Medical Laboratory Assistant | Sponsorship Available

Position: Medical Laboratory Assistant

Job Type: Full Time

Salary: £31,554 – £33,270 Inclusive per annum

Location: London

Employer: Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust

Application Deadline: August 16^th, 2026

Job overview

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust (GOSH) is a national centre of excellence in the provision of specialist children’s health care, currently delivering the widest range of specialist care of any children’s hospital in the UK. It has the largest paediatric Haematology and Oncology centre in Europe.

An opportunity has arisen in the Department of Haematology’s – Specialist Integrated Haematological Malignancy Diagnostic Service for a Medical Laboratory Assistant. This is an excellent post for an enthusiastic and scientifically innovative individual.

Relevant experience in a clinical Haematology or Molecular Laboratory is desirable but not essential as training will be given. You will assist the Molecular Haematology and Flow Cytometry Teams in the day to day running of the laboratory. You will carry out several sample reception and sample preparation duties such as cell separations, DNA/RNA extractions and cell storage.

The department provides a range of clinical and diagnostic services to a broad range of specialities such as Haematology-Oncology, Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Gene Therapy and Thymus Transplantation.

Experience/knowledge of Quality Management Systems, the Clinical Laboratory accreditation process and associated standards (ISO 151890) is also desirable. Excellent organisational skills are essential as is the ability to effectively communicate with other laboratory and clinical staff.

Main duties of the job

• Specimen reception: collection of bone marrow samples from theatres, checking patient information and sample type, sorting and numbering of specimens. Follow procedures for the receipt of correctly labelled specimens and inform lab staff of any errors
• To input patient demographics and test request details on to the Laboratory Information Management System
• To undertake preparatory work such as preparation of reagents and other solutions as required
• Monitoring stocks of materials in store
• To maintain cleanliness of all laboratory benches, centrifuges, fridges and freezers
• To follow Standard Operating Procedures to perform laboratory tasks not requiring state registration
• To monitor and record fridge and ambient room temperatures
• To provide administrative support including generating requests and worksheet
• Undertake general laboratory filing and administration when required
• Comply with quality standards required in service-provision and participate in internal and external quality control
• Perform quality audits as required

Working for our organisation

GOSH is committed to recruiting the best person for the job, based solely on their ability and individual merit as measured against the criteria for the role; through a process that is fair, open, consistent and free from bias and discrimination.

We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer and foster a culture where all staff are valued, respected and acknowledged. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, disability status or length of time spent unemployed.

We particularly welcome applications from BAME communities, people with disabilities and/or long-term health conditions and LGBT+ community members.

We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all applicants and employees are treated fairly and consistently. We are proud to be accredited as a Disability Confident Employer, a member of Business Disability Forum and a Stonewall Diversity Champion.

We have active and Executive supported BAME, LGBT+ and Allies, Disability and Long-Term Health Conditions and Women’s staff networks. Staff networks are employee-led groups formed around interests, issues and a common bond or background. Staff network members create a positive and inclusive work environment at Great Ormond Street Hospital by actively contributing to the Trust’s mission, values and efforts specific to inclusion. All of our staff networks are open to any employee.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Detailed job description and main responsibilities
• The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. For both documents please view the attachment/s below.

Person specification

GOSH Culture and Values

Essential criteria

• Our Always values
• Academic/Professional qualification/Training
• Essential criteria
• GCSE or higher qualification in English, Maths and a science subject or equivalent
• Desirable criteria
• NVQ3 or equivalent experience in Clinical Laboratory support

Experience/Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Understanding and awareness of procedures to ensure patient confidentiality
• Use of computers including word, excel and laboratory programmes
• Some scientific knowledge and practical experience of basic laboratory procedures and use of equipment such as pipettes and automated equipment.
• Knowledge of the working of NHS Trust Pathology laboratories
• Understanding Health and safety procedures and practises

Desirable criteria

• Experience in working in an Accredited Clinical Laboratory
• Experience with isolation of different cell types from blood and bone marrow samples
• Experience of nucleic acid (DNA and RNA) extraction and PCR procedures

Skills/Abilities

Essential criteria

• Excellent telephone manner
• Good inter-personal and communication skills (written and verbal)
• Ability to organise and manage own workload, meet deadlines and able to follow and take instructions
• Good manipulative skills and manual dexterity
• Accuracy in working and close attention to detail
• Ability to use standard software programs and to use laboratory computer systems
• Organisational skills including the ability to prioritise work
• Ability to deal appropriately with sensitive information
• Ability to work on own initiative and as a member of a team and an ability to work in an organised and tidy manner
• Competent computer skills (in particular databases and word processing)

Please be advised that:

The recruitment process for all admin and clerical roles at Bands 2-4 will be a two stage recruitment process whereby shortlisted candidates will undertake an online literacy, numeracy, ICT and typing test. Only those candidates who pass the competency test will proceed to a formal interview.

The closing date given is a guide only. There may be some occasions where we have to close a vacancy once sufficient applications have been received. It is therefore advisable that you submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification criteria for this post will be shortlisted. Please note that where high volumes of applicants have been received, additional criteria may on occasion be used to determine the final shortlist.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

We are an accredited Living Wage Employer

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