Healthcare Science Assistant (Pathology Support Unit) – Band 2, Department of Pathology (Blood Sciences), Milton Keynes University Hospital.
Hours: Up to 37.5 per week; 7‑day service, including weekends and bank holidays. Shifts 08:45‑21:00 OW/EVN. Evening (Mon‑Fri) and weekend part‑time shifts also available. Interview date: 26/11/2025.
Responsibilities
* Provide essential pre‑analytical management of pathology specimens and requests to maintain workflow to specialist laboratory services for timely analysis.
* Assist patients and clinical staff using the pathology service.
* Manage deliveries of patient material, consumables, reagents and mail.
* Support a 24/7 pathology service; work a 7‑day pattern.
* Progression path – staff may progress to a higher‑level Healthcare Science Assistant following demonstration of knowledge and competency.
* Maintain a professional approach to work; deal courteously with internal and external enquiries.
* Manage Pathology reception; receive visitors and patients, ensure printed results are sent to requesters in a timely manner.
* Handle telephone enquiries; authorise personal or confidential information; pass enquiries to BMS staff where appropriate.
* Comply with Data Protection regulations and maintain patient confidentiality.
* Monitor and action all Pathology mail received.
* Take receipt of pathology specimens and verify samples are suitable for requested analysis.
* Monitor temperatures of incubators, refrigerators and freezers; report discrepancies to Team Leader/Manager staff.
* File samples, request cards and results.
* Prepare worksheets and select samples prior to analysis.
* Ensure patients, members of the public and external healthcare staff are given correct protocols for any test required and that they understand what is required.
* Receive all types of specimens (e.g. blood, urine, faeces) for laboratory investigation; check theatre histology samples to ensure correctness and sign in the theatre book.
* Check patient identification on samples/request cards, attach laboratory numbers (or barcodes) as appropriate; investigate mislabelled or missing samples and report inadequate samples to qualified laboratory staff; log all mismatched requests according to quality standards.
This advert closes on Thursday 20 Nov 2025.
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