Job summary
- Main area
- Health Scientists
- Grade
- Band 8A
- Contract
- Fixed term: 12 months (12 months from start date)
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 430-CC26-729A
- Employer
- Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Chemical Pathology (Dept)
- Town
- Milton Keynes
- Salary
- £55,690 - £62,682 Per annum, pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 25/03/2026 23:59
- Interview date
- 07/04/2026
Employer heading
Chemical Pathology Operational Manager
Band 8A
At Milton Keynes University Hospital, you will be welcomed into a friendly and supportive environment where teamwork and respect are at the heart of everything we do. We are proud to live our Trust values and behaviours every day, creating a culture where everyone feels heard and valued.
MKUH staff's Motivation and Involvement scores are among the highest in our peer group, showing that our people feel inspired and included in decision-making (Staff Survey, 2024).
Our benefits
We believe in recognising and rewarding the amazing contribution of our staff and that is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your wellbeing, work-life balance, and professional growth, including:
- Free on-site parking including EV charging
- Complimentary refreshments
- Flexible working arrangements
- Discounted gym membership
- Salary sacrifice car scheme
- Generous annual leave, with the option to bank holiday entitlement
- Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme
- On-site nursery (charges apply)
- A wide-ranging staff health and wellbeing programme including EAP
- VIVUP products to support your mental, physical, and financial Wellbeing
Job overview
Chemical Pathology Operational Manager
Department: Pathology
Band: 8A - £55,690 - £62,682 Per annum, pro rata
Hours: Full time, 37.5 per week, 6 Month FTC or Secondment, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
The MKUH Pathology services are seeking an engaging and enthusiastic HCPC registered individual to provide operational leadership for the Chemical Pathology department this is a initially 6 month Fixed term or secondment post with a possibility of extension. The post holder will:-
• Manage and professionally direct a team of scientific and support staff to deliver a diagnostic service that meets accreditation & regulatory requirements to deliver effective patient care and resource management.
• Will ensure the diagnostic service is responsive to clinical needs and is developed accordingly.
• Will undertake their responsibilities within the Chemical Pathology department to meet all required national and Trust standards.
• Will liaise with the S4 network chemical team to ensure standard approaches are undertaken
'We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute'
Please note: We may be unable to offer sponsorship for this role.
Interview date: 07 April 2026
Main duties of the job
The successful applicant should be able to deliver the following duties,
• Liaise with departmental technical and clinical staff to ensure that all scientific and clinical work is performed to professional standards.
• Liaise with other professionals e.g. the coroner’s office and the police, which may include sensitive information, as required.
• Motivate staff in the performance of their duties to enable them to meet personal and departmental targets.
• Use experience, knowledge and judgement to interpret complex results, take appropriate actions in line with local and national policies.
• To advise and provide expert interpretation of results produced by the laboratory.
• Provide statistical analysis of service workload including test volumes, cost per test, test turnaround times and test requesting frequency/repeat intervals.
• Management of staff and activity within the department such that the expected 24/7 service level is achieved irrespective of urgency and hours of service i.e. business continuity planning, unsocial hours working rosters and staff leave/absence
• Manage significant service changes and ensure Pathology Change Control process is adhered to.
• See JD and Person Specification for Further detail of the Role.
Working for our organisation
Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a “Good” rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.
As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.
We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.
Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards – a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards – and the recently approved Women and Children’s Centre, set to open by 2030.
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Detailed job description and main responsibilities
NHS Staff Survey: 73.4% of our staff feel they receive the respect they deserve from colleagues—a meaningful improvement from last year. At MKUH, mutual respect isn’t just a value—it’s a daily reality.
Communication and relationship skills
• Liaise with the Blood Sciences manager and the Consultant Chemical Pathologist in the technical, scientific, clinical and administrative work of the Chemical Pathology Department.
Analytical & Judgemental Skills
• Use experience, knowledge and judgement to interpret complex results, take appropriate actions in line with local and national policies.
Planning & Organisational Skills
• Coordinate delivery of laboratory service with other Blood Science and Pathology operational leads.
Please refer to attached Job description for further information.
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 enough applications have been received.
Person specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential criteria
- HPC State Registration and MSc/FIBMS or equivalent.
- Evidence of relevant continued professional development.
- Extensive knowledge of ISO 15189 standards for Medical Laboratories
- Comprehensive specialist knowledge in the field of Clinical Chemistry
- Knowledge of laboratory training and competency requirements
- Extensive understanding of Quality Assurance
- Knowledge of professional Health & Safety legislation/requirements
- Knowledge of GDPR requirements
Desirable criteria
- Management qualification/experience.
- Knowledge of NHSI Pathology initiatives i.e. Model Hospital data requirements
Experience
Essential criteria
- Extensive post qualification experience in Clinical Chemistry at a Senior level (band 7 and above)
- Experience in training, organisation and management of staff of all grades.
- Experience in the evaluation and introduction of new technologies and techniques
- Extensive experience in the use and maintenance of Quality Management Systems including ISO 15189 accreditation inspections
Desirable criteria
- Experience in financial/ resource management
Skills
Essential criteria
- Ability to manage competing priorities
- Literate with all Microsoft Office applications
- Report writing skills
- Complex data interpretation skills
- Statistical analysis skills
- Complex option appraisal skills
- Organisational skills leading to service delivery
- Strategic planning skills
- Change control/management skills
- Highly developed practical and technical skills in chemical pathology laboratory techniques
Desirable criteria
- Risk assessment skills
- Self-inspection auditing skills
Personal and people development
Essential criteria
- Line management & HR experience/skills including staff AJR, absence monitoring and performance management
- Teaching/Training skills at a level suitable for clinical, technical & support staff
Communication
Essential criteria
- Good communication skills including a clear command of written and spoken English with report writing skills
- Customer care/service user skills
- Presentation Skills
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
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
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Nazia Hussain
- Job title
- Pathology Services Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Additional information
If you think this opportunity for you, call us for an informal chat/Visit.
For more information, please contact Nazia Hussain
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