Job summary
- Main area
- General Pathology
- Grade
- Band 6
- Contract
- Fixed term: 5 months (Until 31 01 June 2027 (Maternity Leave))
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 430-CC26-1085A
- Employer
- Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- General Pathology (Dept)
- Town
- Milton Keynes
- Salary
- £39,959 - £48,117 Per annum pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 01/09/2026 23:59
- Interview date
- 09/09/2026
Employer heading
Specialist Biomedical scientist (POCT)
Band 6
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
Specialist Biomedical Scientist - Point of Care Testing
Department: Point of Care Testing – MKUH Pathology
Band 6, £39,959 - £48,117 Per annum pro rata
Hours: Full time, 37.5 per week on a Fixed Term Contract until until 01 June 2027.
All MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
This is a fixed term position to provide maternity cover.
The Point of Care Testing (POCT) Team, part of the Pathology Department at MKUH, are seeking an engaged and enthusiastic specialist biomedical scientists to help support the service we provide to the wards and other clinical areas throughout the Trust, including community-based projects. Amongst other tasks the post holder will aid with the following:
Manage 200+ POCT devices throughout the Trust, ensuring they are regularly maintained, serviced and repaired when needed.
Run control checks (IQC and EQA) as required and review results
Provide user training to clinical staff using the devices for patient testing
Carry out regular audits on the POCT services and equipment currently in use.
Aid POCT in meeting ISO 15189 standards.
'We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute'
Please note: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.
Interview date: 09 September 2026
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be part of a team delivering Point of Care Testing Services, maintaining devices, training staff in their use and providing the necessary support required to achieve the objectives of efficient and effective patient care, and effective resource management within the hospital. The post holder will be expected to use their specialist knowledge to ensure that the quality of service provided by the department meets the highest possible standards.
The post holder will undertake their responsibilities within the Pathology department to meet all required national and Trust standards. They will be required to work both alone and as part of a departmental team. To attend departmental and other meetings as required and attend external training and educational courses when required, i.e. instrument troubleshooting and repair.
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.
To organise and liaise with the rest of the Point of Care Team, daily duties, duties out of the Department, and cover for absences within the Team, and the organisation of own work patterns.
To perform maintenance and troubleshooting of all point of care testing analysers sited within the Trust, thus maintaining the operational effectiveness of the devices within the Trust.
To maintain consumable stocks on board analytical equipment ensuring minimum down time.
To run Internal Quality Controls through analysers to demonstrate the clinical suitability and reliability of results, and to use judgement to react appropriately to unacceptable results and carry out remedial action if indicated
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.
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
- HCPC State Registration as a BMS
- BSc Biomedical Science or equivalent qualification
- Specialist portfolio or equivalent in a pathology discipline
- Evidence of relevant continued professional development
- Understanding of quality assurance
- Understanding of accreditation standards (ISO 15189)
Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience as a specialist BMS in an NHS pathology laboratory
- Experience of planning and implementing training of other staff.
- Understanding of Quality Assurance
- Experience running verification and validation studies within a pathology laboratory
- Experience of Laboratory Accreditation Processes
Desirable criteria
- Experience working in a POCT role Experience working with POCT multiple POCT devices
- Experience of undergoing UKAS accreditation in POCT.
Skills
Essential criteria
- Effective team leader.
- Knowledge of Health and Safety considerations
- Ability to operate, maintain and calibrate complex equipment
- Competent at analyser troubleshooting
- Numerate and able to carry out scientific calculations
- Able to interpret and action IQC charts and EQA reports
- Ability to work accurately at a rate of output appropriate to a diagnostic laboratory
- Familiarity with Laboratory IT systems and Quality management processes
Desirable criteria
- Good manual dexterity to undertake automated, manual and specialised techniques.
Personal and people development
Essential criteria
- Ability to work alone and as a team
- Ability to work under pressure.
- Flexible approach to help meet the demands of the service
- IT literate
Communication
Essential criteria
- Good communication skills including a clear command of written and spoken English
- Able to communicate with service users in person and via electronic communications.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Phill Dickson
- Job title
- POCT coordinator
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Additional information
Further details can be found in the attached job description but if you have further questions or would like to arrange an informal visit please contact Phill Dickson, POCT coordinator ([email protected])
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