Job summary
Associate Biomedical Practitioner
Department: Blood Sciences - Chemical Pathology
Band 4
Hours: 37.5 per week Fixed Term 12 months
An opportunity has arisen within this busy Pathology service to join the Blood Science (Chemical Pathology) team for 12 months. Do you have good organisational and practical skills and would you like to work behind the scenes in a laboratory?
An Associate Practitioner in an NHS Chemical Pathology laboratory is responsible for the efficient receipt, checking, and logging of patient samples on the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), ensuring all specimens meet acceptance criteria and are correctly prioritised. They prepare, centrifuge, aliquot, and store samples appropriately while assisting with referrals to external laboratories.
Under the supervision of Biomedical Scientists, they operate and maintain automated chemistry analysers to perform routine biochemical tests such as electrolytes, liver function, and lipid profiles, ensuring compliance with SOPs and quality control requirements.
They accurately enter and verify patient data and results on LIMS, escalate any discrepancies, and contribute to troubleshooting flagged results. Additionally, they maintain stock levels of reagents and consumables, ensure proper reagent storage and equipment cleanliness, and uphold safety and infection control standards within the laboratory environment.
Main duties of the job
"- NHS Survey, 2024'' 69.2% feels strongly that their organisation handles staff involved in errors or any incidents fairly and are supported.
We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute
We are committed to the quality of service we provide our patients and users and have been awarded ISO15189 accreditation for Haematology/Blood Transfusion and Chemistry repertoires.
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 the successful candidate will support through flexible rostering.
The post holder will be part of a team of Associate Practitioners assisting in the delivery of a diagnostic service analysing blood, urine, faeces and other materials to achieve the objectives of efficient and effective patient care, and effective resource management within the hospital.
The post holder will undertake their responsibilities within the Blood Sciences department to meet all required national and Trust standards.
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
Communication
Liaise closely with departmental technical and clinical staff to ensure that all technical work is performed to departmental standards. To liaise with other healthcare professionals and members of the public in a professional and competent manner within both the Acute and Primary trusts. To work both alone and as part of a departmental team. To attend departmental and other meetings as required. To attend external training and educational courses when required, i.e. instrument troubleshooting and repair etc. To provide telephone results to healthcare professionals and seek results from external referral laboratories when reports are overdue. This can be by phone or email.
Core responsibilities
Staff will support the 24/7 laboratory service and 7 day working across the Trust within their contracted hours. The post holder will be expected to work a 7-day shift pattern during the hours 0730-2000 or as operationally required.Shift patterns utilised will be compliant with working time legislation and will include unsocial hours paid at Agenda for Change pay rates.
The basic use and demonstrable proficiency of all analytical equipment within the department, and those Point of Care Testing devices controlled by the department Maintenance of all analytical equipment within the department and those Point of Care Testing devices controlled by the department.
Use of Trust and Departmental computer systems, namely Clinisys, QPulse etc. Use and understanding of all Trust and Departmental relevant policies i.e. patient confidentiality, data protection, freedom of information etc. To carry out basic Pathology reception work. To perform maintenance on all analytical equipment, ensuring the highest standard of performance To maintain consumable stocks on board analytical equipment ensuring minimum down time. To run Internal Quality Controls through analysers to demonstrate the clinical suitability and reliability of results, and to use judgement to react appropriately to unacceptable results and carry out remedial action if indicated.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Communication
Liaise closely with departmental technical and clinical staff to ensure that all technical work is performed to departmental standards. To liaise with other healthcare professionals and members of the public in a professional and competent manner within both the Acute and Primary trusts. To work both alone and as part of a departmental team. To attend departmental and other meetings as required. To attend external training and educational courses when required, i.e. instrument troubleshooting and repair etc. To provide telephone results to healthcare professionals and seek results from external referral laboratories when reports are overdue. This can be by phone or email.
Core responsibilities
Staff will support the 24/7 laboratory service and 7 day working across the Trust within their contracted hours. The post holder will be expected to work a 7-day shift pattern during the hours 0730-2000 or as operationally required.Shift patterns utilised will be compliant with working time legislation and will include unsocial hours paid at Agenda for Change pay rates.
The basic use and demonstrable proficiency of all analytical equipment within the department, and those Point of Care Testing devices controlled by the department Maintenance of all analytical equipment within the department and those Point of Care Testing devices controlled by the department.
Use of Trust and Departmental computer systems, namely Clinisys, QPulse etc. Use and understanding of all Trust and Departmental relevant policies i.e. patient confidentiality, data protection, freedom of information etc. To carry out basic Pathology reception work. To perform maintenance on all analytical equipment, ensuring the highest standard of performance To maintain consumable stocks on board analytical equipment ensuring minimum down time. To run Internal Quality Controls through analysers to demonstrate the clinical suitability and reliability of results, and to use judgement to react appropriately to unacceptable results and carry out remedial action if indicated.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Good standard of general education
- Science/Math studied to A Level or equivalent
- The equivalent of NVQ level 3 or an approved Foundation Course in Science if not already qualified
Desirable
- Foundation degree or degree in Biomedical Science or accredited degree
- Knowledge of the principles of Health & Safety at Work
Experience
Essential
- Experience in Pathology laboratory.
Desirable
- Experience of working unsocial hours shift patterns
- Experience to Vocational Qualification Level 3 or equivalent level plus additional theoretical or applied training in specific discipline to diploma equivalent level
Skills
Essential
- Good organizational skills
- Able to achieve high standards of technical duties.
- Clear and accurate written and verbal communication skills.
- Hand eye co-ordination and accuracy when performing tests.
- Ability to work unsupervised in a managed environment
Personal and people development
Essential
- Ability to work under pressure.
- Ability to work in a team and be supportive to other team members.
- Concentration and attention to detail.
- Flexible approach
- Forward thinking
- Able and willing to work unsocial hours as required of the role
Communication
Essential
- Good communication skills including a clear command of written and spoken English.
- Must have Information Technology skills
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Good standard of general education
- Science/Math studied to A Level or equivalent
- The equivalent of NVQ level 3 or an approved Foundation Course in Science if not already qualified
Desirable
- Foundation degree or degree in Biomedical Science or accredited degree
- Knowledge of the principles of Health & Safety at Work
Experience
Essential
- Experience in Pathology laboratory.
Desirable
- Experience of working unsocial hours shift patterns
- Experience to Vocational Qualification Level 3 or equivalent level plus additional theoretical or applied training in specific discipline to diploma equivalent level
Skills
Essential
- Good organizational skills
- Able to achieve high standards of technical duties.
- Clear and accurate written and verbal communication skills.
- Hand eye co-ordination and accuracy when performing tests.
- Ability to work unsupervised in a managed environment
Personal and people development
Essential
- Ability to work under pressure.
- Ability to work in a team and be supportive to other team members.
- Concentration and attention to detail.
- Flexible approach
- Forward thinking
- Able and willing to work unsocial hours as required of the role
Communication
Essential
- Good communication skills including a clear command of written and spoken English.
- Must have Information Technology skills
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.
