Blood Sciences MLA Supervisor
At a glance
- Band
- Band 4
- Contract
- Permanent
- Pattern
- Part-time
- Posted
- 10/09/2026
- Closes
- 18/09/2026
Sponsorship verdict
This contract type is not eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship.
NHS Trusts cannot issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for part-time, bank, locum, zero-hours, job-share or short fixed-term (under 12 months) contracts under current Home Office rules. This applies even when the wider Trust holds a Skilled Worker licence.
“(NOTE - sponsorship for this role is NOT available).”Quoted verbatim from the source advert
Role summary
This is a part-time permanent position for a Blood Sciences Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) Supervisor within the Pathology department at Stepping Hill Hospital. The role involves supervising the MLA team, coordinating their activities, and ensuring adherence to departmental policies. The supervisor will also be responsible for training and competency assessment of the MLA team, contributing to the diagnostic services for hospital patients and the wider community. Two part-time posts are available, either 22.5h (Mon-Wed) or 15h (Thu-Fri) per week, with main hours from 12:00 to 20:30.
Key responsibilities
- Supervise, carry out and assign MLA team activities and duties in all specimen reception areas to ensure workflow turnaround time (TAT) targets are achieved.
- Manage the 24/7 MLA rota to ensure it is adequately staffed and shifts are covered, including approving annual leave and covering sickness absences.
- Conduct daily MLA huddles to cascade information and acquire team feedback for escalation to Technical Heads of Department and/or Senior BMS.
- Deliver and coordinate training and competency assessment of the MLA team.
- Ensure relevant departmental and Trust processes are followed in accordance with SOPs and policies such as Specimen Acceptance Policy and departmental H&S policies.
- Support with Trust appraisal process for MLA Team along with Senior BMS and THODs.
Essential criteria
- GCSE (or equivalent) at level C (grade 4/5) in 4 subjects including Maths, English, Science and IT.
- Awareness of patient and staff confidentiality
- Knowledge of Health & Safety in the workplace
- Previous experience of co-ordinating and supervising a team and staff management delivering training and competency checks.
- Experience of working as part of a team in a busy environment
- Ability to oversee and supervise work of others
- Able to follow written instructions effectively and consistently
- Able to accurately record information electronically and in written form with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Able to manage own time to complete an allocated task.
- Computer keyboard skills
- Proficient computer skills including knowledge and use of Microsoft Office programmes
- Good Interpersonal skills, including good verbal communications, telephone manner and able to deal with colleagues and service users compassionately.
- Must be motivated and have a positive attitude to teamwork.
- Reliable and works to high standards
- Excellent organisational and time management skills
- Self-motivated with the ability to use initiative where appropriate.
- Able to communicate effectively with staff of different disciplines.
- Remain calm and logical under pressure and able to cope with frequent interruptions and changing priorities.
- Willingness to undertake training and personal development as required.
- Occupational Health Clearance
- Able to handle and process a variety of clinical samples e.g. urine, faeces, blood, sputum
- Able to participate in early/late and weekend rotas to meet the needs of the service when required.
- Able to participate in night rota to meet the needs of the service when required.
Desirable criteria
- A level qualifications in relevant Science subjects
- Knowledge of POCT
- At least 1-year previous NHS laboratory experience
- Experience of working in NHS
- Experience of problem solving and implementing change
- Experience with using Pathology LIMS system
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 4 at £26,530 – £29,114 a year, across England.
This advert: £28,392 – £31,157 — outside the standard scale; check for HCAS/London weighting.
Posted 1d ago · Closes in 8d
Plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Full advert · preview
Stockport NHS Foundation Trust
Blood Sciences MLA Supervisor
The closing date is 18 September 2026
Job summary
Band 4 - Blood Sciences Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) Supervisor Post
Permanent contract - PART TIME - either 22.5h (Mon - Wed) or 15h (Thu - Fri) per week.
2x part time posts available (as mentioned above). Main hours will be 1200 - 2030. Successful candidates will be expected to cover each others shifts where required by the department . Also flexibility to adapt to unexpected workload and staffing pressures will be required. E.g. recent implementation of new LIMS has resulted in temporary later working.
Must be available to cover weekend and night shifts when all other options have been exhausted.
(NOTE - sponsorship for this role is NOT available).
The Pathology department at Stepping Hill Hospital (Stockport NHS Foundation Trust) is seeking a Medical Laboratory assistant to join the Blood Sciences team to assist with processing samples that arrive in the lab in the evenings. The successful applicant(s) would be joining a friendly and passionate staffing group providing diagnostic services to the hospital patients and wider community.
The role supports the delivery of Blood Sciences services. The ideal candidate will be expected to supervise the MLA team, carry out and assign day to day work in the Pathology Specimen Reception areas. E
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