Job summary
- Main area
- Histopathology
- Grade
- Band 5
- Contract
- 8 months (fixed term)
- Hours
- Part time - 32 hours per week
- Job ref
- 430-CC26-968A
- Employer
- Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Histopathology (Dept)
- Town
- Milton Keynes
- Salary
- £32,073 - £39,043 Per annum pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 19/06/2026 23:59
- Interview date
- 22/06/2026
Employer heading
Biomedical Scientist
Band 5
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
Biomedical Scientist
Department: Cellular Pathology
Band 5: £32,073 - £39,043 per annum pro rata
Hours: 32 hours per week (part-time) on a Fixed Term Contract until 14 February 2027
All MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
The Cellular Pathology department is seeking to recruit an enthusiastic, proactive, and experienced individual to take up the post of Biomedical Scientist in our professional and friendly team, on a fixed term contract to cover a period of maternity leave.
You will be a key member of the team participating in routine and specialist duties that enable the day-to-day operational delivery of the Cellular Pathology laboratory service.
You must be HCPC registered and possess a BSc in an appropriate discipline. You will be a professional with strong technical and troubleshooting skills, and the ability to communicate confidently and effectively with staff at all levels. You will work as part of a team of scientific and support staff to deliver a diagnostic service that meets accreditation & regulatory requirements to deliver effective patient care.
For more information, please contact Amanda Brice, Cellular Pathology Laboratory Manager or Marie Delaney, Chief BMS/Operational Manager on 01908 995820
Interview dates: 22 and/or 23 June 2026
Please note that we are not able to offer sponsorship for this role
Main duties of the job
69.2% feels strongly that their organisation handles staff involved in errors or any incidents fairly and are supported. 'NHS Survey, 2024''
'We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute'
To provide a high quality, responsive and comprehensive Cellular Pathology service for the trust and its users. To work as part of a team, using specialist knowledge and expertise to assist in the provision of all aspects of a Cellular Pathology service. To work in accordance with trust health and safety policy as well as departmental policies. Assist with training and education activity.
You must have knowledge and experience of ISO 15189 standards and quality management systems.
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.
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
Working Relationships
To practice speciality within a managed environment.
To work both independently and as part of a departmental team.
Knowledge and Experience
Post holder must have a BSc in Biomedical Science or an equivalent qualification and be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
To be experienced and proficient in frequently used Cellular Pathology techniques. To demonstrate knowledge in each of the main lab sections e.g., microtomy, embedding, H&E and special staining, microscopic slide IQC, immunohistochemistry including slide IQC, tissue dissection, diagnostic cytology (desirable), frozen sections.
Main Responsibilities
To organise your daily duties in the provision of a quality service.
To be accountable for your own professional actions and maintain high personal standards of work.
Please refer to the attached job description for further information.
Person specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential criteria
- HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist
- BSc Biomedical Science or equivalent qualification
- Knowledge of Cellular Pathology to underpin the technical aspects of service delivery
- Awareness of ISO 15189 standards for medical laboratories
- Knowledge and understanding of quality assurance
- Knowledge of professional Health and safety regulations
- Evidence of relevant continued professional development
Desirable criteria
- Specialist Portfolio or equivalent
- Awareness of wider NHS/Pathology initiatives
Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience of routine and specialist histology procedures
- Experience as a HCPC registered BMS in Cellular Pathology
- Work within scope and limitation of practice
- Equipment maintenance and troubleshooting
- Experience of using a LIMS
Desirable criteria
- Staff training and competency assessment
- Experience of quality management
Skills
Essential criteria
- Possess excellent practical skills
- Ability to prioritise and manage conflicting priorities and complete tasks within given timeframes
- Effective team worker
- Good communication and organizational skills
- Proficient IT skills including the use of MS Office software
Desirable criteria
- Teaching skills
- Technical and scientific troubleshooting skills
- Use of QMS tools e.g., QPulse
Personal and people development
Essential criteria
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Ability to work under pressure
- Be confident, diplomatic and have personal & professional maturity
- Self motivated and patient focused
- Flexible approach
- Enthusiastic
- Demonstrate reliability and commitment
Desirable criteria
- Forward thinking
Communication
Essential criteria
- Good communication skills including a clear command of written and spoken English.
- Effective listening skills
- Good interpersonal 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
- Marie Delaney
- Job title
- Histopathology - Chief Biomedical Scientist
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01908 995820
List jobs with Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in Health Science Services or all sectors