Medical Laboratory Assistant
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS TrustJob overview
Join Our Blood Sciences Team!
Are you enthusiastic & eager to make a difference in healthcare?
We are looking for motivated & dedicated individuals to join our friendly & supportive Blood Science team. This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone with an interested in healthcare, whether you're just starting or looking for a new direction. Full training will be provided.
As a Medical Laboratory Assistant, you will play a vital role in supporting our Biomedical Scientists in delivering high-quality diagnostic & therapeutic services.
Key Responsibilities Include:
- Receiving & processing blood, serum, urine, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), & other specimens
- Handling telephone & face-to-face enquiries professionally
- Performing essential analytical, clerical, & administrative tasks
- Maintaining high levels of accuracy & professionalism under pressure
- Ensuring smooth daily functioning of the Blood Sciences laboratory
You will work both under supervision & independently, contributing directly to patient care through timely & accurate laboratory support.
What We’re Looking For
- A genuine interest in science & healthcare
- Strong attention to detail & ability to work accurately under pressure
- Polite, professional, & confident communication skills
- A team player with a proactive and flexible approach
Advert
Working Hours and Shift Pattern
A flexible approach to working hours is essential, as the department provides a 24/7/365 service.
Shifts include:
- Early: 07:45 – 15:45
- Core Day: 09:00 – 17:30
- Late: 13:15 – 21:15
- Night: 21:00 – 08:00
Some weekend and bank holiday working is required as part of the rota.
Important Application Information
- Please ensure you read the job description and person specification carefully.
- Your supporting statement should clearly demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria and explain why you want to work for Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust.
- Applications will be assessed against the person specification.
- This post may attract a high number of applicants, and the closing date may be brought forward — we encourage early submission.
Interview and Assessment
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a face-to-face interview, which will include a practical data entry assessment to evaluate accuracy and attention to detail.
Working for our organisation
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 and 2024 NHS Staff Survey.
We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.
Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.
Looking for flexible working?
We are a flexible working-friendly organisation. Whether it’s adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.
Click here to hear what our staff say.
Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:
- At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).
- Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefits
- Blue Light card eligibility
- And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
We’ve provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please take a moment to review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. Please also check your application for errors/omissions prior to submission.
Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check at Standard Level.
All successful applicants will be required to complete our corporate trust induction once a start date had been agreed.
Working for Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust/NKPS you will be part of the Kent and Medway Pathology Network (South 8 Network - Kent and Medway Pathology Network is made up of seven laboratories across three pathology services in four acute Trusts. For more information on the network please see the attached document
In the event that we receive a high volume of applications, we may need to close the application process earlier than planned. To avoid missing out, we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.
Please contact the Recruiting Manager for an informal discussion should you have any queries relating to the role for which you are applying.
At MTW, we seek to develop a culture where everyone can reach their full potential with opportunities to grow and develop their career. We recognise and value the unique contributions that each of our staff bring, delivering the best quality care and service to our patients. We are committed to being a diverse employer and strive to reflect everyone in our local communities. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences and celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints, and ideas that will make our Trust the best place to work.
We support our staff with disabilities to ensure they have the adjustments they need to be the best they can be in the workplace. Collaborating with Access to Work means that experts in the workplace assess our staff and we ensure that their recommendations are implemented as quickly as possible. You can find out more here: Access to Work: get support if you have a disability or health condition: What Access to Work is - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Good luck! We look forward to welcoming you to our exceptional team!