Medical Laboratory Assistant
SYNLAB Pay Band 3
Main area: Virology
Grade: SYNLAB Pay Band 3
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref: SPS-RRF-03
Site: Southwest Pathology Services Laboratory
Town: Taunton
Salary: £25,760 to £27,476 per annum depending on experience
Closing: 18/11/2026 23:59

The place to work in pathology

We are looking for top talent to join the UK's leading and fastest growing pathology company – a scientific organisation with a clinical purpose.

Job overview
The infection science team at Southwest Pathology Services (SPS) in Somerset are looking for a Band 3 Medical Laboratory Assistant, to join our team of professionals, to make a difference in the field. We are seeking individuals who are dedicated to providing a high-quality testing service and are enthusiastic about mentoring and sharing knowledge. Take the next step in your career and be part of our innovative and dynamic organisation.

Our infection science team operates its services at the Hub laboratory. The role also involves some weekend working, and early and late shift working patterns. This post is for infection sciences MLA, but Post holder can start with training in Virology/Molecular.

At SYNLAB, we believe in nurturing a culture of well-being and ensuring our employees are supported both professionally and personally. We offer a Wellbeing Allowance worth up to £1500 per annum for our esteemed team members working in Band 2 - 6 roles. SPS maintains a comprehensive training budget designed to support the career development of all staff members. This investment ensures that employees have access to the necessary resources and opportunities to enhance their skills and knowledge and advance their professional growth.

Main duties of the job
As a Medical Laboratory Assistant within infection sciences, you will work closely with Associate Practitioners and Biomedical scientists to support testing and deliver patient-centred scientific excellence, while maintaining high-quality standards in accordance with ISO 15189. This includes data entry, sample processing techniques, and supporting the efficient operation of the Virology service.

SPS will commit to support you in developing your skills and knowledge in line with your professional growth and our business interests. Most importantly, through our shared values, you will help to make a positive difference to the lives, health and wellbeing of those within our community.

Working for our organisation
Formed in 2012, Southwest Pathology Services (SPS) is a joint venture between SYNLAB UK & Ireland and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust. The partnership serves a population of around 500,000 and delivers services to the Trust and more than 100 GP practices, delivering on over 9 million tests annually.

The department is an IBMS accredited training laboratory and has full UKAS accreditation.

Originally, there was a single site at each hospital with both undertaking similar urgent and non-urgent tests. There is now a well-developed central 'hub' laboratory in Taunton with an 'essential services laboratory' at Musgrove Park Hospital and Yeovil District Hospital to provide urgent testing.

SYNLAB UK & Ireland have extensive experience of working in partnership with the NHS to deliver and improve pathology services through its existing pathology joint ventures - including Southwest Pathology Services (SPS). Our team at SPS have been fundamental to the principle of making a positive difference to healthcare in Somerset for over a decade. We hold ISO15189 UKAS accreditation and are an HCPC approved training Laboratory for both IBMS Registration and Specialist Portfolios.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Specific responsibilities include assisting and carrying duties in the following areas:

• Provide support in specimen reception areas of the laboratory, for specimen receipt, and data entry using LIMS systems.
• Provide support for the receipt and sample processing.
• Rotate through all areas of the Laboratory as required (dependent on experience and training), to perform all designated duties in accordance with local working practices, to maintain high personal standards and conform to Health and Safety regulations.
• Collaborating effectively with other members of the laboratory team, to ensure efficient workflow and timely delivery of test results.
• You will be expected rotate between all areas within the infection sciences department, depending on the service needs.
• Main duties include Sample reception, sample processing, sample storage, pre-analytical sample analysis, analyser maintenance, analyser set up, waste management, preparing samples for transportation to external laboratories etc.
• To prepare and process clinical specimens for testing, within operating procedures and protocols.
• To work within agreed quality standards of service delivery and turnaround times under the supervision of Team Managers and Pre-Analytics coordinators.
• To continue with personal development through academic or practical experience.

Person specification
Qualifications

• Essential: A minimum requirement of 3 GCSEs to include English and Maths and at least one science subjects.
• Desirable: NVQ3, or equivalent level of knowledge, Science A – Levels or a degree entry qualification.

Experience

• Essential: Working knowledge of the receipt and preparation of samples for biomedical testing. Good degree of accuracy & numeracy. Knowledge of computer applications in use within Pathology, particularly LIMS, Quality Management System and Procurement system and health and safety procedure. Experience of working in a Biomedical laboratory.
• Desirable: Ability to communicate technical information accurately, verbally, written and electronically.

Skills

• Essential: Good degree of accuracy, numeracy & interpretive skills. Knowledge of computer applications and LIMS including Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

Applications are welcomed from applicants with a disability. We can make reasonable adjustments and offer support and advice in a variety of ways throughout the application process. All applicants are welcome to apply regardless of age, disability, gender, marital status, race, nationality or ethnic origin, religion, or sexual orientation. Equality of opportunity is our policy.

For our Permanent workforce we offer a competitive benefits package. All employees are entitled to: Contributory pension scheme, Generous annual leave entitlement, Ground breaking development opportunities.

Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. All employees have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in the course of their daily duties and for ensuring that they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.

Please apply for this post on-line. If you have problems with using the online process, or need any assistance, please email recruitment@synlab.co.uk

This post will require a submission for Disclosure to be made to check for any unspent criminal convictions.