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Job summary

Main area
Laboratory Medicine
Grade
Band 3
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
387-DT5649-MF
Employer
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Weston General Hospital
Town
Weston-super-Mare
Salary
£25,760 - £27,476 pa
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
06/11/2026 23:59

Employer heading

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust logo

Medical Laboratory Assistant - Blood Sciences

Band 3

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This will create an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Considering this, if you are interested in this role, please do apply as soon as you can.

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Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for Laboratory Medicine at Weston General. This is a post for a permanent Medical Laboratory Assistant at the Weston General Hospital Pathology site within Bristol NHS Foundation Trust.

The post holder will be part of a team providing a diagnostic Blood Sciences service to the Trust.  The team comprises Medical Laboratory Assistants (MLA), Biomedical Scientists, Clerical staff and Medical staff. 

The post holder will be an important part of the Laboratory Medicine team, supporting implementation of the new laboratory instrumentation. They will work primarily in the automated laboratory within Haematology, Blood Transfusion and Clinical Biochemistry, assisting with sample workflow.

The post holder will be required to work routine, early, late, weekend and bank holiday shifts in order to support the routine and out of hours service. This will be part of a rota within the working team.

The post holder will contribute to the diagnosis and treatment of patients within the hospital by providing technical and data entry assistance to Departmental staff.

The post holder will perform a number of healthcare science technical activities including maintaining new equipment, supporting verification of instruments, and generally assisting colleagues where necessary.

Main duties of the job

  • Supporting the implementation of new automated instrumentation as directed by Biomedical Scientists.
  • Enabling the smooth workflow of samples between pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical processes. Including use of various automated analysers and automated storage equipment.
  • Collecting, sorting, prioritising and processing of samples in a busy environment while maintaining good working relationships with colleagues and service users.
  • Filing of samples following completion of analysis into the appropriate storage systems.
  • Retrieval of consumables and reagents from the stores, advising the senior BMS when the stock becomes low.
  • Use of laboratory information management systems.
  • Use of software packages including word processing, spreadsheets and databases to enter data on a daily basis.
  • Use of e-mail to send authorised documents within Blood Sciences.
  • Use of the document management system (Q-Pulse).
  • To observe all applicable safety regulations and attend any mandatory and statutory training as required.
  • To undertake such training as necessary to enhance and to improve performance within the Department.

Working for our organisation

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.  

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer.  

 Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge. 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For a more detailed job description and main responsibilities, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.

Person specification

Qualifications and Training

Essential criteria
  • At least five GCSE’s grade C or above to include English, mathematics and science
Desirable criteria
  • Level 3 Qualification in Science
  • Approved Biomedical Science degree

Knowledge and Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience using computer-based systems
Desirable criteria
  • Work experience in a laboratory
  • Customer Service experience
  • Understanding of the NHS
  • Experience handling confidential information

Skills and Abilities

Essential criteria
  • High level of accuracy and attention to detail
  • Ability to be flexible and respond to the needs of the service
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team
  • Able to demonstrate commitment to service improvements
  • Keyboard and data-entry skills
  • Ability to learn and use Pathology IT systems
  • Understanding of the critical importance of confidentiality
  • Ability to organise and prioritise workload
  • Ability to supervise less experienced staff, including supporting the training of staff
  • Ability to concentrate for prolonged periods of time

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Trust IDDisability Confident - two yearsVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyAge positiveCare quality commission - GoodMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerNHS Pastoral CareStep into healthMenopause Workplace PledgeDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - GoldPride In Veterans

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Tina Powell
Job title
Operational Support Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01934 647009
Additional information

Patrick Simms, Deputy Head of Service for Laboratory Medicine - [email protected] or 01934 647009

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