Medical Laboratory Assistant | Bristol NHS Foundation Trust (BFT)

Are you looking for your first step into the NHS? Do you enjoy being organised, working as part of a team and learning new skills?

We are looking for enthusiastic and motivated Medical Laboratory Assistants to join our Histopathology team at Southmead Hospital. This role is ideal for school or college leavers, those looking to begin a healthcare career, or anyone genuinely interested in supporting patient care.

Previous laboratory experience is not required as full training will be provided. We are looking for reliable individuals with good attention to detail, strong organisational skills and a willingness to learn.

As a Medical Laboratory Assistant, you will support the processing of samples used in patient diagnosis and treatment. Successful applicants will start at Band 2, with the opportunity to progress to Band 3 on completion of training and competencies after six months.

What you'll need

• Minimum of 4 GCSEs (or equivalent), including English, Maths and Science
• Good IT and keyboard skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Good communication and organisational skills
• An interest in healthcare and Histopathology
• Ability to work with anatomically identifiable specimens

Please note this is not a Biomedical Scientist training role and the IBMS registration portfolio cannot be completed within this post.

To learn more about Pathology at Southmead Hospital watch our video.

No two days are the same in this busy laboratory environment! Working alongside Biomedical Scientists and Pathologists, you'll help ensure samples are processed accurately and efficiently so they can be used to support patient care.

Your duties will include

• Receiving and booking specimens onto laboratory systems
• Working in accordance with pathology legislations including health and safety requirements and patient confidentiality
• Preparing tissue samples ready for testing and examination, this includes assisting in dissection, processing and staining
• Entering and checking information on computer systems
• Organising laboratory records and files
• Supporting the maintenance of laboratory equipment
• Assisting with digital imaging and slide scanning activities
• Helping keep laboratory areas clean, safe and well-stocked

Full training will be provided and you'll be supported by experienced colleagues as you develop your skills and confidence in the role.

You'll join a friendly team where you'll gain valuable workplace experience, learn how hospital laboratories operate and play an important role in supporting healthcare services across the region.

We're planning ahead!We are recruiting to create a pool of suitable candidates for upcoming Medical Laboratory Assistant vacancies. While some positions may be available immediately, successful candidates who are not appointed straight away may be placed in our talent pool and contacted as vacancies arise over the coming months.

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.

Please refer to the job description attached for a full list of responsibilities

a) Participate in the receipt and recording of specimens

b) Participate in data input to laboratory computer

c) Assist Pathologists and Biomedical Scientists at cut-up ensuring efficient use of workspace, providing effective support and accurate recording of information

d) Undertake the storage and disposal of tissues in accordance with departmental procedures

e) In the main laboratory undertake the routine staining of microscope slides and the management of the instruments on which this is performed

f) Undertake the receipt and management of additional work requests to the laboratory

g) Participate in and assist others in the preparation, cleaning, decontamination of equipment and working areas and maintenance of laboratory equipment

h) To perform general laboratory duties, e.g. checking instruments, recording temperatures

i) Participate in departmental digital imaging activities

j) Participate in the management of supplies in the department

k) Be responsible for the day to day maintenance and cleanliness of the equipment and environment with which she/he is working

l) Accurately maintain filing systems for request forms, reports, slides and tissue blocks and facilitate their transportation to archive sites within the hospital but outside the department. File and retrieve records and slides

m) Despatch, and receive when returned, slides, blocks and other material as requested and maintain records of all such activities

n) May be required to deputise in the absence of the Audit Clerk, collating materials to support MDT meetings

o) Input and retrieve data from departmental and other IT systems

p) Deal with telephone enquiries to the department and from within the department

q) Assist in training of staff

r) Notify senior staff of all problems encountered in the performance of duties

s) Work according to the Standard Operating Procedures as documented

t) Work within established Health and Safety guidelines

u) To maintain safe and efficient standards of work, following codes of practice

v) To participate in staff appraisal / PDP according to Trust policies and procedures

w) The post holder may be required to work at the Essential Services Laboratory based at the Bristol Royal Infirmary

Why join us?

Whether you're leaving school, finishing college or looking for a new direction, this role offers the opportunity to develop valuable workplace skills, gain experience in healthcare and become part of a supportive team.

What you'll get

• Full training and support from an experienced team
• A great first step into a healthcare career
• Opportunity for progression
• NHS pension and staff benefits
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities
• Experience working in a hospital laboratory environment
• A role that contributes to patient care every day

This advert closes on Tuesday 10 Nov 2026