Job summary
Senior Healthcare Science Assistant
Department: Pathology (Blood Science)
Band 3
Hours: 37.5 per week, worked across 7 days including Weekends/BH. Shifts worked between the hours or as required.
Part time shifts considered for evenings or weekend working.
All MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
Do you thrive on working in a fast-paced environment and care about high quality patient services? Pathology and Blood Sciences have also had major investment in new equipment and refurbishment. We are committed to the quality of service we provide our patients and users and are ISO 15189 accredited for Haematology/Blood Transfusion and Chemistry repertoires.
Here at Milton Keynes we have committed leadership who engage our staff, listen to innovative ideas, and involve our people in the challenges and improvements that our organisation faces.
Continuing professional and personal development is encouraged and supported. We provide a comprehensive 24/7 service which staff support through flexible rostering.
Applications are invited to join the Pathology Support Unit of Blood Sciences as a Senior Healthcare Science Assistant working with a team of dedicated healthcare professionals to deliver a high quality service that is responsive to patient requirements.
Interview date: 12th & 13th March 2026.
We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role
Main duties of the job
To provide essential pre-analytical management of pathology specimens and requests to maintain workflow to specialist laboratory services for timely analysis.
To provide effective post analytical management of specialist laboratory investigations ensuring results are accurate, reported within expected timelines and available for scientific validation and review by clinical service users.
To provide assistance to both patients and clinical staff using the pathology service.
To manage deliveries of patient material, consumables, reagents and mail.
To provide this role over a 7 day working pattern and support delivery of a 24/7 pathology service.
You will be a key member of the PSU team providing support services to departments analysing and reporting on, blood, urine, faeces and other materials to achieve the objectives of efficient and effective patient care. You will be required to deliver a service that meets the quality standards of ISO 15189 and participate in work patterns that support our 24/7 service.
We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute
"- NHS Survey, 2024'' 94% feel that their role makes a difference to patience and service users.
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
Details
Date posted
18 February 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 3
Salary
£26,240 to £27,928 a year Per annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
430-CC26-696A
Job locations
General Pathology (Dept)
Milton Keynes
MK6 5LD
Job description
Job responsibilities
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
Liaise with reference laboratory services to ensure timely processing of referred requests
Liaise with transport and courier services to ensure timely delivery of patient requests and samples.
Monitor and action all Pathology mail received
Take receipt of referred test results, verify requested analysis is present and enter data on Pathology LIMS system for technical validation.
Take receipt of pathology specimens and verify sample is suitable for requested analysis
Monitor temperatures of incubators, refrigerators, freezers. Report any discrepancies to Team Leader/Manager staff.
Will be responsible for the appropriate preparation, packaging and dispatch of samples referred to other laboratories for tests not performed here.
Will be responsible for ensuring referred specimens are dispatched according to clinical priority and specimen requirements for specified analysis.
Filing of samples, request cards and results.
Prepare worksheets and selection of samples prior to analysis.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Job description
Job responsibilities
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
Liaise with reference laboratory services to ensure timely processing of referred requests
Liaise with transport and courier services to ensure timely delivery of patient requests and samples.
Monitor and action all Pathology mail received
Take receipt of referred test results, verify requested analysis is present and enter data on Pathology LIMS system for technical validation.
Take receipt of pathology specimens and verify sample is suitable for requested analysis
Monitor temperatures of incubators, refrigerators, freezers. Report any discrepancies to Team Leader/Manager staff.
Will be responsible for the appropriate preparation, packaging and dispatch of samples referred to other laboratories for tests not performed here.
Will be responsible for ensuring referred specimens are dispatched according to clinical priority and specimen requirements for specified analysis.
Filing of samples, request cards and results.
Prepare worksheets and selection of samples prior to analysis.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
* Level 3 qualification i.e. A level in Maths and/or Science. In the absence of this Level 2 qualification i.e. GCSE in Maths, Science or English with experience in Healthcare science.
* Knowledge and understanding of Microsoft Office applications
* Knowledge of Manual Handling and Health & Safety legislation
* Knowledge of ISO 15189 Standards for Medical laboratories
* Knowledge of Data Protection Action and GDPR
Desirable
* Level 4 Science based qualification i.e HND or first part Foundation Degree
Experience
Essential
* Experience in Healthcare and/or Healthcare Science
* Experience using with Laboratory Information Systems
* Customer Service/Care experience
Desirable
* Experience in NHS Healthcare Science
* Experience in leading teams
Skills
Essential
* Good interpersonal skills
* Record Keeping skills
* Good organisational skills
* