Medical Laboratory Assistant Apprenticeship

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

Sutton (SM2 5PT)

Closes in 12 days (Tuesday 27 October 2026)

Posted on 14 October 2026

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Summary

Working alongside Biomedical Scientists, you will assist with the preparation, storage and monitoring of stem cell products, support equipment and stock management, carry out environmental monitoring, and help maintain high standards of quality and safety.

Wage

£30,630 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Laboratory technician (level 3)
Hours
Full time- 37.5 hours per week

37 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 December 2026

Duration

2 years

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

Under the supervision of the Head/Deputy Head of the Cellular Therapy Laboratory, you will:

  • Work in clean-room environments, following strict aseptic procedures and laboratory standards
  • Perform routine laboratory tasks, including running controls and full blood counts
  • Support stem cell processing and the storage of cryopreserved stem cell products
  • Assist with the maintenance, cleaning and monitoring of laboratories, clean rooms and cryogenic storage facilities
  • Respond to enquiries and support the day-to-day operation of the service
  • Work safely within the scope of the role, seeking advice when required
  • Carry out duties across laboratory, clean-room, storage and office environments, including some physical tasks and regular movement between departments and clinical areas

Where you'll work

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
Downs Road
Sutton
SM2 5PT

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

I & F LIMITED

Training course

Laboratory technician (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Comply with health and safety policies and procedures including HASWA, COSHH, risk assessments, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), manual handling, emergency procedures.
  • Maintain excellent housekeeping, in accordance with organisation Standard Procedures
  • Order and control stocks of laboratory materials where required
  • Identify, organise and use resources effectively to complete tasks applying the concepts of resource efficiency e.g energy, water and waste
  • Adhere to internal and external regulatory requirements e.g. GLP, GMP, GDP
  • Prepare for, and perform, laboratory experiments, tests or tasks following any specified methodologies to provide reliable, accurate data e.g. weighing, pipetting, filtering, spectroscopic techniques, chromatography techniques
  • Demonstrate technical competence in the use of specified instruments and equipment
  • Report faults and seek diagnostic advice to maintain equipment in good working order, including calibration where required
  • Complete documentation proficiently
  • Keep accurate records of laboratory work undertaken and results
  • Contribute to the preparation of reports.
  • Use simple statistical techniques for data presentation and evaluation e. g calculation of median and standard deviation, production of graphs
  • Demonstrate problem solving techniques including identification of sources of error and how they can be reduced e.g. human error
  • Use standard software packages and applications e.g. Microsoft Office suite
  • Use Laboratory Information Management systems to support their work
  • Address non-routine problems with samples and instrumentation, within defined areas
  • Identify relevant information from scientific sources e.g. supervisors, literature etc. in order to contribute to solutions
  • Participate in continuous performance improvement of systems and processes relevant to the work environment e.g. workplace organisation techniques, accreditation (e.g. ISO, UKAS) and proficiency testing.
  • Evaluate data, recognise and call attention to anomalous or unusual results
  • Comply with health and safety policies and procedures including HASWA, COSHH, risk assessments, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), manual handling, emergency procedures.
  • Maintain excellent housekeeping, in accordance with organisation Standard Procedures
  • Order and control stocks of laboratory materials where required
  • Identify, organise and use resources effectively to complete tasks applying the concepts of resource efficiency e.g energy, water and waste
  • Adhere to internal and external regulatory requirements e.g. GLP, GMP, GDP
  • Prepare for, and perform, laboratory experiments, tests or tasks following any specified methodologies to provide reliable, accurate data e.g. weighing, pipetting, filtering, spectroscopic techniques, chromatography techniques
  • Demonstrate technical competence in the use of specified instruments and equipment
  • Report faults and seek diagnostic advice to maintain equipment in good working order, including calibration where required
  • Complete documentation proficiently
  • Keep accurate records of laboratory work undertaken and results
  • Contribute to the preparation of reports.
  • Use simple statistical techniques for data presentation and evaluation e. g calculation of median and standard deviation, production of graphs
  • Demonstrate problem solving techniques including identification of sources of error and how they can be reduced e.g. human error
  • Use standard software packages and applications e.g. Microsoft Office suite
  • Use Laboratory Information Management systems to support their work
  • Address non-routine problems with samples and instrumentation, within defined areas
  • Identify relevant information from scientific sources e.g. supervisors, literature etc. in order to contribute to solutions
  • Participate in continuous performance improvement of systems and processes relevant to the work environment e.g. workplace organisation techniques, accreditation (e.g. ISO, UKAS) and proficiency testing.
  • Evaluate data, recognise and call attention to anomalous or unusual results

Training schedule

This training schedule has not been finalised. Check with this employer if you’ll need to travel to a college or training location for this apprenticeship.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

Min 4 GCSE's, or equivalent, incl. Maths & English (grade C/4 Min)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative

Other requirements

Applicants must:

• Be aged 18 or over due to working inside the lab
• 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
• Hold GCSE maths, English and Science at Grade 4/C or above and be able to provide evidence

About this employer

The Royal Marsden NHS Trust is the largest comprehensive cancer centre in Europe with a national and international reputation for high quality patient care, research & development and education. It is situated on 3 sites; two in Central London and one at Sutton in Surrey.

Disability Confident

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits, learning and development opportunities and clear career pathways. 

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

I & F LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000059040.

Apply now

Closes in 12 days (Tuesday 27 October 2026)

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.