Medical Laboratory Assistant - Histology | Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employer: Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Location: Liverpool, L7 8YE
Pay:
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: Full time
Disability Confident: No
Closing Date: 01/05/2026
About this job
We are pleased to invite applications for two Band 3 Medical Laboratory Assistant positions within Cellular Pathology. One post is a six‑month fixed‑term role in Immunocytochemistry (ICC), and the second is a substantive position within the Histology Laboratory. These roles are integral to the smooth and efficient running of our laboratory services. The successful candidates will support the daily operation and maintenance of key laboratory equipment and will take responsibility for the operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of digital scanning systems and IMS databases. In addition, duties will include routine laboratory tasks such as monitoring reagent stock levels, preparing working solutions, and filing sample blocks and slides.
Both positions are essential to ensuring continuity of high‑quality service delivery. The post holders will work collaboratively with colleagues across the directorate to support the provision of accurate, timely, and high‑standard patient care. The successful candidates will be responsible for participating in routine activities associated with a Cellular Pathology Medical Laboratory Assistant role, including:
* Operation and maintenance of laboratory equipment, including digital scanners
* Preparation of staining solutions and reagents
* Safe disposal of hazardous and non‑hazardous laboratory waste
* Monitoring and receipt of consumables and reagents
* Retrieval and filing of tissue blocks, microscope slides and relevant paperwork
* Retrieval of archive material
* Receipt of specimens, ensuring correct patient identification
* Storing samples safely and appropriately prior to and after processing
* Assisting pathologists and BMS staff at cut‑up
* Embedding processed material
* Undertaking ICC and in situ hybridisation staining and routine HE‑staining procedures
* Basic quality control activities and completion of quality documentation as required
* Keeping working areas clean and tidy
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust comprises Aintree University Hospital, Broadgreen Hospital and Royal Liverpool University Hospital. We are part of NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, formed on 1 November 2024 from the coming together of LUHFT and Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust. The Group was born on a shared aim to improve the care we provide our patients. UHLG is one of the largest employers in the region, with over 16,800 colleagues dedicated to caring for our communities.
For the 630,000 people across Merseyside, we are their local NHS. We provide general and emergency hospital care, alongside highly specialised regional services for more than two million people in the North West. Aintree University Hospital is the single receiving site for adult major trauma patients in Cheshire and Merseyside and hosts a number of regional services including an award‑winning stroke facility. Broadgreen Hospital is home to elective surgical, diagnostic and treatment services, together with specialist patient rehabilitation. Liverpool Women’s Hospital specialises in the health of women and babies, delivering over 7,200 babies in the UK’s largest single‑site maternity hospital each year. The Royal Liverpool University Hospital is the largest hospital in the country to provide inpatients with 100% single bedrooms and focuses on complex planned care and specialist services.
For roles at Liverpool Women’s, visit their careers page. See Job Description for further details. The post holders will be required to carry out all duties relevant to a Medical Laboratory Assistant, including participation in all aspects of the Immunocytochemistry and Histology MLA3 rotas. Each post is essential for the day‑to‑day running of the services and will work closely with all other staff within the directorate to deliver the highest quality standard of patient care. To provide a support role to the qualified staff of the department which provides a diagnostic service to the Trust and other Pathology users, working within the Health and Safety policy of the Trust.
Key responsibilities
* Maintain reagent levels and preparing simple solutions.
* Filing microscope slides, tissue blocks and relevant paperwork.
* Retrieval of material from the archives.
* Taking receipt of solvent deliveries.
* Ensuring that the paperwork is completed fully and correctly.
* Ensure the department is appropriately stocked with solvent.
* To take delivery of cardice and other consumables as requested.
* To safely store and monitor levels of consumables.
* Move stocks to and from the consumable storage area as requested.
* Ensure the safe disposal of various groups of laboratory waste (paper, chemical, human tissues, glass etc).
* Receive specimens into the department ensuring correct patient identification.
* Store specimens safely and appropriately prior to and after processing.
* To keep working areas clean and tidy.
* To complete the appropriate quality documentation as necessary.
* To operate and maintain the department’s digital scanning and automated staining platforms.
* Adherence to the organisation’s health and safety policy, ensuring personal safety and to avoid putting others at risk.
* To participate in the department’s appraisal scheme.
* Use the departmental computer system as required.
* Participate in meetings as required.
* Ensure patient confidentiality at all times.
* To process enquiries appropriately.
* To clean glassware for use by laboratory staff.
* Daily maintenance of other laboratory equipment.
This advert closes on Wednesday 15 April 2026.
Jobs are provided by the Find a Job Service from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
#J-18808-Ljbffr