About this role
Job summary
Blood Sciences & Deputy Manager
Department: Pathology
Band 8B, £66,582 - £77,368 Per annum, pro rata
Hours: Full time, 37.5 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
The MKUH Pathology services are seeking an engaging and enthusiastic HCPC registered individual to provide operational leadership for the Blood Science department and deputise for the Pathology Service Manager. The post holder will: -
Manage and professionally direct a team of scientific and support staff to deliver a diagnostic service that meets accreditation & regulatory requirements to deliver effective patient care and resource management.
Will ensure the diagnostic service is responsive to clinical needs and is developed accordingly.
Will undertake their responsibilities within the Blood Sciences department to meet all required national and Trust standards.
Will liaise with the S4 network to ensure standard approaches are undertaken
Will be responsible for organisational development of Blood Science Service under strategic leadership of the Pathology Service Manager 'We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute'
Pleasenote:We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.
Interview date: 29 June 2026
Main duties of the job
The successful applicant should be able to deliver the following duties,
Liaise with departmental technical and clinical staff to ensure that all scientific and clinical work is performed to professional standards.
Represent the laboratory departments at all CSU and relevant Trust meetings, ensuring specific needs of the departments are recognised.
Lead role for Health and Safety issues on behalf of all the services in Blood Science. Attend the Trust Health and Safety meeting on behalf of the Pathology CSU as required.
Deputise for Pathology Services Manager on a rotational basis with other departmental leads and at other times as requested and appropriate.
Responsible in benchmarking and audits for the Blood Sciences departments to ensure that quality of service delivery improves clinical outcome for patient care.
Interpret and implement policies, legislation, regulations and guidance from within the Trust and from local and national level.
Using their technical and scientific knowledge in collaboration with the S4 network ensure new Equipment meets the analytical requirement for service provision.
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
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.
Accountable for direct delivery of Blood Sciences, providing technical knowledge for service delivery to the users, improving clinical outcomes
Responsible on ensuring the GIRFT requirements are met, supporting national requirements for all patients to receive equality provision in care across the ICB.
Technical expertise to investigate new scientific initiatives and methodology.
Liaise with clinical service leads and providers to develop care pathways that align with national and local (BLMK & S4 Pathology Network) strategies for patient care.
Provide complex interpretation of diagnostic reporting to NHSE to support the faster diagnostic strategy, including but not limited to Model Hospital and GIRFT initiatives, virtual wards and community embedded diagnostics.
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, encouragingdiversity,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 onceenoughapplications 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 isin accordance withthe streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.
Uponcommencingemploymentwith theTrust,allemployees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions)aresubjectto aprobationary periodlastingaperiod of sixmonthswithanoptiontoextendfor afurther sixmonths toatotalof 12months.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge Essential
Biomedical Science degree or equivalent Master's degree or equivalent in a relevant subject State registration with HCPC Evidence of CPD Management qualification or equivalent Capacity planning, managing waiting lists and developing business cases. Current knowledge and understanding of the NHS constitution. Trust vision, values, and strategic objectives Able to practically apply a range of specialist knowledge and expertise to leadership of given service areas In depth knowledge of CQC, UKAS QSI accreditation and how they relate to the acute and imaging setting Significant budget management experience, including cost minimization, monitoring and corrective action, and capital planning. Knowledge of workforce planning principles and practice. Ability to analyse and review a range of diverse and highly complex and sometimes conflicting information Understanding of relevant legislation relating to Imaging, Clinical Governance, Health and Safety, NHS codes of conduct and employment law. Knowledge of a wide range of Pathology best practices and improvement processes
Desirable
Strategic awareness within healthcare Holds clinical knowledge and experience working at a senior level in the acute setting. Has experience as a Service Lead or Deputy and knowledge of Pathology service management.
Experience Essential
Experience of managing a Pathology department, Biochemistry, Haematology, Blood Transfusion or Immunology, POCT Experience of managing budgets and achieving financial targets. Experience in managing and leading teams under pressure Experience of leading a department in readiness for UKAS/MHRA compliance Problem solving Previous supervision of staff at Senior BMS level and above
Desirable
Experience of implementing change, performance management and working under pressure
Skills Essential
Evidence of personal achievement of results through strong leadership skills and implementation strategies. Good organizational and time management skills High level of self-motivation and willingness to learn and develop and able to inspire this attribute in others. Logical approach to problem solving Able to analyze and interpret complex data Resilient and able to manage as well as prioritize conflicting demands. Proven ability to deliver a high-quality service Confident to lead on transformation projects and service change or re-design with a focus on productivity and efficiency. Can effectively manage and lead multi-professional teams with a focus on productivity and efficiency. Capable of developing protocols and implementing audits, policies, and procedures. Personnel management skills including recruitment and selection and performance management Manage challenging situations and challenging relationships. Experience of managing relationships and developing services for key partners including Imaging Networks, GP's, integrated Care Boards, and other agencies Group Facilitation skills Contributes to the development of business plans and service development. Able to demonstrate knowledge of budget setting.
Personal and people development Essential
Ability to command respect Proven leadership and management skills within in busy pressurised department Able to manage and direct staff effectively Motivational skills
Communication Essential
Good written, verbal, and non-verbal communication skills. Proven ability to deal with confidential, stressful, and difficult situations sensitively with a wide range of people and build credibility quickly. Ability to work autonomously, collaboratively and as part of a multi-professional team. Professional approach to work, appearance, and conduct Excellent report writing skills Strong influencing and negotiating skills to allow divisional strategic objectives to be obtained. Flexible in their attitudes and behaviours to support team working and delivery of objectives
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)