Medical Laboratory Assistant - Microbiology

An opportunity has arisen for a Medical Laboratory Assistant to join the Microbiology department at University Hospitals Dorset.

The Microbiology laboratory is well-equipped, fully computerised, holds UKAS accreditation and is approved for training. We currently offer diagnostic microbiology to The Royal Bournemouth Hospital and general practice. The laboratory routinely handles in excess of 150,000 specimens per year and alongside this is supporting COVID testing.

The successful candidate will be part of the microbiology team providing a diagnostic medical microbiology service contributing to the clinical care of patients and control of infectious diseases within the hospital and community, by providing support to the Biomedical Scientists and other staff. As such this post will be a varied and interesting role that will require an adaptable and flexible working ethic. All training will be provided to the candidate who will then backfill for staff leave between the sections.

This is an exciting time to join the pathology team in Dorset as we are in the process of reconfiguring the services across the county including the construction of a new pathology hub laboratory at the Bournemouth site.

Working hours are 37.5 per week, which includes participation in a weekend rota.

After training, MLAs will be required to carry out a range of laboratory procedures including processing diagnostic specimens. Concentration, accuracy and attention to detail are essential to these processes and medical laboratory assistants will be expected to provide a helpful and professional service to patients and staff within the NHS.

This is a very exciting time to join our hospitals in Dorset. We are in line to receive a significant national investment of £147 million to help transform our services and redevelop Poole Hospital and the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals, now merged as University Hospitals Dorset. We have been able to access these national funds because we have such a good plan in Dorset.

Our vision is to join up our services so they can be delivered in a more integrated way. We have a great opportunity together to improve outcomes for patients, make better use of all our resources, and ensure our services can be provided on a sustainable basis.

For developing our workforce, the aim is to establish modern, well-equipped centres of excellence with sustainable roles for staff, standardisation of education and training so that we can attract and retain skilled clinical and non-clinical staff to Dorset. This is a great opportunity for you to be part of the transformation as our two hospital trusts also merge.