Medical Laboratory Assistant

Role overview

An opportunity is available for a motivated and personable individual to join the Microbiology Specimen Reception Department at Wexham Park Hospital. This post needs strong keyboarding ability, a careful eye for detail, and a positive, service-focused attitude.

This vacancy is not intended for recent graduates seeking a route into Biomedical Scientist progression.

What the job involves

The role suits someone who can stay organised while remaining adaptable, work well in a team, and also handle tasks independently when needed. A welcoming and approachable manner is important.

Day-to-day work includes receiving, sorting, and preparing patient samples and bodily fluids, along with other laboratory and clerical duties.

Purpose of the role

You will support colleagues in delivering an efficient and dependable Pathology service for all users. A key part of the job is helping ensure samples are turned around quickly by receiving them, labelling them, and logging them into the Pathology computer system.

The laboratory is based at Wexham Park Hospital and forms part of Berkshire Surrey Pathology Services (BSPS), a merged pathology network created through a joint venture between Ashford & St Peter’s, Frimley Health, Royal Berkshire, and Royal Surrey County Hospitals NHS Foundation Trusts. The service supports NHS acute trusts, CCGs, academic centres, and the private healthcare sector, handling around 20 million tests each year for a population of 2 million. Services run seven days a week.

Key duties

You will work closely with the Specimen Reception Team Leader to keep errors to a minimum, follow agreed priorities, and help ensure all work is completed within the working day. The role also involves maintaining strong links with senior laboratory colleagues.

Other duties include supporting the electronic production and dispatch of Pathology reports by post or fax, handling telephone enquiries to Specimen Reception, providing Pathology results for Microbiology where appropriate, and redirecting calls to the correct laboratory.

You may also communicate with external laboratories regarding tests that are not performed in-house, inform consultants, doctors, or nursing staff when samples or information are incorrect, and give guidance to service users on correct specimen collection in line with the Pathology Handbook.

Visitors to the laboratory should be welcomed professionally and courteously.

For the complete list of duties, refer to the attached job description and person specification.

Visa and work eligibility

This post is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Candidates must already have the right to work in the UK for the entire length of the contract.

About the employer

Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust is an inclusive and disability-confident employer and holds Gold status under the Armed Forces Employment Recognition Scheme. The Trust offers development opportunities across professional, management, leadership, and clinical skills areas.

The organisation places strong value on work-life balance and supports flexible working wherever possible, working with staff to meet both individual needs and service requirements.

Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust serves more than 900,000 people across Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey, and South Buckinghamshire. Its strategy, FHFT 2030, aims to make the Trust the best place to receive care and the best place to work in the NHS, guided by the values of Committed to Excellence, Working Together, Facing the Future, and being a modern, compassionate healthcare organisation.

Investment continues across services and estates, including a new hospital at Frimley Park, expanded diagnostics and inpatient capacity, the £100m Heatherwood Hospital, the £49m Emergency Assessment Centre at Wexham Park, and a £10m maternity services upgrade.

The Trust is also committed to sustainability and the NHS Net Zero goal, with environmentally responsible estate developments, on-site renewable energy, intelligent energy systems, and a green plan that supports lower environmental impact and better population health.

Digital innovation is another priority, including the Epic electronic patient record launched in 2024, which supports safer, more connected, and more efficient care while saving time and carbon.

Working style and values

The Trust encourages people who are flexible in how they work, whether through varying patterns or hours, and aims to accommodate staff needs while maintaining high-quality service delivery.

Everything the organisation does is shaped by its values and its commitment to patient care, colleague support, and a sustainable future for healthcare.

Additional information

No salary or stipend was stated for this post.

No vacancy count, start date, application deadline, or contract duration was provided.

The role is a full-time, onsite position in Slough, England, United Kingdom.