Job Description

Company Description

Here at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, we are proud to provide expert, compassionate care for our local population. We are ranked as the third in the country for research, embedding education and training across the organisation. Our main hub is the Queen Alexandra Hospital, which is one of the largest hospitals on the south coast employing over 8,700 staff.

Our patients come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes our hospital stronger. If you share our values and our enthusiasm for getting it right for patients, colleagues, and our community, you will find a home at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust.

Job Description

Band 2: £25,272

Full time: 37.5 hours

Permanent Contract

Do you have an interest in science, good organisational skills, a keen attention to detail, the ability to work under pressure and multi-task and are willing to go the extra mile? Are you friendly and able to work as part of a diverse team? If the answer is yes, then we would love to hear from you.

We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic team player to join us in the busy Microbiology Department at Queen Alexandra Hospital as a Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA).

You will undertake a range of duties which will include front of house reception, dealing with a diverse range of clinical specimens as they are received into the department and answering telephone enquires. You will also be required to process clinical samples, use and maintain laboratory equipment and perform data entry onto the Laboratory Information System. Full training will be provided but accurate keyboard skills are essential.

Microbiology requires someone who is prepared to handle clinical specimens, that can work as part of a team, in a methodical and organised manner, following standardised processes. The role does involve an element of manual handling and exposure to bodily fluids and unpleasant odours.

Excellent communication skills are essential in helping to prevent delays in the processing of specimens through the escalation of urgent requests or issues and when handling telephone queries from wards or GP surgeries.

Microbiology operates a seven day a week service, with shifts operating between 08:00 and 20:00 Monday to Friday and 09:00 to 17:00 at weekends and Bank Holidays. Weekend and Bank Holiday shifts are worked on a rotational basis (weekends are 1 in 6 inclusive of both days) with additional unsociable hours payment as per Agenda for Change terms and conditions. We are also flexible in offering time off in lieu to fit your work/home balance.

Key Responsibilities

• To undertake a range of laboratory tasks, including processing clinical specimens.
• Receive and sort clinical specimens, prioritising urgent samples.
• Managing multiple tasks simultaneously, whilst remaining calm and focused.
• Disposal of laboratory waste, using autoclaves.
• Handle telephone enquiries in an effective and efficient manner, in accordance with departmental procedures.
• Ensure all appropriate records are maintained and completed according to departmental policies
• Undertake data entry of patient and test information ensuring accuracy at all times

If this sounds just what you are looking for then we would genuinely love to hear from you!

Please note this role does not offer sponsorship.

For additional information please see attached Job Description

Qualifications

Qualifications

• Good general education with FIVE GCSEs at grade A* to C or 4 to 9, including Mathematics and English Language.

Desirable:

• Science GCSE (grade A* to C or 4 to 9).

Skills and Knowledge

Essential:

• Accurate and fluent keyboard skills.
• Prepared to handle clinical specimens.
• Ability to remain calm and focused under pressure.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Able to work using own initiative but also able to work within a diverse team.
• Able to demonstrate confidentiality and trustworthiness.
• Be flexible, punctual and reliable.

Experience

Essential:

• Experience with the electronic handling of data.
• Customer service experience, including the handling of telephone calls.
• Experience of working flexibly and as part of a team.

Desirable:

• Previous laboratory experience.

Additional Information

The health and wellbeing of our staff is at the forefront of everything we do. We are proud to be able to offer our staff some fantastic benefits including our on-site Nursery, access to our free Beach Hut for those long summer days, our on-site Wellness Centre including a gym and a swimming pool, access to our fantastic staff networks including LGBTQ, Race Equality and DisAbility, and awards ceremonies to recognise your achievements. We believe we can offer support to all of our staff when they need it the most.

We welcome the unique contributions that you can bring in terms of your education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, colour, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and beliefs.

For more information, please see our People and OD Strategy 2026