Job summary
Associate Practitioner
Cellular Pathology Department
Band 4
Hours: 37.5 per week (Full time), all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
Cellular Pathology is a busy but friendly department processing more than 23,000 histology specimens and 1200 diagnostic cytology specimens per year and plays a vital role in the Trust's diagnostics cancer service.
We are looking for a competent and versatile individual with a positive 'can do' attitude who is willing to learn new skills to join our team in the role of Associate Practitioner.
The successful candidate will have previous laboratory experience. They will participate in core duties within the laboratory including receiving and processing patient 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.
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.
For more information, please contact Amanda Brice, Laboratory Manager or Marie Delaney, Operational Manager on 01908 995820
Interview date: 10 March 2026
We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role
Main duties of the job
"- NHS Survey, 2024'' Healthcare Scientists feels their health safety and wellbeing is support at work.
We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute
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 comply with 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.
The successful candidate will have GCSEs in Science, Maths, and English, and an NVQ level 3 or equivalent level qualification or qualifications with a laboratory relevance/ equivalent experience in a relevant discipline.
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 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.
To liaise with other healthcare professionals in a professional and competent manner providing approved departmental information as appropriate.
Be able to work both independently and as part of a departmental team.
To attend departmental and other meetings as required.
Core Responsibilities
To establish effective and collaborative working relationships with key staff.
To organise your daily duties in the provision of a quality service.
To be accountable for your own professional 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.
Perform requested tests in accordance with laboratory Standard Operating Procedures.
To have the ability to concentrate for extended periods of time whilst processing samples.
Prioritisation of your workload and to take part in the daily routine and specialist skilled technical work of the department.
Help prioritise clinically urgent and 2WW cases and maintain the workflow of all cases through the lab to meet turnaround times in line with departmental KPIs.
To receive specimens for laboratory investigation. Be able to identify non-compliance with minimum sample acceptance criteria or sample quality.
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, administrative, and clinical staff to ensure that all technical work is performed to required standards.
To liaise with other healthcare professionals in a professional and competent manner providing approved departmental information as appropriate.
Be able to work both independently and as part of a departmental team.
To attend departmental and other meetings as required.
Core Responsibilities
To establish effective and collaborative working relationships with key staff.
To organise your daily duties in the provision of a quality service.
To be accountable for your own professional 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.
Perform requested tests in accordance with laboratory Standard Operating Procedures.
To have the ability to concentrate for extended periods of time whilst processing samples.
Prioritisation of your workload and to take part in the daily routine and specialist skilled technical work of the department.
Help prioritise clinically urgent and 2WW cases and maintain the workflow of all cases through the lab to meet turnaround times in line with departmental KPIs.
To receive specimens for laboratory investigation. Be able to identify non-compliance with minimum sample acceptance criteria or sample quality.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
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., QPulse.
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., QPulse.
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.
