Job summary
- Main area
- Histopathology
- Grade
- Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 430-CC26-889A-A
- Employer
- Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Histopathology (Dept)
- Town
- Milton Keynes
- Salary
- £25,760 - £27,476 per annum, pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 13/08/2026 23:59
- Interview date
- 24/08/2026
Employer heading
Cellular Pathology Laboratory Cancer Navigator
Band 3
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
Cellular Pathology Laboratory Cancer Navigator
Department: Cellular Pathology Department
Band 3, £25,760 - £27,476 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.
Cellular Pathology is a busy but friendly department processing more than 23,000 histology specimens and 1200 cytology specimens per year and plays a vital role in the Trust’s diagnostics cancer service.
'We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute'
Please note: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.
Please note: If you have applied for this position within the last 6 months, please do not reapply.
Interview date: 24 August 2026
Main duties of the job
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 laboratory Cancer Navigator.
The successful candidate will act as a navigator tracking the specimens of patients on a cancer pathway through the laboratory process, from receipt to report, working collaboratively with the laboratory and admin teams, the consultant Histopathologists and Cancer Services.
The successful candidate will have GCSEs in Science, Maths, and English, and/or an NVQ level 3 or equivalent level qualification or qualifications with a laboratory relevance. The successful candidate will have experience of working in a healthcare environment and be familiar with national cancer pathways and targets. In addition to this, the successful candidate must have excellent communication skills and be IT literate. The individual must enjoy working independently and as part of a team.
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.
To act as a navigator tracking the specimens of patients on a cancer pathway through the laboratory process, from receipt to report
Supporting the technical and medical team to ensure the turnaround of 2WW cancer specimens within the 28-day faster diagnosis standard in line with national guidance
The post holder must have a full working knowledge of national cancer pathways and targets including 2WW urgent referrals, the 28-day faster diagnosis standard and the 31- and 62-day targets for decision to treat until treatment and GP referral until treatment, respectively
To monitor and track PTL waiting lists for the different specialities, representing the department at a weekly PTL meeting. Identifying actions and acting on these appropriately and in a timely manner to ensure compliance
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
- Science, English and Maths GCSEs at C or above (or equivalent)
- NVQ level 3 or equivalent level qualification
- Basic computer skills
- Knowledge of importance of confidentiality
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of anatomical / medical terminology
Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience of using a range of IT packages
- NHS experience
- Experience of working in a healthcare environment
Skills
Essential criteria
- Excellent communication skills – communicate effectively and sensitively
- Good time management and excellent prioritisation skills
- Good use of initiative
Communication
Essential criteria
- Clear, accurate written and verbal communication
- Effective listening skills Good interpersonal skills.
Personal and people development
Essential criteria
- Work on own or as part of a team.
- Self motivated
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
- Cellular Pathology Laboratory Manager
- Telephone number
- 01908 995820
- Additional information
For more information, please contact Amanda Brice, the Laboratory Manager or Marie Delaney, Operational Manager / Chief Biomedical Scientist on 01908 995820
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