Job vacancy: Medical Laboratory Assistant, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, Camberley

Job summary

Main area: Microbiology (Bacteriology)
Grade: Band 2
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Earl, Core, late shifts including weekends and bank holidays)
Job ref: 151-NM178

Employer: Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type: NHS
Site: Frimley Park Hospital
Town: Camberley
Salary: £25,768 per annum incl HCAS
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 30/09/2025 23:59

Medical Laboratory Assistant

Band 2

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To keep the laboratory manager informed of all matters regarding laboratory procedures and help with the smooth running of the department
Displays and maintains an appropriate level of IT skills. Is able to input patient and request data, maintain and amend patient records, interrogate the laboratory and hospital databases and perform basic word processing and spreadsheet work
Ensures appropriate stock levels are maintained in own area of operation, this may include issuing stock to external departments and GP surgeries
To keep the autoclave suites tidy and well organised
To works as part of a team to ensure that departmental performance targets are met by continually assessing priority of work
To understand and acknowledge limits of capability and seek advice as appropriate
To assist in the departmental work as instructed, following SOPs under the supervision of the laboratory managers, team leaders and / or Biomedical Scientist staff
To ensure the safety of staff, visitors and the department by checking that Risk Assessment, COSHH and Local Rules are followed and to inform the laboratory manager of any potential risks

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for more information

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

Good basic education
Willing to undergo relevant training

Desirable criteria

Interest in working to higher level of qualification

Experience

Essential criteria

Able to perform technically challenging procedures where applicable
Ability to develop knowledge and understanding of microbiology techniques sufficient to undertake specimen processing and reception

Desirable criteria

Some experience of diagnostic microbiology

Skills and Knowledge

Essential criteria

Able to understand and follow Standard Operating Procedures
Ability to follow laboratory H&S practice
Possess basic IT skills
Ability to take a support role
Understands need to work to deadlines and is able to do so

Desirable criteria

Understanding of need for service quality
Experience of working in a relevant routine laboratory
Ability to prioritise tasks and organise daily work
Experience of team working

Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust (FHFT) is proud of its strong reputation, record of achievement and ambition for the future. We serve a population of over 900,000 people across Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey and South Buckinghamshire, and remain committed to improving the health and wellbeing of our communities.

Our new organisational strategy – FHFT 2030 – sets out our ambition to be the best place to receive care and the best place to work in the NHS. Underpinned by our Trust values – Committed to Excellence, Working Together, Facing the Future, and being a modern, compassionate, Healthcare Organisation – we are creating a culture where our people can thrive and patients always come first.

We continue to invest heavily in our services and facilities. This includes the development of a new hospital at Frimley Park, major expansion of diagnostics and inpatient capacity, and the continued transformation of services across our sites. We have already delivered a brand-new £100m state-of-the-art Heatherwood Hospital, a £49m Emergency Assessment Centre at Wexham Park, and a £10m upgrade to maternity services.

We are also committed to sustainability and the NHS Net Zero ambition. Our new hospital and estate developments are being designed to be environmentally responsible, energy efficient, and future-proofed, featuring on-site renewables energy and intelligent energy systems. Through our green plan, we are embedding sustainable practices across all areas of care and operations, ensuring we reduce our environmental impact while improving population health and wellbeing. Our staff are key to helps us deliver on our ambition and to ensure sustainability is a core component of care delivery and our operations.

Alongside estates’ investments, we are embedding a strong focus on digital innovation and quality improvement. Our electronic patient record (Epic), launched in 2024, is already enabling safer, more connected, and more effective care for patients, while giving staff the tools they need to do their best work. Our electronic patient record also supports safe and effective digitised care pathways, savings time and carbon, whilst delivering excellent quality of care.

Everything we do is guided by our values, shaping how we care for patients, support colleagues, and build a sustainable future for healthcare together.