Medical Laboratory Assistant Apprenticeship

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust seeks a Medical Laboratory Assistant to join the Clinical Genomics department. The department is part of the North Thames - Genomic Laboratory Hubs (GLH), one of seven national GLHs offering Cancer Genomic testing in England.

The post holder will rotate through the Clinical Genomics laboratories, providing technical support including specimen reception and data entry. They will also support training, quality activities, equipment maintenance and audits, working to defined protocols with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.

Main duties of the job

• Provide technical and administrative support to maintain an efficient and high-quality genetics diagnostic laboratory service.
• Work with laboratory scientific and technical staff to provide pan-laboratory technical and administrative support.
• Take responsibility for working alone and as part of a team to achieve necessary performance levels.
• Rotate through Clinical Genomics laboratories to perform laboratory support duties with minimal supervision.
• Focus on sample collection, data entry, sample sendaway, sample prioritisation and distribution.

Responsibilities

• Collect different types of biological samples from main Pathology laboratories, minor procedures, theatres, and switchboard during the day.
• Receive and check samples against request forms, liaise with clinical staff regarding labelling errors.
• Identify and take appropriate action with high-risk specimens and deal with leaking/damaged samples.
• Prioritise samples according to SOPs and laboratory requirements.
• Input patient-related data received from external referral hospitals, wards and clinical areas into IT systems.

Requirements

• Relevant A-levels, including a science subject, and experience working in a laboratory.
• Experience in cytogenetic and molecular diagnostic techniques is desirable.
• Meets all government criteria for apprenticeship funding, including appropriate visa status and required period of UK residency.

Benefits

• Competitive salary: £30,630 to £32,346 per annum.
• Opportunities for learning and development.
• Flexible working requests considered.

Person Specification

• Essential qualifications: GCSE English and Maths at Grade 4/C or above and A Level Biology at Grade C or above.
• Desirable qualifications: Evidence of ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
• Essential experience: Basic understanding of genetics and molecular biology.
• Desirable experience: Handling biological samples, working in a laboratory or technical healthcare environment.

Skills & Abilities

• Excellent attention to detail and high level of accuracy.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage conflicting priorities.
• Effective written and verbal communication.
• Competent in the use of MS Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook).