Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Cellular Pathology Secretary

The closing date is 17 February 2026

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Job summary

Departmental Secretary

Department: Cellular Pathology

Band 3

Hours: 37.5 hours per week (Full time), 9- month Fixed Term Contract, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working

The Cellular Pathology department is seeking to recruit a motivated and versatile individual with a positive 'can do' attitude and willing to learn new skills to join our professional and friendly team in the role of Departmental Secretary on a 9-month fixed term contract.

The individual will be a member of the administration team supporting the delivery of an efficient, high quality Cellular Pathology service. The key elements of this role are varied and include the provision of an efficient secretarial service to the Consultant Histopathologists, including the entry of diagnostic reports and the typing of medical correspondence. Medical terminology would be an advantage.

The individual will work methodically and always pay attention to detail. Duties will also include troubleshooting queries, managing the administrative mailbox, filing and retrieval of blocks and slides for referral to specialist centres.For more information, please contact the Leigh Stevenson, Cellular Pathology Office Manager on 01908 995804 or Amanda Brice, Cellular Pathology Laboratory Manager on 01908 995820.

Interview date ; 3rd & 4th March 2026

We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role

Main duties of the job

We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute

"- NHS Survey, 2024'' They feel supported in their employers making reasonable adjustments to help them carry out their work, rating an 82.9%

To support the delivery of a high quality, responsive and comprehensive Cellular Pathology service for the trust and its users.

To liaise with the Pathologists regarding the provision of a quality secretarial service.

To take relevant action on telephone calls from hospital staff, GP's and Cellular Pathology departments at other Trusts.

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 safely in accordance with trust health and safety policy and departmental policies to deliver a safe, high-quality service for its users.

To comply with clinical governance and risk management policies and ensure all mandatory training is completed in accordance with the trust guidelines.

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

Details

Date posted

03 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year Per annum, pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

9 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

430-CC26-330A

Job locations

Histopathology (Dept)

Milton Keynes

MK6 5LD


Job description

Job responsibilities

Communication and Relationship Skills

Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Liaise closely with departmental technical, and clinical staff to ensure that all work is performed to required standards.

To liaise with other healthcare professionals in a professional and competent manner providing approved departmental information as appropriate, using verbal and electronic communication.

Core Responsibilities

To establish effective and collaborative working relationships with key staff.

To organise and prioritise your daily duties in the provision of a quality service.

To be accountable for your actions and maintain high personal standards of work.

Work in a safe manner in accordance with department and Trust health and safety and risk management policies.

To maintain a high standard of confidentiality and always comply with relevant Trust policies.

Please refer to the job description for further details.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Communication and Relationship Skills

Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Liaise closely with departmental technical, and clinical staff to ensure that all work is performed to required standards.

To liaise with other healthcare professionals in a professional and competent manner providing approved departmental information as appropriate, using verbal and electronic communication.

Core Responsibilities

To establish effective and collaborative working relationships with key staff.

To organise and prioritise your daily duties in the provision of a quality service.

To be accountable for your actions and maintain high personal standards of work.

Work in a safe manner in accordance with department and Trust health and safety and risk management policies.

To maintain a high standard of confidentiality and always comply with relevant Trust policies.

Please refer to the job description for further details.

Person Specification

Qualifications and knowledge

Essential

  • English and Maths GCSEs at C or above (or equivalent)
  • NVQ level 3 or equivalent level qualification/experience
  • Proficient keyboard skills
  • Knowledge of importance of confidentiality

Desirable

  • Knowledge of anatomical / medical terminology

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working in an administrative office environment

Desirable

  • NHS experience
  • Experience of working in a health care environment
  • Experience of data entry into information management systems

Skills

Essential

  • Possess excellent communication skills - communicate effectively and sensitively
  • Follow detailed protocols and procedures.
  • Good time management skills with an ability to prioritise
  • Good use of initiative
  • Well developed organisational skills
  • Good people skills
  • Effective team worker
  • Ability to work under pressure

Desirable

  • Ability to audio type with speed and accuracy
  • Experience of Bighand digital dictation

Personal and people development

Essential

  • Demonstrable ability to: Work on own or as part of a team.
  • Friendly and caring manner.
  • Demonstrate ability in dealing sympathetically and sensitvely with people/clinical information
  • Be self-motivated and patient focused.
  • Willing to learn
  • Enthusiastic and proactive

Desirable

  • Commitment to personal development

Communication

Essential

  • To possess: oClear, accurate written and verbal communication
  • Effective listening skills
  • Good interpersonal skills.

Specific requirements

Essential

  • Demonstrable ability to: To perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
Person Specification

Qualifications and knowledge

Essential

  • English and Maths GCSEs at C or above (or equivalent)
  • NVQ level 3 or equivalent level qualification/experience
  • Proficient keyboard skills
  • Knowledge of importance of confidentiality

Desirable

  • Knowledge of anatomical / medical terminology

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working in an administrative office environment

Desirable

  • NHS experience
  • Experience of working in a health care environment
  • Experience of data entry into information management systems

Skills

Essential

  • Possess excellent communication skills - communicate effectively and sensitively
  • Follow detailed protocols and procedures.
  • Good time management skills with an ability to prioritise
  • Good use of initiative
  • Well developed organisational skills
  • Good people skills
  • Effective team worker
  • Ability to work under pressure

Desirable

  • Ability to audio type with speed and accuracy
  • Experience of Bighand digital dictation

Personal and people development

Essential

  • Demonstrable ability to: Work on own or as part of a team.
  • Friendly and caring manner.
  • Demonstrate ability in dealing sympathetically and sensitvely with people/clinical information
  • Be self-motivated and patient focused.
  • Willing to learn
  • Enthusiastic and proactive

Desirable

  • Commitment to personal development

Communication

Essential

  • To possess: oClear, accurate written and verbal communication
  • Effective listening skills
  • Good interpersonal skills.

Specific requirements

Essential

  • Demonstrable ability to: 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.

Employer details

Employer name

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Histopathology (Dept)

Milton Keynes

MK6 5LD


Employer's website

https://www.mkuh.nhs.uk/working-at-mkuh (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Histopathology (Dept)

Milton Keynes

MK6 5LD


Employer's website

https://www.mkuh.nhs.uk/working-at-mkuh (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Histopathology Secretary

Leigh Stevenson

leigh.stevenson@mkuh.nhs.uk

Details

Date posted

03 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year Per annum, pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

9 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

430-CC26-330A

Job locations

Histopathology (Dept)

Milton Keynes

MK6 5LD


Supporting documents

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