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Job summary

Main area
Medical Microbiology
Grade
Band 4
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
430-CC26-1050
Employer
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Microbiology (Dept)
Town
Milton Keynes
Salary
£28,392 - £31,157 Per annum pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
03/08/2026 23:59
Interview date
14/08/2026
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust logo

Associate Practitioner with role in Quality

Band 4

 

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

Associate Practitioner with role in Quality

Department: Microbiology

Band 4, £28,392 - £31,157 Per annum pro rata

Hours: Full time, 37.5 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working 

The Microbiology Department at Milton Keynes University Hospital receives over 210,000 clinical sample requests each year, providing a comprehensive diagnostic service covering bacteriology, molecular diagnostics, virology, serology, mycobacteriology, and parasitology.
The department has recently undergone a successful UKAS assessment against the ISO15189:2022 standard and has been recommended for accreditation, recognising our commitment to delivering safe, effective, and high-quality diagnostic services for our patients. We are also an IBMS/HCPC accredited training laboratory, supporting the development of future Biomedical Scientists and laboratory professionals.
 
'We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute' 

Please note: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Interview date: 14 August 2026

Main duties of the job

We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Band 4 Quality Associate Practitioner to join our Microbiology team. This is an exciting opportunity for an individual who has a genuine interest in microbiology laboratory, quality improvement, and delivering excellent patient-focused services.


The successful candidate will have excellent attention to detail and a commitment to maintaining high standards of laboratory practice. This role provides a varied and rewarding opportunity, combining technical microbiology duties with a key focus on quality support activities that contribute towards maintaining and continuously improving our accredited service.

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.  We have just opened the Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards.

Further investment is underway, including the recently approved Women and Children’s Centre, set to open by 2030.

Visit our website to explore the latest news and opportunities at MKUH - News - Milton Keynes University Hospital - 

For further information about Milton Keynes please visit - Visit Milton Keynes

 

 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

NHS Staff Survey: With high scores in Team Working and Line Management, our teams collaborate, communicate, and care for one another—because we know we’re stronger together.    

* Supporting the delivery of a high-quality microbiology diagnostic service across all laboratory sections.
 
* Performing technical laboratory duties including specimen preparation, culture setup, microscopy, and interpretation of microbiological investigations under appropriate supervision. 
* Processing a wide range of clinical specimens including blood, faeces, urine, sputum, swabs, and other clinical samples. 
* Operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting laboratory analysers and equipment in accordance with departmental procedures. 
* Supporting quality management activities, including:
- Maintaining accurate quality records using the laboratory quality management system.
- Supporting internal audits and compliance monitoring against ISO15189:2022 requirements.
- Assisting with corrective and preventative actions (CAPA).
- Monitoring equipment performance, turnaround times, and quality indicators.
- Supporting reagent and consumable stock control.
- Maintaining training and competency documentation.
* Ensuring all laboratory activities are performed in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), infection prevention policies, Health and Safety requirements, and professional standards.
* Communicating effectively with laboratory colleagues, Biomedical Scientists, clinicians, and other healthcare professionals including South 4 Pathology Partners.
 
The post holder will work flexibly across the Microbiology Department and may be required to support different laboratory sections according to service requirements. The role may involve participation in variable shift patterns, including weekends, public holidays, late evenings, and night shifts (subject to service requirements).
Applicants with previous microbiology laboratory experience will be advantageous; however, individuals with transferable laboratory skills and a willingness to learn are encouraged to apply. 
Milton Keynes University Hospital is committed to supporting staff development and continuous learning. The successful candidate will have opportunities to expand their technical skills, contribute to quality improvement activities, and work alongside experienced Biomedical Scientists within a supportive and progressive laboratory environment.
The selection process will be based on application shortlisting, followed by an interview for successful candidates.

 

Please refer to attached Job description for further information. 

 

Person specification

Qualifications and knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Minimum of five GCSEs (A-C) including English Language, mathematics and a science subject
  • Level 3 qualification (A-level equivalent) in a science subject OR NVQ3 or equivalent experience in relevant discipline
  • Foundation degree or degree in Biomedical Science or accredited degree
  • Willingness to undertake mandatory training.
  • Knowledge of UKAS ISO15189
  • Experience using a Quality Management System (QPulse or equivalent)
  • Experience participating in audits.
  • Understanding of Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) processes
  • Experience monitoring quality indicators/KPIs.
  • Understanding of External Quality Assessment (EQA) and Internal Quality Control (IQC) principles
Desirable criteria
  • Courses attended in Quality, Auditing, Data protection, Health & Safety etc. current legislation awareness
  • Previous NHS mandatory training completed.

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Clinical laboratory knowledge & experience
  • Experience of working with a laboratory computer system
  • Experience of Quality Management Systems
  • Practical experience of a range of diagnostic pathology techniques and equipment
Desirable criteria
  • Experience supporting or assisting in training colleagues

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Intermediate level of computer skills. Keyboard and computer skills acquired through laboratory training and computer skills courses as appropriate. Must include use of QPulse, LIMS such as WinPath, Word and Excel.
  • Ability to plan and prioritize allocated work
  • Ability to use complex automated equipment and associated computer software systems
  • Ability to maintain concentration for long periods
Desirable criteria
  • Team working skills and alongside ability to work alone

Personal and people development

Essential criteria
  • Ability to demonstrate confidentiality and trustworthiness
  • Ability to demonstrate a high degree of concentration and attention to detail
  • Deal calmly and politely with members of hospital staff who are working in areas of extreme pressure
  • Ability to juggle priorities simultaneously, whilst remaining calm
  • Personal maturity and enthusiastic approach.

Communication

Essential criteria
  • Ability to communicate technical information clearly and appropriately, escalating complex queries to Biomedical Scientists where necessary.
  • Understand and apply instructions, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and policies
  • To participate in departmental meetings and contribute
Apprenticeships logoDisability confident leaderHSJ Best places to workCare quality commission - GoodArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardSmoke FreeNational 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
Rizalea Echaluse
Job title
Chief Biomedical Scientist & Operations Manager
Telephone number
01908 995781
Additional information

For further information or an informal discussion about the role, please contact:
Rizalea Echaluse, Chief Biomedical Scientist & Operations Manager on 01908 995781 or Duncan Lyons, Lab Manager on  01908 99 5790.

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