Job summary
- Main area
- Histology
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 435-D092-25
- Employer
- East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital
- Town
- Blackburn
- Salary
- £24,937 - £26,598 PA
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 28/08/2025 23:59
Employer heading

Medical Laboratory Assistant - Histology
NHS AfC: Band 3
At East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust our vision is to be widely recognised for providing safe, personal and effective care. We currently provide high quality services and treat over 600,000 people across East Lancashire and the surrounding area. We employ over 9,500 staff, many of whom are internationally renowned and have won awards for their work.
Job overview
Applications are invited from enthusiastic and motivated staff for an MLA positions in our busy Histopathology laboratory at Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital.
We are looking for someone who is positive, proactive and attention to detail is essential.
You will be involved with sample management and processing in a clinical setting.
You will hold A level qualifications, ideally in English, Maths and Science, plus ideally you will have some laboratory experience, but full training will be provided.
The post is 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.
Candidates should not apply for this role unless they meet the essential criteria. Previously interviewed candidates need not apply.
Main duties of the job
Prepares and processes clinical specimens for cellular pathology analysis
Maintains specimen records using paper and electronic systems
Maintains records and documentation as part of the laboratories quality management system.
Working for our organisation
At East Lancashire Hospitals Trust, our vision is to be widely recognised for providing safe, personal and effective care. We currently provide high quality services and treat over 700,000 people across East Lancashire and the surrounding area. We employ over 8,000 staff, many of whom are internationally renowned and have won awards for their work.
Aligned to national strategy, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust is working 3 local Trusts to form a single Pathology Service for Lancashire and South Cumbria, hosted by Lancashire Teaching Hospitals.
Whilst this post is based at Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital, this may change in the future if services are reorganised.
Within current timelines, this post may TUPE into the hosting employer in late 2025.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see attached job description and person specification for more detailed information about these posts.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- 2 A-level passes (or equivalent) including a science subject or equivalent
- GCSE Grade 4-9 or equivalent - English, Maths, Science, IT
Desirable criteria
- IBMS support staff CoA part 1, other relevant
Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience of following detailed workplace procedures
- Experience of applying working practices in line with health and safety legislation.
Desirable criteria
- Experience of working in a pathology laboratory
- Experience of working in a cellular pathology laboratory
- Experience of NHS admin or support role
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Evidence of using computer systems
- Evidence of accurate data entry
Desirable criteria
- Aware of key safety legislation
- Experience of data entry, Windows and non-Windows systems
- Experience of data entry into an NHS system
Personal attributes
Essential criteria
- Organised with good time management skills
- Able to work as a member of a team
- Able to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service
Desirable criteria
- Evidence of coping with tight deadlines
Application numbers
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Craig rogers
- Job title
- Lead Biomedical Scientist
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01254 732438
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