**internal ** Medical Laboratory Assistant

At present, University Hospitals of North Midlands is unable to offer visa sponsorship for Band 2 to Band 4 roles, as these positions do not meet the minimum salary and skill thresholds required under UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) regulations.

This vacancy is only open at this stage to internal employees of the following organisations within the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care System:

• North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust
• Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
• University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, inclusive of Black Country Procurement Group and North Midlands and Cheshire Pathology Service.
• Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board.

The University Hospital of North Midlands, Mid Cheshire and East Cheshire NHS Trusts are working collaboratively to form a Pathology network in line with a NHSI directive.

This is a MLA Band 3 post based at Macclesfield Hospital.

Please note this vacancy cannot offer sponsorship. This vacancy cannot offer supporting the BMS Registration portfolio

Main duties of the job

The post will be based in Central Specimen Reception Macclesfield Hospital This is an interesting and important job, with training provided in pre-analytic processing of samples.

About us

University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust is one of the largest and most modern in the country. Based across two sites, Royal Stoke in Stoke-on-Trent and County Hospital in Stafford, we are proud to serve around three million people and we're highly regarded for our facilities, teaching and research. We are the specialist centre for major trauma for the North Midlands and North Wales.

All of our employees make a valuable contribution regardless of role here at UHNM and we are proud of our wide range of development packages aimed at ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their true potential.

UHNM create and encourage a culture of inclusion, providing equal opportunities for career development that are fair and transparent. We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer and foster a culture in which all staff feel valued and respected. In return we ask all of our employees to make a commitment to the values, co-created by or staff, patients and carers, and that unite us as a Trust.

At University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust we know that investing in, supporting and developing our staff has a direct impact on the quality of care that we deliver. Our employees are as important as our patients and the population that we serve.

Details

Date posted

12 October 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£25,760 to £27,476 a year

per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

205-8265192

Job locations

Macclesfield Hospital

Victoria Rd

Macclesfield

SK10 3BL

United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

Assist in the supervision and management of the Specimen Reception Service providing an effective sample reception and distribution service for the Pathology laboratory.

Assist the Lead BMS for Biochemistry & CSR, through the Specimen Reception Manager and CSR Supervisor in the management of the Specimen Reception MLA staff, responsible for providing day to day supervision of staff in this area.

To identify and match samples to request cards, ensuring adequate sample labelling in line with Trust Policy, followed by entry of patient details and test request onto laboratory computer.

Pre-analytical preparation of samples and distribution of samples to the appropriate Pathology departments in a timely manner.

Liaise and work co-operatively with GP practices, members of the public, porters, couriers, drivers, other staff in specimen reception, Pathology, the Trust and other hospitals.

Respond to incoming telephone calls to the department, with a polite, helpful and professional manner and to deal with straight forward enquiries.

Adhere strictly to the departmental telephone policy/procedure.

Re-direct incoming calls throughout Pathology as appropriate.

Ensure the working environment complies with current laboratory Health & Safety standards

Comply with laboratory Health & Safety code of practice when handling biological specimens.

Prepared to work flexibly, including participation in a shift pattern which includes early, late, weekend, and Bank Holiday shifts and other out of hours rotas as required.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

To assist the CSR Supervisor in the management of Specimen Reception:

Responsible for the day-to-day co-ordination of staff in planning and prioritising the workload and the day-to-day management of staff, providing effective supervision to manage the department workload to deliver an efficient and high-quality service

To be the first point of contact for Band 2 MLA staff in CSR to resolve day to day issues, escalating as appropriate to CSR Supervisor.

Assist in the training of all Specimen Reception staff (sample handling, numbering, demographic entry).

Ensure all training documentation is up to date and assist members of staff receive adequate core skills training and complete Statutory & Mandatory Training.

Assist in the Induction of new staff.

Report any staffing issues to CSR Supervisor /Manager

Carry out appraisals / PDRs for Specimen Reception staff.

Assist with and carry out audit and risk management duties including incident and Corrective Action/Preventative Action (CAPA) reporting.

Assist with recruitment and selection of new staff.

Assist in the development of the Specimen Reception service, proposing changes to procedures and policies that could improve efficiency and effectiveness

Ensure all agency staff receive adequate training in line with departmental and Trust polices.

To ensure the implementation of agreed safety procedures.

Report / escalate breakdowns of pre-analytical equipment /scanners/printers/centrifuges.

Contribute to research and development projects including processing and storing ofsamples for research projects.

Undertake audit of the service as necessary to highlight process deficiencies.

Job responsibilities

Assist in the supervision and management of the Specimen Reception Service providing an effective sample reception and distribution service for the Pathology laboratory.

Assist the Lead BMS for Biochemistry & CSR, through the Specimen Reception Manager and CSR Supervisor in the management of the Specimen Reception MLA staff, responsible for providing day to day supervision of staff in this area.

To identify and match samples to request cards, ensuring adequate sample labelling in line with Trust Policy, followed by entry of patient details and test request onto laboratory computer.

Pre-analytical preparation of samples and distribution of samples to the appropriate Pathology departments in a timely manner.

Liaise and work co-operatively with GP practices, members of the public, porters, couriers, drivers, other staff in specimen reception, Pathology, the Trust and other hospitals.

Respond to incoming telephone calls to the department, with a polite, helpful and professional manner and to deal with straight forward enquiries.

Adhere strictly to the departmental telephone policy/procedure.

Re-direct incoming calls throughout Pathology as appropriate.

Ensure the working environment complies with current laboratory Health & Safety standards

Comply with laboratory Health & Safety code of practice when handling biological specimens.

