Medical Laboratory Assistant (Histology & Digital Lab)

Work Environment:

This position is fully Lab Based; Kidlington, Oxford, UK.

Travel may be very rarely required on an ad hoc basis.

Regrettably we cannot offer UK sponsorship or any UK Visa's for this role.

Shift Work

You will work on a 7.5 hour shift basis per week excluding lunch (incl occasional weekends)

Shift Times will be scheduled each week on a rota and communicated by your Line Manager

About our Lab

Step into Diagneixa - a cutting-edge digital pathology environment where innovation meets purpose. Working for Diagnexia means taking a step into a forward-thinking, digitally-driven diagnostic laboratory at the forefront of diagnostic innovation.

At the heart of our laboratory in Kidlington Oxford, is a passionate team dedicated to advancing healthcare. For you this means working alongside open, skilled colleagues who inspire growth and learning every day.

We provide unmatched opportunities for ongoing personal and professional career development.

You'll take on new and exciting challenges. And your professional journey will be fuelled by continual learning, amazing collaboration, and working together to make a real difference.

Ready to shape the future of pathology, and grow personally and professionally? If so join us.

About the role

Our Medical Laboratory Assistants are the operational foundation of our Diagnexia Oxford Lab Operations.

You work across the Histopathology laboratory functions as directed by the daily rota, building technical competency against a structured module framework from day one.

Career progression

At Diagneixa , our laboratory team includes senior Biomedical Scientists, Associate Practitioners, Medical Laboratory Assistants and Support Technicians.

We’re going through a really important phase of growth and structure-building within our laboratory.

We have a clear, more intentional MLA model. Once that gives you proper career progression, stronger support, and more opportunity over time.

You can see the role you're joining, understand what sits above it, and know what progression looks like from day 1

Your career journey with us

Our MLA roles are the entry point to our Associate Practitioner (AP) pathway.

You join at entry level Medical Laboratory Assistant (L1), work through probation, and progress to MLA (L2) after achieving technical competency against a predetermined and & structured MLA module framework.

Once MLA (L2) role is the entry point to the Associate Practitioner pathway for those who wish to progress further

Staff who achieve our full L2 module completion and demonstrate the quality behaviours expected at that level are eligible to be considered for the AP track. This is not automatic however, it is subject to a formal selection process and the availability of AP posts.

You may have the opportunity to progress to BMS, subject to you holding an IBMS accredited degree.

Your progression within the role, and your salary, is directly linked to the modules you achieve sign-off on.

Key responsibilities

Receive, log, and label specimens, slides & blocks; check formalin adequacy and chain of custody at the point of receipt

Data entry and competent in the use of the LIMS and Tracking System, including its use in registration and verification of data relating to pathology specimens, slides and blocks

Load and unload tissue processors; check reagent levels, select correct programme, monitor cycle completion

Run routine H&E staining; assess slide quality against defined criteria before release

File, retrieve, and return slides and blocks; maintain storage compliance

Carry out routine and non-routine specimen preparation and/or analysis including assisting medical and scientific staff at dissection, and performing routine laboratory tasks, following training, such as embedding and microtomy

Set up dissection bench; scribe and label cassettes accurately as directed by BMS during cut-up

Load scanners; manage batch queues; identify and report scan failures before end of session

Raise any quality concern, discrepancy, or near-miss to the BMS on shift — same day, every time

Log and communicate using Freshdesk, ClickUp, and chat as required

Ensure compliance with GDPR/CQC regulations and maintain patient records in accordance with all data protection protocols

Respond to incoming calls, voicemails, and email tickets in a polite and supportive manner, seeking scientific staff advice where required.

Basic troubleshooting of customer support problems

Additional Areas

Track and document technical problems

Know the limits of own practice and escalate uncertainties, concerns and technical issues to senior member of staff when appropriate

Assist with Laboratory stock control and carry out regular checks of stock levels, replenishing and ordering these as appropriate

Assist with equipment verification work and Research Pathology technical support as required

Comply with all applicable health and safety requirements

Participate in relevant audits in line with UKAS requirements and ensure ongoing compliance with UKAS ISO 15189 standards in day-to-day work

Participate in CPD activities

The role will include shift work & weekend work as required

Any other duties & responsibilities as may be assigned form time to time

You will be expected to apply judgement, scientific knowledge gained within the role and skills in your day-to-day work, to provide a high quality and timely result service.

This is a non-HCPC registered role , and the post holder will therefore not authorise results, nor take responsibility for results issued.

Regrettably we cannot offer UK sponsorship or any UK Visa's for this role.

About You (Skills and Experience):

Essential skills

Ability to work accurately and reliably in a regulated, time-sensitive environment

Willingness to work across all Histopathology Lab functions as directed

Clear verbal and written communication; ability to raise concerns without hesitation

Commitment to following SOPs and escalating rather than improvising

Ideal (definite bonus if you have these)

Experience of previously working in a busy pathology laboratory or within digital pathology (significant advantage)

Experience in microtomy (significant advantage)

NVQ Level 2/3 in Laboratory Science or equivalent qualification

Experience in MSOffice or Google Sheets

Soft skills we assess for successful MLA’s

You communicate fluently in English, in writing and in person.

You are organised, self-directed, and bring urgency to your work without needing to be chased.

You take ownership of your time and output.

You know that precision matters here. Errors have patient impact and you hold yourself to that standard.

You build trust quickly with internal teams and external partners alike.

You are curious, proactive about your own development, and bring fresh thinking to problems.

What are the benefits of working with Diagnexia ?

Good salary with performance based annual increments.

Healthcare benefits & pension

Annual leave

A true sense of meaning in your work by contributing to better patient outcomes.

The opportunity to work alongside a world-class high performing team in a hyper-growth startup environment.

A chance to work on exciting,challenging and unique projects.

Regular performance feedback and significant career growth opportunities.

A highly collaborative and supportive multi cultural team.

AI enabled company with access to AI tools

About the Company

Diagnexia , a subsidiary of Deciphex: Accelerating Certainty and Pioneering Pathology Services.

Diagnexia , a leading provider of pathology services, operates as a subsidiary of the parent company, Deciphex. Established in Dublin in 2017, Deciphex has rapidly expanded to become a global team of over 150 professionals, offering innovative software solutions to address the pathology gap in b