Job summary
- Main area
- Pathology
- Grade
- Band 7
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 430-CC26-944A-A
- Employer
- Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Histopathology (Dept)
- Town
- Milton Keynes
- Salary
- £49,387 - £56,515 per annum, pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 10/08/2026 23:59
- Interview date
- 24/08/2026
Employer heading
Senior Biomedical Scientist - Dissection Specialist
Band 7
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
Senior Biomedical Scientist - Dissection Specialist
Department: Cellular Pathology
Band 7: £49,387 and £56,515 Per annum, pro rata
Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours 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.
We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute
Interview date: W/C 24th of August 2026
Main duties of the job
The Cellular Pathology department is seeking to recruit an enthusiastic, proactive, and experienced individual to take up the post of Senior Biomedical Scientist Dissection Specialist in our professional and friendly team.
The individual will be a key member of the Cellular Pathology management team assisting in the day-to-day operational delivery of the Cellular Pathology service, working closely with the Cellular Pathology Operational and Laboratory Managers and Consultant Histopathologists. You will have experience of performing specimen dissection, RCPath categories A – D and will assist in leading and developing the BMS dissection service.
The successful candidate will be a professional with strong technical, troubleshooting, and decision-making skills and the ability to communicate confidently and effectively. Additionally, you will assist in directing a team of scientific and support staff to deliver a diagnostic service that meets accreditation & regulatory requirements to deliver effective patient care and resource management.
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: Our Health and Safety Climate score outperforms the national average, showing our commitment to creating a safe, healthy, and supportive environment for all.
In conjunction with the other Senior Biomedical Scientists Leadership / Management
To establish effective and collaborative working relationships with key staff including the Consultant Histopathologists.
Lead by example.
Always maintain a professional approach to work behaving courteously and with professional and emotional maturity.
To be accountable for your own professional actions and maintain high
personal standards of work.
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 registered Biomedical Scientist
- BSc Biomedical Science or equivalent in a relevant field
- MSc or equivalent postgraduate qualification in a relevant Biomedical Science field
- Comprehensive specialist scientific knowledge in Cellular Pathology to underpin the technical aspects of service delivery
- Extensive knowledge of ISO 15189 standards for medical laboratories
- Knowledge of laboratory training and competency requirements
- Knowledge of quality assurance
- Knowledge of professional Health and Safety legislation / requirements
- Knowledge of GDPR requirements
- Evidence of relevant continued professional development
- Awareness of wider NHS/Pathology initiatives
Desirable criteria
- Membership of the IBMS
- Hold the IBMS Diploma of Expert Practice in Histological Dissection
- Management qualification
Experience
Essential criteria
- Post HCPC registration experience as a Specialist Biomedical Scientist (Band 6) within Cellular Pathology
- Experience of performing histological dissection of specimen categories A–D
- External assessment by UKAS
- Experience as a trainer / mentor
- Experience in quality audits
- Incident investigation
Desirable criteria
- Experience as a team leader at Band 7
Skills
Essential criteria
- Ability to manage conflicting priorities and complete tasks within given timeframes
- Be able to organise the workload of the laboratory
- Excellent practical and technical skills in Cellular Pathology laboratory techniques
- Experience of performing Category A-D specimen dissection
- Ability to troubleshoot problems under pressure
- Ability to manage difficult situations and pressures
- Proficient IT skills including the use of MS Office software.
- Use of QMS tools e.g., QPulse
- Technical and scientific troubleshooting skills
- Change control / management skills
- Ability to analyse complex laboratory results and provide appropriate advice to service users
Personal and people development
Essential criteria
- Proven leadership / management skills
- Motivational skills
- Self-motivated and patient focused
- Ability to work under pressure.
- Be confident, diplomatic and have personal & professional maturity.
- Flexible approach
- Enthusiastic
- Demonstrate reliabilty and commitment
- Commitment to service development and quality improvement
Desirable criteria
- Perform annual joint review
- Forward thinking
Communication
Essential criteria
- Good communication skills including a clear command of written and spoken English
- Good interpersonal skills
- Effective listening skills
- Effective trainer, modifying the approach as appropriate
- Able to present complex information to colleagues with differing knowledge and ability levels
Desirable criteria
- Effective communication with auditors
- Customer care / service user 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
- Cellular Pathology Laboratory Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Additional information
Shortlisted applicants will be required to deliver a short, verbal presentation at interview. The title will be provided with the invite to interview.
For more information, please contact Amanda Brice, Cellular Pathology Laboratory Manager or Marie Delaney, Chief BMS/Operational Manager on 01908 995820
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