Apprentice Medical Laboratory Assistant (Laboratory Technician) | North Bristol NHS Trust

Posting date:	03 March 2026
Salary:	Not specified
Additional salary information:	£24,465 pa pro rata
Hours:	Full time
Closing date:	02 April 2026
Location:	Bristol, BS10 5NB
Company:	North Bristol NHS
Job type:	Apprenticeship
Job reference:	7814423/339-CCS4423-RUH

Summary

A brand new exciting opportunity has arisen to join our Cellular Pathology Department as an Apprentice Medical Lab Assistant!

We're seeking an individual who is passionate about progressing in a healthcare science career with a particular interest in Cellular Pathology. Applicants should be enthusiastic, adaptable individuals who would enjoy working as part of a friendly team providing the Cellular Pathology service in this busy department.

The Cellular Pathology Department at Southmead Hospital provides a comprehensive service (Histopathology, Cytopathology and Immunohistochemistry) to the two acute Trusts in Bristol, local GPs and other centres in the south west. The work is varied, covering all specialisms with the exception of Neuropathology.

This is a full-time position (37.5 hours per week, starting five days per week, Monday - Friday). 20% of the working week will be dedicated to off-the-job learning. Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship and relevant competencies, the successful candidate will progress into a Band 3 Medical Laboratory Assistant role.

Apprenticeship start date: April 2026

To learn more about Pathology at NBT, watch our video.

You will be involved in the day-to-day support work of the Histopathology laboratory, including data-entry, assisting in the reception and preparation of clinical specimens for biological testing, and with the maintenance of equipment and departmental filing systems.

For this varied and interesting Apprentice Medical Laboratory Assistant post, you will need to be passionate about working in healthcare, numerate and literate, be able to work as part of a team, be able to demonstrate adaptability and initiative and have good communication and organisational skills.

Please note to be eligible for the apprenticeship you must:
• Be over the age of 18
• Have lived in the UK/EEA for the past 3 years
• Have the legal right to work and live in the UK for the full duration of the apprenticeship. If you require a visa, it must allow you to work and undertake an apprenticeship. Visas issued solely for educational or study purposes do not meet the eligibility requirements
• Not be currently working towards any other government funded training programme
• Not have a qualification in the same subject at the same level or above that of this apprenticeship
• Hold GCSE Maths , English and Science at minimum of Grade C/4 and be able to evidence this as part of your application

The Histopathology department has a strong team working environment, always looking to improve to enhance not only the service we provide our users but also the experiences we offer our team. Being a large department you will gain knowledge and experience across a wide range of activities and specimens.

North Bristol NHS Trust employs over 12,000 staff providing healthcare to the residents of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset from our award-winning hospital building at Southmead. We are the regional Major Trauma Centre, and an internationally recognised centre of excellence in a range of services and major specialities. Our vision is that by enabling our teams to be the best that they can be, we will provide exceptional healthcare, personally delivered.

North Bristol NHS Trust values all people as individuals. We aim to be an anti-discriminatory organisation and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We welcome applicants from all underrepresented groups.

For a full overview of the role, please refer to the PDF Job Description attached as an additional documents to this advert.

a) Participate in the receipt and recording of specimens
b) Participate in data input to laboratory computer
c) Undertake the storage and disposal of tissues in accordance with departmental procedures
d) Participate in and assist others in the preparation, cleaning, decontamination of equipment and working areas and maintenance of laboratory equipment
e) To perform general laboratory duties, e.g. checking instruments, recording temperatures
f) Participate in the management of supplies in the department
g) Be responsible for the day-to-day maintenance and cleanliness of the equipment and environment with which they are working.
h) Accurately maintain filing systems for request forms, reports, slides and tissue blocks and facilitate their transportation to archive sites within the hospital but outside the department.
i) File and retrieve records and slides
j) Input and retrieve data from departmental and other IT systems
k) Deal with telephone enquiries to the department and from within the department
l) Notify senior staff of all problems encountered in the performance of duties
m) Work according to the Standard Operating Procedures as documented
n) Work within established Health and Safety guidelines
o) To maintain safe and efficient standards of work, following codes of practice
p) To participate in staff appraisal / PDP according to Trust policies and procedures
q) Assisting the MLA team with wider duties where experience and training allow


This advert closes on Tuesday 17 Mar 2026