Job summary
Healthcare Science Assistant (Pathology Support Unit)
Department: Pathology (Blood Science)
Band 2
Hours: Up to 37.5 per week, worked across 7 days including Weekends/Bank Holidays. Shifts worked between the hours 0845-2100 or as required.
Evening (Mon to Fri) and weekend part time shifts are available - please indicate in your supporting statement which shifts you are interested in.
All MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
Pathology and Blood Sciences have also had major investment in new equipment and refurbishment. We are committed to the quality of service we provide our patients and users and are ISO 15189 accredited for Haematology/Blood Transfusion and Chemistry repertoires.
Here at Milton Keynes we have committed leadership who engage our staff, listen to innovative ideas, and involve our people in the challenges and improvements that our organisation faces. Continuing professional and personal development is encouraged and supported. We provide a comprehensive 24/7 service which staff support through flexible rostering.
You will be a key member of the PSU team providing support services to departments analysing and reporting on, blood, urine, faeces and other materials to achieve the objectives of efficient and effective patient care. You will be required to deliver a service that meets the quality standards of ISO 15189 and participate in work patterns that support our 24/7 service.
Interview date: 26/11/2025
Main duties of the job
"- NHS Survey, 2024''75.8% of Allied Health Professionals feel enthusiastic about their job roles.
We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute
Do you thrive on working in a fast-paced environment and care about high quality patient services?
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 manage deliveries 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 a developmental role from which staff may progress to the Pathology Healthcare Science Assistant - Higher Level position, following demonstration of knowledge and competency for that role.
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.
About us
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.
Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards - and 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
Job description
Job 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.
Filing of samples, request cards and results.
Prepare worksheets and selection of samples prior to analysis.
Ensure patients, members of the public and Trust and external healthcare staff are given the correct protocols for any test required and that they understand what is required.
Receive all types of specimens e.g. blood, urine, faeces etc. for laboratory investigation. Histology samples from theatre must be carefully checked to ensure they are correct and must be signed for in the theatre book.
To check patient identification on samples/request cards and attach laboratory numbers (or bar codes) as appropriate. To be responsible for the initial investigation of mislabelled or missing samples and report inadequate samples to qualified laboratory staff. Ensure all mismatched requests are carefully logged according to quality standards.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Job description
Job 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.
Filing of samples, request cards and results.
Prepare worksheets and selection of samples prior to analysis.
Ensure patients, members of the public and Trust and external healthcare staff are given the correct protocols for any test required and that they understand what is required.
Receive all types of specimens e.g. blood, urine, faeces etc. for laboratory investigation. Histology samples from theatre must be carefully checked to ensure they are correct and must be signed for in the theatre book.
To check patient identification on samples/request cards and attach laboratory numbers (or bar codes) as appropriate. To be responsible for the initial investigation of mislabelled or missing samples and report inadequate samples to qualified laboratory staff. Ensure all mismatched requests are carefully logged according to quality standards.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
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.
