Medical Laboratory Assistant

We seek a Medical Laboratory Assistant to join the Clinical Genomics department. The department is in the Centre for Molecular Pathology and is part of the North Thames - Genomic Laboratory Hubs (GLH) one of seven national GLHs offering Cancer Genomic testing in England. The department provides a reference Molecular Diagnostics and Cytogenetics Service for solid tumours and haematological malignancies, as well as participating in clinical trials and translational research.
The post holder will be required to rotate through the Clinical Genomics laboratories to perform technical support duties, including but not limited to, specimen reception, data entry, etc. The post holder will be expected to assist in training and support activities such as quality, equipment maintenance and audits. Attention to detail is essential, and the post holder must be able to work to high standards following defined protocols.
To provide the technical and administrative support required to maintain an efficient and high-quality genetics diagnostic laboratory service. Working with the laboratory’s scientific and technical staff, the laboratory assistant technologist will provide pan-laboratory technical and administrative support.
The post holder must be able to take responsibility for working alone and as part of a team to achieve the necessary performance levels. The post-holder will be expected to work within Clinical Genomics Central Reception and all areas of Clinical Genomics (both Cytogenetics and Molecular Diagnostics) to perform laboratory support duties with mínimal supervision. The major focus of the role will be on sample collection, data entry, sample sendaway, sample prioritisation and distribution working within the Clinical Genomics Central Reception.
In addition, the post holder will be required to rotate through the Clinical Genomics laboratories to perform laboratory support duties. Such duties will include specimen processing, data entry of requests, packaging samples to send away, equipment maintenance tasks and supporting scientists in providing a reliable and accurate diagnostic service. Attention to detail is essential, and the post holder must be able to work to high standards, following defined protocols and assist in the production of accurate and high-quality analytical results for the diagnosis and treatment of patients.
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 4,500 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals - one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey - as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital.
At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That's why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.
At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits, learning and development opportunities and clear career pathways. There are opportunities to work flexibly across a range of areas and specialities and we welcome flexible working requests from point of hire to support employees work life balance. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our on-going achievements.
For further information, please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification
Central Specimen Reception Duties
- To collect different types of biological samples from the main Pathology laboratories, minor procedures, theatres, and switchboard during the day, including late samples, and maintaining all relevant audit trails.
- Specimen reception: receipt and checking of samples against request forms, liaising with clinical staff regarding labelling errors, identifying and taking appropriate action with high risk specimens and dealing with leaking/damaged samples. Sort samples for processing.
- To prioritise samples according to SOPs and laboratory requirements.
- To input patient-related data received from external referral hospitals, wards and clinical areas including test requests into IT systems.

Laboratory Duties
- To take day to day responsibility for the quality of technical work they undertake.
- To ensure the timely and efficient provision of the technical duties undertaken.
- To sort fixed cell suspensions for safe disposal or transfer into labelled containers for long-term storage.
- To sort samples for short-term storage or safe disposal.
- To prepare and package samples so they can be safely transported to other centres.
- To use laboratory equip