Prepared to work flexibly, including participation in a shift pattern which includes early, late, weekend, and Bank Holiday shifts and other out of hours rotas as required.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

To assist the CSR Supervisor in the management of Specimen Reception:

Responsible for the day-to-day co-ordination of staff in planning and prioritising the workload and the day-to-day management of staff, providing effective supervision to manage the department workload to deliver an efficient and high-quality service

To be the first point of contact for Band 2 MLA staff in CSR to resolve day to day issues, escalating as appropriate to CSR Supervisor.

Assist in the training of all Specimen Reception staff (sample handling, numbering, demographic entry).

Ensure all training documentation is up to date and assist members of staff receive adequate core skills training and complete Statutory & Mandatory Training.

Assist in the Induction of new staff.

Report any staffing issues to CSR Supervisor /Manager

Carry out appraisals / PDRs for Specimen Reception staff.

Assist with and carry out audit and risk management duties including incident and Corrective Action/Preventative Action (CAPA) reporting.

Assist with recruitment and selection of new staff.

Assist in the development of the Specimen Reception service, proposing changes to procedures and policies that could improve efficiency and effectiveness

Ensure all agency staff receive adequate training in line with departmental and Trust polices.

To ensure the implementation of agreed safety procedures.

Report / escalate breakdowns of pre-analytical equipment /scanners/printers/centrifuges.

Contribute to research and development projects including processing and storing ofsamples for research projects.

Undertake audit of the service as necessary to highlight process deficiencies.

Person Specification

Knowledge, Skills, Training and Experience

Essential

• Ability to prioritise workload in response to service need
• Excellent written and communication skills
• Experience of Data Entry
• Excellent keyboard skills and attention to detail

Desirable

• Able to utilise initiative to solve problems, motivate a team and develop the service
• Ability to receive and prepare specimens / deliveries for storage, analysis and transport
• Experience of supervising a team

Essential Qualifications

Essential

• Experience and/or qualifications in NHS Specimen Reception Laboratory

Desirable

• Certificate of Achievement part 1 & 2

Person Specification

Knowledge, Skills, Training and Experience

Essential

• Ability to prioritise workload in response to service need
• Excellent written and communication skills
• Experience of Data Entry
• Excellent keyboard skills and attention to detail

Desirable

• Able to utilise initiative to solve problems, motivate a team and develop the service
• Ability to receive and prepare specimens / deliveries for storage, analysis and transport
• Experience of supervising a team

Essential Qualifications

Essential

• Experience and/or qualifications in NHS Specimen Reception Laboratory

Desirable

• Certificate of Achievement part 1 & 2

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust

Address

Macclesfield Hospital

Victoria Rd

Macclesfield

SK10 3BL

United Kingdom

Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust

Address

Macclesfield Hospital

Victoria Rd

Macclesfield

SK10 3BL

United Kingdom

Employer's website

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

Job responsibilities

Assist in the supervision and management of the Specimen Reception Service providing an effective sample reception and distribution service for the Pathology laboratory.

Assist the Lead BMS for Biochemistry & CSR, through the Specimen Reception Manager and CSR Supervisor in the management of the Specimen Reception MLA staff, responsible for providing day to day supervision of staff in this area.

To identify and match samples to request cards, ensuring adequate sample labelling in line with Trust Policy, followed by entry of patient details and test request onto laboratory computer.

Pre-analytical preparation of samples and distribution of samples to the appropriate Pathology departments in a timely manner.

Liaise and work co-operatively with GP practices, members of the public, porters, couriers, drivers, other staff in specimen reception, Pathology, the Trust and other hospitals.

Respond to incoming telephone calls to the department, with a polite, helpful and professional manner and to deal with straight forward enquiries.

Adhere strictly to the departmental telephone policy/procedure.

Re-direct incoming calls throughout Pathology as appropriate.

Ensure the working environment complies with current laboratory Health & Safety standards

Comply with laboratory Health & Safety code of practice when handling biological specimens.

Prepared to work flexibly, including participation in a shift pattern which includes early, late, weekend, and Bank Holiday shifts and other out of hours rotas as required.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

To assist the CSR Supervisor in the management of Specimen Reception:

Responsible for the day-to-day co-ordination of staff in planning and prioritising the workload and the day-to-day management of staff, providing effective supervision to manage the department workload to deliver an efficient and high-quality service

To be the first point of contact for Band 2 MLA staff in CSR to resolve day to day issues, escalating as appropriate to CSR Supervisor.

Assist in the training of all Specimen Reception staff (sample handling, numbering, demographic entry).

Ensure all training documentation is up to date and assist members of staff receive adequate core skills training and complete Statutory & Mandatory Training.

Assist in the Induction of new staff.

Report any staffing issues to CSR Supervisor /Manager

Carry out appraisals / PDRs for Specimen Reception staff.

Assist with and carry out audit and risk management duties including incident and Corrective Action/Preventative Action (CAPA) reporting.

Assist with recruitment and selection of new staff.

Assist in the development of the Specimen Reception service, proposing changes to procedures and policies that could improve efficiency and effectiveness

Ensure all agency staff receive adequate training in line with departmental and Trust polices.

To ensure the implementation of agreed safety procedures.

Report / escalate breakdowns of pre-analytical equipment /scanners/printers/centrifuges.

Contribute to research and development projects including processing and storing ofsamples for research projects.

Undertake audit of the service as necessary to highlight process deficiencies.

Knowledge, Skills, Training and Experience

Essential

• Ability to prioritise workload in response to service need
• Excellent written and communication skills
• Experience of Data Entry
• Excellent keyboard skills and attention to detail

Desirable

• Able to utilise initiative to solve problems, motivate a team and develop the service
• Ability to receive and prepare specimens / deliveries for storage, analysis and transport
• Experience of supervising a team

Essential Qualifications

Essential

• Experience and/or qualifications in NHS Specimen Reception Laboratory

Desirable

• Certificate of Achievement part 1 & 2