About this role
Job summary
Pathology Healthcare Science Assistant - Development Post
Department: Pathology Support Unit
Band 2/3, £25,272 - £27,476 Per annum pro rata
Hours: Full time, 37.5 per week, worked across 7 days including weekends and bank holidays. Shifts are worked between 08:45 and 21:00, in accordance with the departmental rota and service requirements, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
Do you enjoy working in a busy, fast-paced environment where your work makes a real difference? Are you organised, reliable and take pride in delivering a high-quality service? If so, we'd love to hear from you.
Join the Pathology Support Unit at Milton Keynes University Hospital and become part of a friendly, dedicated team at the heart of our ISO 15189 accredited diagnostic services. As a Pathology Healthcare Science Assistant, you'll play a vital role in ensuring patient samples and requests are received, processed and prepared accurately, enabling timely laboratory testing and supporting excellent patient care. From supporting patients and healthcare professionals at reception to handling specimens, data entry and laboratory support activities, no two days are the same, and every task contributes to the safe and efficient delivery of our Pathology service.
'We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute'
Please note: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.
Interview date: 07 September 2026
Main duties of the job
We're looking for enthusiastic individuals who are motivated, organised and have excellent attention to detail. You'll enjoy working as part of a team, communicate confidently with a wide range of people and remain calm and focused in a busy environment where accuracy is essential. You'll be comfortable following established procedures, managing routine tasks, using computer systems and prioritising your workload. If you're keen to learn, committed to high standards and take pride in providing an excellent service, we'll provide the training and support you need to succeed.
Milton Keynes University Hospital is committed to investing in both its people and its laboratories. Our Pathology services have benefited from significant investment in modern equipment and facilities, and we foster a supportive culture where staff are encouraged to share ideas, contribute to service improvements and continue developing their skills.
This is a developmental role, with structured training and support to help you develop your skills and progress to the Pathology Senior Healthcare Science Assistant role, following successful completion of training and demonstration of the required knowledge and competencies
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. We have just opened the Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards.
Further investment is underway, including 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
NHS Staff Survey: Were proud to be a leader in Flexible Working and Work-Life Balance, with scores of 6.40 and 6.49 respectivelyboth significantly above average.
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
Please refer to attached Job description for further information.
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 enough 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 & Knowledge Essential
Level 2 qualification (e.g. GCSE or equivalent) including English, Maths or Science, or equivalent experience gained in a similar laboratory role. IT skills and ability to use Microsoft Office applications. Awareness/knowledge of Information Governance principles, including confidentiality, data protection, GDPR and the secure handling of patient information. Awareness/knowledge of Manual Handling and Health & Safety requirements and responsibilities.
Desirable
Level 4 science-based qualification, e.g. HND or first part of Foundation Degree. Awareness of healthcare, laboratory or scientific environments. Level 3 qualification, e.g. A Level in Maths and/or Science, or Level 2 qualification with experience in Healthcare Science Knowledge of ISO 15189 standards for medical laboratories.
Experience Essential
Experience working in a customer-facing, administrative, operational or service environment. Experience handling information accurately and maintaining records. Experience working in an environment requiring accuracy and attention to detail.
Desirable
Experience working in a healthcare environment. Experience in NHS Healthcare Science. Experience using Laboratory Information Systems. Experience in leading teams.
Skills Essential
Good interpersonal and customer service skills. Good organisational skills and ability to prioritise tasks Ability to follow written procedures and instructions accurately. Accurate data entry and record-keeping skills. Methodical and accurate approach to tasks with attention to detail. Ability to identify and escalate issues appropriately.
Personal & People Development Essential
Ability to work independently within established procedures and effectively as part of a team. Ability to work under pressure and manage competing demands. Willingness to learn new skills and undertake training.
Desirable
Ability to manage conflict appropriately Ability to train and support other staff.
Communication Essential
Clear and accurate written and verbal communication skills in English Ability to communicate professionally with colleagues, service users and external contacts at appropriate levels of the organisation Good telephone manner and communication skills Ability to apply Information Governance/GDPR principles in practice. Able to undertake the physical requirements of the role, including movement of samples, consumables and equipment, with reasonable aids and adaptations where required. Able to work a 7-day pattern between 08:45-21:00. Flexible to meet changing service requirements and required shift patterns.
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 General Pathology (Dept)
Milton Keynes
MK6 5LD
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.mkuh.nhs.uk/working-at-mkuh (Opens in a new tab)