Job overview

We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic individual to join our busy Blood Sciences Specimen Reception team as a Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) on a fixed-term basis.

This vital role involves the accurate receipting, sorting, and processing of patient samples prior to laboratory analysis. The Specimen Reception team supports the entire Pathology service, ensuring samples are appropriately distributed to the correct disciplines and patient data is accurately entered into the laboratory information system (Winpath).

You will need to demonstrate:

- A strong work ethic and attention to detail
- Good IT and communication skills
- The ability to work effectively as part of a team in a fast-paced environment

In return, we offer a supportive and inclusive working environment, access to comprehensive training, and opportunities for career development within our Trust.

Working Pattern:

Participation in a 24/7 shift rota is required, including evenings, nights, weekends, and bank holidays.
Shifts vary in length (up to a maximum of 12 hours, including breaks). 

Cross-site working is expected and there will be planned rotations between sites.

If you are unable to work night shifts, please consider applying for another suitable role within the Trust.

Please be aware that we may close this advert early should we receive a high volume of applications. Early applications are encouraged.

Although this position is a 12 months fixed-term contract, the actual contract duration will be adjusted to account for the time taken to advertise the post, complete the hiring process, and finalise pre-employment checks. This means the contract will begin when the candidate starts the role and may be slightly shorter than 12 months.

Main duties of the job

To work in a team of support staff playing a crucial role in the reception and preparation of patient samples and requests, to facilitate the provision of a quality and timely diagnostic and monitoring service essential for patient care. To supervise other staff in reception and provide training and support.  

Working for our organisation

We’re an organisation that is getting better and better and our improvements are driven by a determination to deliver care we’re proud of and our patients are happy with. 

They are benefitting from a new electronic patient record (we were the last acute trust in London to introduce one) and our maternity services have been rated good by the Care Quality Commission. 

We operate from two main sites – KGH in Goodmayes and Queen’s Hospital in Romford. We have two busy emergency departments with more than 346,000 people visiting them last year. We’re campaigning to secure the £35m we need to transform the A&E at Queen’s and get rid of corridor care. 

We’re proud of our regional Neurosciences Centre, Radiotherapy Centre and Hyper Acute Stroke Unit. We’re also part of the North East London Cancer Alliance. 

We run a Women’s Health Hub in Ilford; an Ageing Well Centre in Hornchurch; and Community Diagnostic Centres (CDC) at Barking Community Hospital and at St George’s Health and Wellbeing Hub. These CDCs are open 12 hours a day, 7 days a week.  

The majority of our 8,400 staff – who come from 146 different countries - live in the three diverse London boroughs we serve and are from black, Asian and minority ethnic groups. Many can work flexibly and more than 400 of them are on our Ofsted accredited apprenticeship programmes. We’re proud to be a London Living Wage employer.