Job summary
Pathology Healthcare Science Assistant
Department: Pathology - Blood Science (Pathology Support)
Band 2 £24,169 per annum
Full-time 37.5 per week, worked across 7 days including Weekends/BHs. Shifts worked between 0845-2100 or as required, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
Pathology & Blood Sciences have also had major investment in new equipment & refurbishment. We are committed to the quality of service we provide our patients and users and are ISO 15189 accredited for Haematology/Blood Transfusion & Chemistry repertoires.
Here at Milton Keynes, we have committed leadership who engage our staff, listen to innovative ideas & involve our people in the challenges & improvements that our organisation faces. Continuing professional & personal development is encouraged & supported.
Applications are invited to join the Pathology Support Unit of Blood Sciences as a Healthcare Science Assistant working with a team of dedicated healthcare professionals to deliver a high quality service that is responsive to patient requirements. You will be a key member of the PSU team providing support services to departments analysing & reporting on blood, urine, faeces & other materials to achieve the objectives of efficient & effective patient care.
For further information, please contact Rachel Mason, PSU Manager (rachel.mason2@mkuh.nhs.uk) on 01908 995769 or Jonathan Popoola, Deputy PSU Manager (jonathan.popoola@mkuh.nhs.uk) on 01908 995758.
Interview date: 21.07.2025
Main duties of the job
- To provide essential pre-analytical management of pathology specimens and requests to maintain workflow to specialist laboratory services for timely analysis.
- To provide assistance to both patients and clinical staff using the pathology service.
- To managedeliveries of patient material, consumables, reagents and mail.
- To provide this role over a 7 day working pattern and support delivery of a 24/7 pathology service.
- This is adevelopmental role from which staff may progress to the Pathology Healthcare Science Assistant - Higher Level position, following demonstration of knowledge and competency for that role.
About us
"We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute"
"79.5% of our staff says MKUH has made reasonable adjustments to help them perform their roles effectively. Whether it's accessibility, flexible working or tailored support, we're committed to removing barriers so everyone can thrive" (NHS Staff Survey 2024)
You can expect a warm welcome at Milton Keynes University Hospital, our staff are friendly and welcoming. We listen to each other and work together to embed our Trusts values and behaviours. At MKUH we appreciate our staff and reward them with an outstanding benefits package including:
- Free on-site parking
- Free refreshments
- Great flexible workingopportunities
- Discounted gym membership
- Lease car scheme
- Generous annual leave and pension scheme
- On site nursery (chargeable)
- Extensive staff health and well-being programme
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital; we conduct research and teaching on site to improve the care of our patients. The hospital is undergoing significant investment, and we are proud to be rated good by the CQC. Visit our website to catch up on our latest news.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main duties and responsibilities
- Maintain a professional approach to work at all times and to deal courteously with enquiries from within and outside the hospital.
- Manage Pathology reception, receiving visitors and patients, dealing with enquiries and ensuring that printed results are sent to requesters at an acceptable rate.
- Manage telephone enquiries, ensuring the caller is authorised to receive personal and/or confidential information, passing on enquiries to BMS (biomedical scientist) staff where appropriate & giving out authorised results to medical & nursing staff.
- Comply with Data Protection regulations and maintain patient confidentiality.
- Monitor and action all Pathology mail received
- Take receipt of pathology specimens and verify sample is suitable for requested analysis
- Monitor temperatures of incubators, refrigerators, freezers. Report any discrepancies to Team Leader/Manager staff.
Please refer to the Job Description for further details
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 a sufficient number of 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.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main duties and responsibilities
- Maintain a professional approach to work at all times and to deal courteously with enquiries from within and outside the hospital.
- Manage Pathology reception, receiving visitors and patients, dealing with enquiries and ensuring that printed results are sent to requesters at an acceptable rate.
- Manage telephone enquiries, ensuring the caller is authorised to receive personal and/or confidential information, passing on enquiries to BMS (biomedical scientist) staff where appropriate & giving out authorised results to medical & nursing staff.
- Comply with Data Protection regulations and maintain patient confidentiality.
- Monitor and action all Pathology mail received
- Take receipt of pathology specimens and verify sample is suitable for requested analysis
- Monitor temperatures of incubators, refrigerators, freezers. Report any discrepancies to Team Leader/Manager staff.
Please refer to the Job Description for further details
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 a sufficient number of 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
- Level 2 qualification i.e. GCSE in Maths and/or Science.
- Knowledge and understanding of Microsoft Office applications
Desirable
- Knowledge of Manual Handling and Health & Safety legislation
- Knowledge of ISO 15189 Standards for Medical laboratories
- Knowledge of Data Protection Action and GDPR
Experience
Essential
- Experience in Healthcare and/or Healthcare Science
- Customer Service/Care experience
Desirable
- Experience in NHS Healthcare Science
- Experience using with Laboratory Information Systems
Skills
Essential
- Good interpersonal skills
- Record Keeping skills
- Good organisational skills
- Methodical and accurate approach to tasks
Personal and people development
Essential
- Ability to work individually and in a team
- Ability to work under pressure
- Ability to manage conflict
- Ability to train other staff
Communication
Essential
- Clear and accurate written and verbal use of English communication at all levels of the organisation
- Good Telephone ability
- Ability to apply principles of GDPR
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
- Physically able and mobile
- Able to work 7 day pattern between 0845-2100
- Flexible to changing service requirements
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Level 2 qualification i.e. GCSE in Maths and/or Science.
- Knowledge and understanding of Microsoft Office applications
Desirable
- Knowledge of Manual Handling and Health & Safety legislation
- Knowledge of ISO 15189 Standards for Medical laboratories
- Knowledge of Data Protection Action and GDPR
Experience
Essential
- Experience in Healthcare and/or Healthcare Science
- Customer Service/Care experience
Desirable
- Experience in NHS Healthcare Science
- Experience using with Laboratory Information Systems
Skills
Essential
- Good interpersonal skills
- Record Keeping skills
- Good organisational skills
- Methodical and accurate approach to tasks
Personal and people development
Essential
- Ability to work individually and in a team
- Ability to work under pressure
- Ability to manage conflict
- Ability to train other staff
Communication
Essential
- Clear and accurate written and verbal use of English communication at all levels of the organisation
- Good Telephone ability
- Ability to apply principles of GDPR
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
- Physically able and mobile
- Able to work 7 day pattern between 0845-2100
- Flexible to changing service requirements
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
