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Job summary

Main area
Clinical Services
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 3
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
282-SA592
Employer
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
The Royal Marsden Chelsea
Town
Chelsea
Salary
£30,039 - £31,088 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
04/07/2025 23:59

Employer heading

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust logo

Medical Laboratory Assistant

NHS AfC: Band 3

Job overview

The Royal Marsden has a vital role in championing change and improvement in cancer care through research and innovation, education and leading-edge practice. We are incredibly proud of our international reputation for pushing the boundaries and for our ground breaking work ensuring our patients receive the very best and latest in cancer treatment and care.

We are seeking a confident, approachable and resourceful person to join the Cellular Pathology service in Chelsea. Your duties will include archiving of paraffin blocks and stained slides, routine solution rotation on processing and staining machines, specimen reception and disposal, packaging and collection of specimens transported between sites, collection of post.

This is a very high profile department working to demanding turnaround times and providing services both to Royal Marsden Clinical teams as well as acting as a reference centre for other hospitals in the UK and offering expert opinions to institutions worldwide.

Applicants must have GCSE’s or O levels including a science subject and have experience working in a relevant laboratory. This is full time post. The Trust encourages and supports continuing professional and personal development and Pathology runs a CPD Club

Main duties of the job

The post-holder will perform a wide variety of support tasks within the Histopathology laboratory under the supervision and direction of the registered biomedical scientist staff which will include archiving of paraffin blocks and stained slides, routine solution rotation on processing and staining machines, specimen reception and disposal, packaging and collection of specimens transported between sites, collection of post. 

The post holder will undertake basic technical tasks as directed by the Histopathology Laboratory Manager and senior staff and in line with departmental SOPs.

Working for our organisation

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 4,500 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals – one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey – as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital.

At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That's why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.

At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits, learning and development opportunities and clear career pathways. There are opportunities to work flexibly across a range of areas and specialities and we welcome flexible working requests from point of hire to support employees work life balance. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our on-going achievements.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For more information please refer to the job description and personal specification

•    Receipt and checking of samples against request forms

•    Assisting Pathologists in the diagnostic sampling of fresh and formalin fixed tissue

•    Ensuring cassettes are appropriately labelled

•    Assisting in the preparation of appropriately identified blocks of tissue for diagnostic work

•    Understanding and appropriate use of Vacuum Infiltration Processors (VIP’s)

Person specification

Skills and Abilities

Essential criteria
  • Ability to write clearly
  • Possess basic IT skills
Desirable criteria
  • Basic educational qualification in mathematics

Personal Qualities

Essential criteria
  • Ability to undertake a support role
  • Able to follow written instructions

Specific Experience

Essential criteria
  • Good basic education to include GCSE / O Levels / A Levels
  • Willing to undergo relevant training
  • Experience of working in a relevant routine laboratory
  • Able to understand and follow Standard Operating Procedures

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Trust IDApprenticeships logoLondon Living Wage is a voluntary commitment made by employers, who can become accredited with the Living Wage FoundationArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardDisability confident employerCare quality commission - OutstandingStep into health

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Coralie Pennaneac'h
Job title
Histology Laboratory Manager
Email address
[email protected]

If you have problems applying, contact

Address
Recruitment Support Team
Telephone
01629 690825
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