What is an Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA)?

An MLA is a member of the support group of workers employed in all laboratory disciplines throughout the National Health Service. They can be found working alongside a number of professional groups e.g. biomedical scientists, clinical scientists, pathologists and medical staff.

MLAs are staff whose numbers have increased greatly over the last decade.

The quality and importance of the work done by MLA staff is crucial to patient service delivery. Their concentration and application to detail is of utmost importance at all times while performing duties and so they have a very valid and vital role to play within laboratory services.

The duties include:

1. Specimen reception and inspection
2. Sample collation, labelling and preparation for analysis
3. Patient data input to computer system
4. Assist in analysis of samples using automated machinery and manual techniques
5. Preparation of reagents and quality control material
6. Post analysis sample storage and retrieval for further or retrospective testing
7. Answer telephone enquiries and re-route for specialist clinical advice and guidance as requested or required

They are the first port of call for all levels of medical, nursing, secretarial and ancillary staff as well as patients and visitors who arrive at the department and so the profile they project reflects on the entire department and laboratory services.