Job summary

Pathology Healthcare Science AssistantDepartment: Pathology Support UnitBand: 2/3: £25,272 - £27,476 per annum

This is a development post starting at band 2

Hours: 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.

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.

This is a developmental role, with structured training and support to help you develop your skills and progress to the Senior Pathology Healthcare Science Assistant role, following successful completion of training and demonstration of the required knowledge and competencies.

For further information, please contact Shane Breckenridge, Pathology Support Unit Manager, at [email protected] or Jonathan Popoola, Deputy Pathology Support Unit Manager, at [email protected].

We are not able to provide sponsorship for this role

Interview date: 28 September 2026

Main duties of the job

Strong 81.2% of additional clinical services feel care of patients is their top priority ''NHS Survey, 2024''

'We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute'

Motivated, organised and detail-oriented individuals are invited to join our Pathology team. You will work in a busy laboratory environment where accuracy, excellent communication and the ability to prioritise tasks are essential. The role involves following established procedures, managing routine work, using computer systems and delivering a high-quality service to patients and clinical staff.

We are committed to investing in our people and laboratories, with modern equipment, upgraded facilities and a supportive culture that encourages staff development, innovation and continuous improvement. Full training and support will be provided to help you succeed.

Key responsibilities include the pre-analytical management of pathology specimens and requests to ensure efficient workflow and timely analysis, and the post-analytical management of specialist investigations to ensure accurate results are available for scientific validation and clinical review. The role also involves assisting patients and healthcare professionals, managing deliveries of specimens, consumables, reagents and mail, and supporting the delivery of a 24/7 pathology service across a 7-day working pattern.

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

Details

Date posted

10 September 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£25,272 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

430-CC26-1145A

Job locations

General Pathology (Dept)

Milton Keynes

MK6 5LD

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

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.

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.

Please refer to the attached job descriptions for further information

Job description Job responsibilities 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. 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. Please refer to the attached job descriptions for further information

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 Manual Handling and Health & Safety requirements and responsibilities

Desirable

• Level 3 qualification, e.g. A Level in Maths and/or Science, or Level 2 qualification with experience in Healthcare Science.
• Level 4 science-based qualification, e.g. HND or first part of Foundation Degree

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

Skills

Essential

• Accurate data entry and record-keeping skills
• Methodical and accurate approach to tasks with attention to detail

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

Desirable

• Ability to train and support other staff

Communication

Essential

• Ability to communicate professionally with colleagues, service users and external contacts at appropriate levels of the organisation.
• Good telephone manner and communication skills

Desirable

• Ability to train and support other staff

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 Manual Handling and Health & Safety requirements and responsibilities Desirable Level 3 qualification, e.g. A Level in Maths and/or Science, or Level 2 qualification with experience in Healthcare Science. Level 4 science-based qualification, e.g. HND or first part of Foundation Degree 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 Skills Essential Accurate data entry and record-keeping skills Methodical and accurate approach to tasks with attention to detail 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 Desirable Ability to train and support other staff Communication Essential Ability to communicate professionally with colleagues, service users and external contacts at appropriate levels of the organisation. Good telephone manner and communication skills Desirable Ability to train and support other staff

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)

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)