Job summary
Associate Practitioner
Department: Cellular Pathology
Band 4: £26,530 - £29,114 per annum
Full-time 37.5 hours per week - We are advertising 1 x Full-time permanent post and 1 x Full-time 12-month fixed Term post.
Cellular Pathology is a busy but friendly department processing more than 22,000 histology specimens and 1,200 diagnostic per year and plays a vital role in the Trust's diagnostics cancer service.
We are looking for competent and versatile individuals with a positive "can do" attitude and willing to learn new skills to our team in the role of Associate Practitioner.
The successful candidates will have previous laboratory experience. They will participate in core duties within the laboratory including receiving and processing patients samples, data entry, equipment operation and maintenance, managing laboratory stock control and waste disposal, digital scanning of slides and referrals to specialist centres and microtomy and embedding amongst other tasks. Training will be given to achieve competency.
For more information, please contact Amanda Brice, Laboratory Manager or Marie Delaney, Operational Manager on 01908 995820.
Interview date: 29.07.2025
Please note we are unable to provide sponsorship for this role
Main duties of the job
The successful candidates will have GCSEs in Science, Maths and English and/or NVQ level 3 or equivalent level qualification or qualifications with a laboratory relevance / equivalent experience in a relevant discipline. In addition to this, you must also have good verbal and written communication skills, have basic IT skills and enjoy working individually and in a team. The role involves some lifting and handling tasks.
- To support the delivery of a high quality, responsive and comprehensive Cellular Pathology service for the trust and its users.
- To be part of a team of Biomedical Support workers delivering technical and administrative support to ensure the provision of an efficient and effective diagnostic service.
- To work with the laboratory management and technical team to ensure compliance with regulatory standards including those of ISO 15189, the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) and screening programmes.
- Help the Cellular Pathology team to meet departmental and trust KPI's.
- To work in accordance with trust health and safety policy and departmental policies to deliver a safe, high-quality service for its users.
- To complywith clinical governance and risk management policies and ensure all mandatory training is completed in accordance with the trust guidelines.
- Assist with training and education activity.
About us
"We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute"
"7.33 out of 10 support their team is compassionate and inclusive" (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 tea and coffee
- 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
Communication and relationship skills:
- Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Liaise closely with departmental technical, administrative, and clinical staff to ensure that all technical work is performed to required standards.
Core responsibilities:
- To establish effective and collaborative working relationships with key staff.
- To organise your daily duties in the provision of a quality service.
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
Communication and relationship skills:
- Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Liaise closely with departmental technical, administrative, and clinical staff to ensure that all technical work is performed to required standards.
Core responsibilities:
- To establish effective and collaborative working relationships with key staff.
- To organise your daily duties in the provision of a quality service.
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
- Minimum of five GCSEs (A-C) including English, mathematics, and a science subject
- Level 3 qualification (A-level equivalent) in a science subject OR NVQ3 or equivalent experience in relevant discipline
- Basic to intermediate computer skills
- Knowledge of importance of confidentiality
Desirable
- Foundation degree or degree in Biomedical Science or accredited degree
- Knowledge of anatomical / medical terminology
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a hospital Cellular Pathology laboratory.
- Equipment maintenance and troubleshooting.
- Staff training and competency assessment
- Experience of using a LIMS
Desirable
- Experience of quality management
Skills
Essential
- 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
- Teaching skills
- Technical and scientific troubleshooting skills
- Use of QMS tools e.g., Q-Pulse
Personal and people development
Essential
- Ability to work independently under own initiative 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
- Forward thinking
- Demonstrate reliability and commitment.
Communication
Essential
- Good communication skills including a clear command of written and spoken English.
- Effective listening skills
- Good interpersonal skills
- Participate in departmental meetings
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Minimum of five GCSEs (A-C) including English, mathematics, and a science subject
- Level 3 qualification (A-level equivalent) in a science subject OR NVQ3 or equivalent experience in relevant discipline
- Basic to intermediate computer skills
- Knowledge of importance of confidentiality
Desirable
- Foundation degree or degree in Biomedical Science or accredited degree
- Knowledge of anatomical / medical terminology
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a hospital Cellular Pathology laboratory.
- Equipment maintenance and troubleshooting.
- Staff training and competency assessment
- Experience of using a LIMS
Desirable
- Experience of quality management
Skills
Essential
- 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
- Teaching skills
- Technical and scientific troubleshooting skills
- Use of QMS tools e.g., Q-Pulse
Personal and people development
Essential
- Ability to work independently under own initiative 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
- Forward thinking
- Demonstrate reliability and commitment.
Communication
Essential
- Good communication skills including a clear command of written and spoken English.
- Effective listening skills
- Good interpersonal skills
- Participate in departmental meetings
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations.
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.
