Job summary
- Main area
- Histopathology
- Grade
- Band 4
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Part time - 18.75 hours per week
- Job ref
- 430-CC25-4A
- Employer
- Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Histopathology (Dept)
- Town
- Milton Keynes
- Salary
- £26,530 - £29,114 per annum pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 20/05/2025 23:59
- Interview date
- 03/06/2025
Employer heading

Business Support Officer
Band 4
MKUH staff scored highest for ‘I look forward to coming to work’ (NHS Staff Survey 2023).
You can expect a warm welcome at Milton Keynes University Hospital, our staff are friendly and welcoming. We listen to each other and work together to embed our Trusts values and behaviours. At MKUH we appreciate our staff and reward them with an outstanding benefits package including:
- Free on-site parking
- Free refreshments
- Great flexible working opportunities
- Discounted gym membership
- Lease car scheme
- Generous annual leave and pension scheme
- On site nursery (chargeable)
- Extensive staff health and well-being programme
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital; we conduct research and teaching on site to improve the care of our patients. The hospital is undergoing significant investment, and we are proud to be rated good by the CQC. Visit our website to catch up on our latest news.
Job overview
Business Support Officer
Department: Cellular Pathology & Microbiology
Band 4, Part-time £26,530 - £29,114 per annum pro rata
Hours: 18.75 hours per week (Monday to Friday: 0845-1230), all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
The Pathology department is seeking to recruit an enthusiastic and proactive individual to take up the post of Business Support Officer to provide secretarial and admin support to the Cellular Pathology and Microbiology Laboratory Managers and Operational Service Leads of both departments. The aim of the role is to provide an efficient, effective and high-quality administrative business support service to support the day-to-day operational delivery of diagnostic laboratory services.
Cellular Pathology and Microbiology are busy, diagnostic departments with Cellular Pathology playing a vital role in the Trust's diagnostic cancer service. The successful candidate may also be required to support other areas of pathology as when required.
For more information, please contact the Cellular Pathology Laboratory Manager, Amanda Brice on 01908 995820.
*Unfortunately we are unable to provide sponsorship for this role*
Interview date: 03.06.2025
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will be a professional with strong IT and time management skills, and the ability to communicate confidently and effectively with all staff groups. The candidate will work as part of a professional and friendly team of scientific and support staff to deliver a diagnostic service that meets accreditation & regulatory requirements to deliver effective patient care to the highest possible professional and quality standards.
- To provide an efficient and high-quality administrative business support service to the Cellular Pathology and Microbiology Laboratory Managers and the Operational service leads of both departments.
- The key elements of this role are varied and include administrative duties, personnel and data management, data collection and resource management.
Working for our organisation
"We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute"
"80% of Administrative and Clerical colleagues feel that MKUH has made reasonable adjustments to enable them to do their work" (NHS Staff Survey 2023).
You can expect a warm welcome at Milton Keynes University Hospital, our staff are friendly and welcoming. We listen to each other and work together to embed our Trusts values and behaviours. At MKUH we appreciate our staff and reward them with an outstanding benefits package including:
- Free on-site parking
- Free tea and coffee
- Great flexible working opportunities
- Discounted gym membership
- Lease car scheme
- Generous annual leave and pension scheme
- On site nursery (chargeable)
- Extensive staff health and well-being programme
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital; we conduct research and teaching on site to improve the care of our patients. The hospital is undergoing significant investment, and we are proud to be rated good by the CQC. Visit our website to catch up on our latest news.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
We are looking for a competent and versatile individual with a "can do" attitude and willing to learn new skills to join our team. The candidate will be able to exercise a high level of confidentiality in respect of patient, staff and financial information. The nature of the role means the post holder will work largely independently to ensure all aspects of the role are completed.
Secretarial duties:
- To provide a comprehensive, effective, and high-quality business admin support to the Cellular Pathology and Microbiology Laboratory managers and the Operational Service Leads.
Personnel issues:
- To work closely with the Pathology Business Administrator providing all information in a timely manner, assist with the generation of folders for newly recruited staff and to maintain the personnel files of the Department and to complete the necessary documentation when staff are amending details, leaving, or being recruited.
Data management:
- To setup and maintain data-based records on Excel and provide spreadsheet information in accordance with the needs of the Laboratory Managers.
Please refer to the job description for further details
We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.
MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.
We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.
By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.
Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months
Person specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential criteria
- Good general education including English, minimum of 5 GCSE (Grade A to C) or equivalent.
Desirable criteria
- Strong IT skills in relation to Microsoft packages including word/excel to NVQ level 3 or RSA III or equivalent.
Experience
Essential criteria
- Relevant secretarial/administration experience working within a clinical department.
- Knowledge of relevant Acts i.e., Data Protection which affect daily operations, including awareness of patient confidentiality.
- Ability to input and retrieve information on a computerised system whilst adhering to complex local and national policies and guidelines accurately and efficiently.
- Experience of using: Excel, Access, and Windows.
Desirable criteria
- Experience of working within the NHS.
- In depth understanding of NHS performance targets internal and external.
- Experience of using full range of IT/Patient data systems.
- Knowledge of medical terminology.
- Experience of handling inbound and outbound telephone calls of a potentially sensitive nature whilst recording information accurately into multiple electronic data systems.
Skills
Essential criteria
- Effective verbal and written communication.
- Good telephone manner.
- Excellent word processing skills/computer skills
- Evidence of working under pressure to tight deadlines and dealing with difficult situations e.g., patients, public, visitors and Coroners Office.
- Good administrative skills.
- Good all round communication skills.
- Good customer service skills.
- Strong organizational skills with ability to prioritise.
- Good attention to detail.
- Ability to make decisions using own initiative.
Personal and people development
Essential criteria
- Must be able to work as an integral member of a team.
- Have a flexible and positive approach to work.
- Must have a professional attitude/appearance and be courteous at all times.
- Willing to develop personal skills and knowledge.
Communication
Essential criteria
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Active listener.
- Ability to educate in the use of applications and systems for best practice.
Specific requirements
Essential criteria
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Amanda Brice
- Job title
- Cellular Pathology Laboratory Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
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