Job summary
- Main area
- Pathology
- Grade
- Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 430-CC26-957A
- 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
- 27/07/2026 23:59
- Interview date
- 19/08/2026
Employer heading
Assistant Technical Officer
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
Assistant Technical Officer
Department of Microbiology
Band 3
Hours: 37.5 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
The Histopathology 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, Assistant Technician Officers, administrator staff and other registered healthcare professionals who bring fresh expertise and innovation to the department.
Cellular Pathology are looking for FOUR Assistant Technical Officers. We are 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.
You will be competent and versatile individuals with a positive ‘can do’ attitude and be willing to learn new skills to progress the team.
The successful candidates will participate in core laboratory duties including receiving and processing patient’s samples, data entry, assisting at tissue dissection, equipment operation and maintenance, managing laboratory waste disposal, digital scanning of slides, referrals to specialist centres and microtomy among other tasks. Training will be given to achieve competency.
We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute
Proposed interview dates: 19th and 20th of August 2026
Main duties of the job
“- NHS Survey, 2024'' Healthcare Scientists feels their health safety and wellbeing is support at work.
To be part of a team of Biomedical Support workers delivering technical, administrative, and clerical support services which ensure reliable, efficient, and effective service. Analysing and reporting on, blood, swabs, urines, faeces, and other clinical samples in the preparatory stages of microbiological analyses.
The post holder will communicate clearly and accurately with laboratory staff, clinicians, and work within any section of the microbiology department. Must carry out all duties in compliance with relevant national standards in line with Trust’s Data Protection Act policy.
Initial training will be provided to cover all sections of the lab including the waste management section, autoclaves, and handling deliveries/supplies.
In addition to working core hours, the post holder will be required to participate in the evening, weekend, bank holiday & night shifts (proposal under discussion) as part of their contractual hours.
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.
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Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Communication and Relationship 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, using verbal and electronic communication.
Core Responsibilities
To comply with departmental and Trust polices and identify opportunities for quality improvement.
Complete reports via the RADAR reporting system for any accidents, incidents or near misses.
Participate in the provision of a 7/7 laboratory service as required.
To manage and action, in a timely manner, the send away of patient samples to specialist referral centres.
Organise samples for clinical trials were requested.
Providing and receiving routine information to inform colleagues.
To assist administrative staff as necessary during busy periods
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
- Qualifications with a laboratory relevance
- Knowledge of anatomical / medical terminology
Experience
Desirable criteria
- NHS experience
- Experience of working in a health care environment
- Experience of working in a laboratory
- Experience of data entry into information management systems
Skills
Essential criteria
- Possess excellent communication skills – communicate effectively and sensitively
- Follow detailed protocols and procedures
- Good time management skills with an ability to prioritise
- Good use of initiative
- Well developed organisational skills
- Good people skills
- Effective team worker
- Ability to work under pressure
Desirable criteria
- Ability to prioritise and manage conflicting priorities
Personal and people development
Essential criteria
- Work on own or as part of a team.
- Be confident, diplomatic and have personal & professional maturity.
- Be enthusiastic.
- Polite and courteous
- Be self-motivated and patient focused
- Initiative and common sense
- Willing to learn
Desirable criteria
- Commitment to personal development
Communication
Essential criteria
- Clear, accurate written and verbal communication
- Effective listening skills
- Good interpersonal skills.
- Participate in departmental meetings.
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
- Email address
- [email protected]
- 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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