Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust
Medical Laboratory Assistant
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Job Overview
We have an exciting opportunity for a motivated and detail-oriented individual to join our friendly team within the Pathology Specimen Reception Department at Frimley Park Hospital.
This vital role involves accurately processing and recording patient samples, supporting the smooth operation of our busy pathology service.
While no formal qualifications or previous experience are required, you must have excellent typing skills, strong attention to detail, and a positive, team-focused attitude.
Please note that this post is not a trainee Biomedical Scientist position and is therefore not suitable for recent graduates seeking progression into that role.
Main duties of the job
As a Specimen Reception Assistant, you will play a key role in supporting the Blood Sciences team by ensuring the accurate receipt, sorting, and preparation of patient blood, bodily fluids, and other samples.
- You will be responsible for correctly labelling specimens, entering data onto the Pathology computer system, and maintaining a smooth and timely workflow to support clinical teams.
- The role requires strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
- You will also carry out general laboratory and clerical duties to help provide an efficient, high-quality service.
- Based in the Pathology Laboratory at Frimley Park Hospital, part of Berkshire Surrey Pathology Services (BSPS), you will contribute to a network delivering over 20 million tests per year, providing essential diagnostic services to hospitals, GPs, and private healthcare providers, operating 7 days a week.
Working for our organisation
Visa Sponsorship
This position is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants must already hold the right to work in the UK for the full duration of the contract.
Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust is committed to being an inclusive and disability confident employer and has been awarded the Gold for the Armed Forces Employment Recognition Scheme.
We provide first class development opportunities for all staff and have a wide range of professional, management and leadership, and clinical skills training available.
Here at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, we know how important it is to have a healthy work life balance; this benefits not only individuals but the patients we care for too.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
We encourage applications from people who wish to work on a flexible basis, recognising that flexibility may mean a range of different working patterns and hours, we do our utmost to work with our staff to meet their needs and the needs of our service and its users.
Frimley Health Trust benefits on Vimeo
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
The post holder will support the efficient running of the Specimen Reception by maintaining clear communication with the Team Leader and senior laboratory staff to minimise errors and ensure timely completion of all tasks.
Duties include:
- Assisting with the electronic production and distribution of pathology reports.
- Handling telephone enquiries, providing authorised test results, and redirecting calls as appropriate.
- Liaising with external laboratories for tests not performed in-house.
- Communicating with clinical staff regarding incorrect samples or missing information.
- Advising users on correct specimen collection procedures in line with the Pathology Handbook.
- Providing guidance to patients on 24-hour urine collection.
- Ensuring all visitors to the laboratory are received in a professional, courteous manner.
Accuracy, confidentiality, and excellent communication skills are essential to maintain the quality and efficiency of the pathology service.
For a full list of responsibilities and tasks associated with this role, please refer to the job description/person specification attached to this vacancy.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- GCSE’s (or equivalent) at grade A* to C to include Mathematics, English Language and two relevant Science subjects.
Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience of working in a specimen reception department in pathology.
- Experience working with Laboratory applications Winpath, Enterprise etc.
Desirable criteria
- Experience of working in a busy environment.
Skills & Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Good keyboard skills.
- Ability to work to tight deadlines.
Desirable criteria
- Basic Knowledge of Medical Terminology.
Special Requirements
Essential criteria
- Flexibility with working hours.
About Us
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.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
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.
Apply online now
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location