Medical Laboratory Assistant Apprenticeship

Job summary
The Royal Marsden is vital in championing change and improving cancer care through research, innovation, education, and leading-edge practice. We are incredibly proud of our international reputation for pushing the boundaries and for our ground-breaking work ensuring our patients receive the best and latest cancer treatment and care.

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 rotate through the Clinical Genomics laboratories, providing technical support including specimen reception and data entry. They will also support training, quality activities, equipment maintenance and audits, working to defined protocols with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.

Main duties of the job
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 minimal 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.

About us
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.

Details
Date posted: 05 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 3
Salary: £30,630 to £32,346 a year per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 282-SA1976-A-NR
Closing date: 19 November 2026

Job responsibilities

• 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.

Person Specification
Essential education/qualifications: GCSE English and Maths at Grade 4/C or above (or equivalent qualification) and A Level Biology (or another relevant Science subject) at Grade C or above.
Desirable: Evidence of ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Essential experience: Basic understanding of genetics and molecular biology
Desirable experience: Experience with handling biological samples; experience working in a laboratory or technical healthcare environment; awareness of Health and Safety, COSHH, and waste disposal regulations; experience with sample triage, processing, and sendaway; experience mentoring or training junior staff

Essential skills and abilities: Excellent attention to detail and high level of accuracy; strong organisational and time management skills; ability to work under pressure and manage conflicting priorities; ability to follow complex procedures and protocols precisely; effective written and verbal communication; ability to work independently and within a team; ability to handle sensitive/confidential data appropriately; competent in the use of MS Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Essential personal qualities: Self-motivated and proactive; willingness to learn and undertake further training; flexible and adaptable; professional attitude and commitment to maintaining high standards; demonstrates respect, compassion, and teamwork

Apprenticeship Eligibility
Applicants must have lived in the UK/EEA for the last three years, have the legal right to live and work in the UK for the duration of the apprenticeship, not be undertaking another government-funded training programme, not hold a qualification in the same subject at the same level or above, and hold GCSE Maths, English and Science at Grade 4/C or above and be able to provide evidence.

For apprenticeship programme and eligibility queries, please contact the apprenticeships team at View email address on meeveem.com. For further information about the role itself, or to discuss the post in more detail, please contact View email address on meeveem.com.

Please note we do not accept CVs for this role, please make sure to read the application guide attached before applying.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details
Employer name: The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
Address: The Royal Marsden Sutton, Sutton, SM2 5PT, United Kingdom
Employer's website:

For questions about the job, contact: Operations Manager, Emma Poyastro-Pearson, View email address on meeveem.com

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