Job summary
- Main area
- Histopathology
- Grade
- Band 4
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 430-CC26-1098A
- Employer
- Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Histopathology (Dept)
- Town
- Milton Keynes
- Salary
- £28,392 - £31,157 Per annum pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 01/09/2026 23:59
- Interview date
- 14/09/2026
Employer heading
Associate Practitioner
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
Department: Cellular Pathology Department
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 Cellular Pathology department at #TeamMKUH have recently had a business case approved to expand our workforce due to our popular and growing services. As the demand for pathology services increases, we are investing in our workforce, welcoming talented Biomedical Scientists, Associate Practitioners, Assistant Technical Officers, administration staff and other registered healthcare professionals who bring fresh expertise and innovation to the department. This investment in service will support a move to a 6-day working week.
'We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute'
Please note: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.
Interview date: 14 September 2026
Main duties of the job
Cellular Pathology is a busy but friendly department processing more than 23,000 histology specimens and 1200 diagnostic cytology specimens per year and plays a vital role in the Trust’s diagnostics cancer service.
We are looking for a competent and versatile individual with a positive ‘can do’ attitude who is willing to learn new skills to join our team in the role of Associate Practitioner.
The successful candidate will have previous laboratory experience. They will participate in core duties within the laboratory including receiving and processing patient samples, data entry, equipment operation and maintenance, managing laboratory stock control and waste disposal, digital scanning of slides and referrals to specialist centres, microtomy and embedding and IHC support, amongst other tasks. Training will be given to achieve competency.
The successful candidate will have GCSEs in Science, Maths, and English, and an NVQ level 3 or equivalent level qualification or qualifications with a laboratory relevance / equivalent experience in a relevant discipline. In addition to this, you must also have good verbal and written communication skills, have basic IT skills and enjoy working individually and in a team. The role involves some lifting and handling tasks.
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: 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.
Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Liaise closely with departmental technical, administrative, and clinical staff to ensure that all technical work is performed to required standards.
To liaise with other healthcare professionals in a professional and competent manner providing approved departmental information as appropriate.
Be able to work both independently and as part of a departmental team.
To attend departmental and other meetings as required.
To attend external training and educational courses when required
Always maintain a professional approach to work behaving courteously and with professional maturity.
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
- Minimum of five GCSEs (A-C) including English, mathematics, and a science subject
- Level 3 qualification (A-level equivalent) in a science subject OR NVQ3 or equivalent experience in relevant discipline
- Basic to intermediate computer skills
- Knowledge of importance of confidentiality
Desirable criteria
- Foundation degree or degree in Biomedical Science or accredited degree
Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience of working in a hospital Cellular Pathology laboratory
- Staff training and competency assessment
- Experience of using a LIMS
Desirable criteria
- Experience of quality management
Skills
Essential criteria
- Ability to prioritise and manage conflicting priorities and complete tasks within given timeframes
- Effective team worker
- Good communication and organizational skills
Desirable criteria
- Technical and scientific troubleshooting skills
Personal and people development
Essential criteria
- Ability to work independently under own initiative and as part of a team
- Ability to work under pressure
- Be confident, diplomatic and have personal & professional maturity
- Self-motivated and patient focused
Communication
Essential criteria
- Effective listening skills
- Good interpersonal skills
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Amanda Brice
- Job title
- Laboratory Manager
- Telephone number
- 01908 995820
- Additional information
For more information, please contact Amanda Brice, Laboratory Manager or Marie Delaney, Operational Manager on 01908 995820
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