Employer Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Histopathology (Dept) Town Milton Keynes Salary £24,625 - £25,674 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 09/07/2025 23:59 Interview date 29/07/2025
Assistant Technical Officer
Band 3
MKUH staff scored highest for ‘I look forward to coming to work’ (NHS Staff Survey 2023).
You can expect a warm welcome at Milton Keynes University Hospital, our staff are friendly and welcoming. We listen to each other and work together to embed our Trusts values and behaviours. At MKUH we appreciate our staff and reward them with an outstanding benefits package including:
* Free on-site parking
* Free refreshments
* Great flexible workingopportunities
* Discounted gym membership
* Lease car scheme
* Generous annual leave and pension scheme
* Extensive staff health and well-being programme
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital; we conduct research and teaching on site to improve the care of our patients. The hospital is undergoing significant investment, and we are proud to be rated good by the CQC. Visit our website to catch up on our latest news.
Job overview
Assistant Technical Officer
Band 3: £24,625 - £25,674 per annum
Full-time 37.5 hours per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
Cellular Pathology is a busy but friendly department processing more than 22,000 histology specimens and 1200 cytology specimens per year & plays a vital role in the Trust’s diagnostics cancer service.
We are l ooking for competent and versatile individuals with a positive ‘can do’ attitude who are willing to learn new skills to join our team in the role of Assistant Technical Officer.
The successful candidates will participate in core laboratory duties including receiving and processing patient's samples, data entry, assisting at tissue dissection, equipment operation and maintenance, managing laboratory waste disposal and microtomy among other tasks. Training will be given to achieve competency.
Ideally you will have GCSEs in Science, Maths and English and/or an NVQ level 3 or equivalent level qualification or qualifications with a laboratory relevance. In addition to this, you must also have good verbal and written communication skills, have basic IT skills, enjoy working individually and as part of a team and be able to manage some lifting and handling tasks.
For more information, please contact Amanda Brice, Laboratory Manager or Marie Delaney, Operational Manager/Chief Biomedical Scientist on 01908 995820.
Interview date: 29.07.2025
Main duties of the job
* 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 ISO15189, 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.
Working for our organisation
"Our Health and Safety Climate score outperforms the national average, showing our commitment to creating a safe, healthy and supportive environment for all" (NHS Staff Survey 2024)
You can expect a warm welcome at Milton Keynes University Hospital, our staff are friendly and welcoming. We listen to each other and work together to embed our Trusts values and behaviours. At MKUH we appreciate our staff and reward them with an outstanding benefits package including:
* Free on-site parking
* Free tea and coffee
* Great flexible workingopportunities
* Discounted gym membership
* Lease car scheme
* Generous annual leave and pension scheme
* Extensive staff health and well-being programme
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital; we conduct research and teaching on site to improve the care of our patients. The hospital is undergoing significant investment, and we are proud to be rated good by the CQC. Visit our website to catch up on our latest news.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Communication and relationship skills:
* Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Core responsibilities:
* To establish effective and collaborative working relationships with key staff.
* To o rganise 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.
Please refer to the job description for further details
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 a sufficient number of 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 and knowledge
* Science, English and Maths GCSEs at C or above (or equivalent)
* Basic computer skills
* Knowledge of importance of confidentiality
* Qualifications with a laboratory relevance
* Knowledge of anatomical / medical terminology
Experience
* NHS experience
* Experience of working in a health care environment
* Experience of working in a laboratory
* Experience of data entry into information management systems
Skills
* 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
* Effective team worker
* Ability to work under pressure
* Ability to prioritise and manage conflicting priorities.
Personal and people development
* Work on own or as part of a team.
* Be confident, diplomatic and have personal & professional maturity.
* Polite and courteous
* Be self-motivated and patient focused.
* Initiative and common sense
* Willing to learn
* Commitment to personal development
Communication
* Clear, accurate written and verbal communication
* Good interpersonal skills.
Specific requirements
* To perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
* Demonstrate reliabilty and commitment
* To carry out the lifting and handling requirements of the post
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 a sufficient number of 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.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
#J-18808-Ljbffr