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Job summary

Main area
Cellular Sciences
Grade
Band 2
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
430-CC25-190A
Employer
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
General Pathology (Dept)
Town
Milton Keynes
Salary
£24,465 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
26/08/2025 23:59
Interview date
05/09/2025

Employer heading

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust logo

Healthcare Science Assistant

Band 2

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

Healthcare Science Assistant

Department: Pathology - PSU  

Band 2 £24,465 per annum

Full-time 37.5 hours per week, worked across 7 days including weekends/Bank Holidays. Shifts worked between 0845 to 2100 or as required, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working

Pathology and Blood Sciences have had major investment in new equipment and refurbishment. We are committed to the quality of service we provide our patients and users and were recently awarded ISO 15189 accreditation for Haematology/Blood Transfusion and Chemistry repertoires.

Here at MKUH, we have committed leadership who engage our staff, listen to innovates ideas, and involve our people in the challenges and improvements that our organisation faces. Continuing professional and personal development is encouraged and supported. We provide a comprehensive 24/7 service which staff support through flexible rostering. 

For further information, contact Rachel Mason, PSU Manager at [email protected] on 01908 995769 or Jonathan Popoola Deputy PSU Manager at [email protected] on 01908 995758.

Interview date: 05.09.2025

 

Main duties of the job

  • To provide essential pre-analytical management of pathology specimens and requests to maintain workflow to specialist laboratory services for timely analysis.
  • To provide assistance to both patients and clinical staff using the pathology service.
  • To manage deliveries of patient material, consumables, reagents and mail.
  • To provide this role over a 7 day working pattern and support delivery of a 24/7 pathology service.
  • This is a developmental role from which staff may progress to the Pathology Healthcare Science Assistant – Higher Level position, following demonstration of knowledge and competency for that role.

Working for our organisation

"We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute"

"Our staff scored Autonomy and Control at 7.19, well above the national average. Here, you're trusted to lead, innovate and shape your work"  (NHS Staff Survey 2024)

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

Applications are invited to join the Pathology Support Unit of Blood Sciences as a Healthcare Science Assistant working with a team of dedicated healthcare professionals to deliver a high quality service that is responsive to patient requirements. You will be a key member of the PSU team providing support services to departments analysing and reporting on blood, urine, faeces and other materials to achieve the objectives of efficient and effective patient care. You will be required to deliver a service that meets the quality standards of ISO 15189 and participate in work patterns that support our 24/7 service.

  • Maintain a professional approach to work at all times and to deal courteously with enquiries from within and outside the hospital.
  • Manage Pathology reception, receiving visitors and patients, dealing with enquiries and ensuring that printed results are sent to requesters at an acceptable rate.
  • Manage telephone enquiries, ensuring the caller is authorised to receive personal and/or confidential information, passing on enquiries to BMS (biomedical scientist) staff where appropriate & giving out authorised results to medical & nursing staff.
  • Comply with Data Protection regulations and maintain patient confidentiality.
  • Monitor and action all Pathology mail received

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
  • Level 2 qualification i.e. GCSE in Maths and/or Science.
  • Knowledge and understanding of Microsoft Office applications
Desirable criteria
  • Knowledge of Manual Handling and Health & Safety legislation
  • Knowledge of ISO 15189 Standards for Medical laboratories
  • Knowledge of Data Protection Action and GDPR

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience in Healthcare and/or Healthcare Science
  • Customer Service/Care experience
Desirable criteria
  • Experience in NHS Healthcare Science
  • Experience using with Laboratory Information Systems

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Record Keeping skills
  • Good organisational skills
  • Methodical and accurate approach to tasks

Personal and people development

Essential criteria
  • Ability to work individually and in a team
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Ability to manage conflict
  • Ability to train other staff

Communication

Essential criteria
  • Clear and accurate written and verbal use of English communication at all levels of the organisation
  • Good Telephone ability
  • Ability to apply principles of GDPR

Specific requirements

Essential criteria
  • Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
  • Physically able and mobile
  • Able to work 7 day pattern between 0845-2100
  • Flexible to changing service requirements

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoHSJ Best places to workCare quality commission - GoodArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardDisability confident employerNational Preceptorship for Nursing Quality Mark 2024

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Rachel Mason
Job title
Pathology Support Unit Manager
Email address
[email protected]
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