demonstrate reliability, practical ability, and the capacity to work well as part of a team in a busy laboratory environment.
• Embrace new ways of working and actively participate in developing your knowledge and skills.
• Engage with training opportunities and make use of the support offered for ongoing career development.

Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust is committed to being an inclusive and disability confident employer and has been awarded the Gold for the Armed Forces Employment Recognition Scheme.

We provide first class development opportunities for all staff and have a wide range of professional, management and leadership, and clinical skills training available.

Here at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, we know how important it is to have a healthy work life balance; this benefits not only individuals but the patients we care for too.

We encourage applications from people who wish to work on a flexible basis, recognising that flexibility may mean a range of different working patterns and hours, we do our utmost to work with our staff to meet their needs and the needs of our service and its users.

Frimley Health Trust benefits on Vimeo


• To carry out all procedures required for the preparation and storage of samples, including the use of pipettes to separate components or add solutions as appropriate.
• Prepare sample containers and ensure adequate stock levels of laboratory consumables are maintained.
• Operate and maintain relevant laboratory equipment—including centrifuges—used in the preparation and processing of samples and requests.
• Participate, when required, in performing simple designated tests, including those carried out on Point-of-Care analysers.
• Assist in the training and induction of new staff members, demonstrating correct procedures and safe working practices.
• Follow laboratory protocols to identify, manage, and condemn inadequate or mislabelled samples in accordance with departmental policy.
• Arrange the preparation, packaging, and safe transportation of samples requiring referral to external laboratories for further analysis.
• Ensure that samples associated with clinical trials are processed, stored, and documented correctly, in line with trial requirements and governance standards.

For more information on the main responsibilities of the role please see attached job description and person specification.


This advert closes on Sunday 4 Jan 2026