Permanent Laboratory Support Opportunity in Medical Pathology
An opportunity has presented itself to appoint a suitably qualified candidate into the position of Laboratory Assistant: Peripheral Laboratory. This is a permanent position based at the KZN – uMhlanga Laboratory. The role is essential in supporting laboratory operations through specimen preparation, sample administration, and adherence to pre- and post-testing standard operating procedures within the medical pathology environment.
This position is ideal for a detail-oriented individual with strong laboratory discipline, professional ethics, and the ability to function effectively within a regulated healthcare setting.
Role Overview
The Laboratory Assistant is responsible for performing laboratory specimen preparation and related procedures in accordance with established pre-analytical and post-analytical standard operating procedures. The role also involves administering the receiving, capturing, and distribution of samples to ensure that accurate information is recorded and that samples are processed efficiently in line with service objectives.
The position requires strict compliance with medical ethical guidelines, laboratory standards, and organisational policies, while maintaining quality assurance, safety, and professionalism at all times.
Key Responsibilities
Specimen Receiving and Processing
The successful candidate will receive, sort, and refer specimens for testing where applicable. This includes verifying, capturing, and validating information on the Meditech system against specimens received and tests requested on requisition forms to ensure accuracy and traceability.
The role involves carrying out laboratory procedures for specimen and media preparation in line with specific test requirements and standard operating procedures.
Laboratory Support and Equipment Handling
The Laboratory Assistant will perform tasks that support the analytical process according to discipline requirements. This includes activities such as stain preparation, glassware wash-up, and preparation of laboratory media.
The role also requires operating, maintaining, and calibrating general laboratory equipment such as centrifuges and stopwatches to ensure efficient operation and accurate results. Maintenance activities must be recorded, and equipment malfunctions identified, troubleshooted, and resolved using approved alternative procedures or instructions from the laboratory manager.
Stock Control and Sample Traceability
Responsibilities include labelling and storing samples and media to ensure full traceability in accordance with laboratory procedures. The role further involves monitoring stock levels of consumables and ordering additional supplies to ensure continuous availability of required materials.
Stock delivery to doctors’ rooms must be coordinated to support uninterrupted laboratory services.
Quality Assurance, Safety, and Housekeeping
The Laboratory Assistant must implement sound housekeeping practices and work collaboratively as part of a team to ensure a safe working environment in compliance with relevant legislation and safety protocols.
This includes adherence to infection control measures, correct disposal of bio-hazardous waste, ongoing maintenance of quality assurance standards, and participation in internal and external quality control audits as delegated.
Administrative Duties and Customer Interaction
The position includes performing hospital rounds to distribute reports and collect submitted samples in accordance with standard operating procedures. The Laboratory Assistant will handle and refer administrative queries and customer complaints to ensure timely resolution.
The role also requires tracking the progress of sample delivery by couriers to ensure specimens are received by designated laboratories, processed efficiently, and results returned within prescribed turnaround times.
Reception area management, directing clients to relevant departments, offering professional customer service, and representing the organisation ethically within the medical pathology field are key components of the role.
Professional Conduct and Development
The successful candidate must adhere to professional and ethical conduct requirements in line with organisational policies and HPCSA ethical standards. This includes attending seminars, participating in continuing professional development activities, and maintaining up-to-date CPD records that can be produced upon request.
Strict adherence to uniform protocols and organisational standards is mandatory.
Minimum Requirements
Candidates applying for this role must meet the following criteria:
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Registration in a relevant discipline with the HPCSA
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Relevant certificate qualification
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0–1 year relevant working experience
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Knowledge of organisational policy and procedures
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Understanding of medical ethical guidelines within medical pathology
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Familiarity with laboratory information systems
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Knowledge of laboratory standard operating procedures and processes
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Basic understanding of anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology relevant to medical pathology
Required Skills and Competencies
The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
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Ability to work in a pressured environment
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Ability to work as part of a team
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Strong attention to detail
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Confidentiality and sensitivity
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Good hand-eye coordination
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Problem-solving ability
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Rule orientation
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Effective self-management
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Follow-up of incompletes
Employment Details
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Position Type: Permanent
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Location: KZN – uMhlanga Laboratory
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Compensation: Commensurate with qualification and experience level
Application Process
Interested and suitably qualified candidates are encouraged to submit their applications for consideration before the closing date.
Reference Number: 1104655
Closing Date: 21 January 2026
Applications can be submitted through the official recruitment process or via the opportunity listed on the platform below:
View and apply for laboratory vacancies
If no response is received by the closing date or within a reasonable period thereafter, applicants should consider their application unsuccessful.
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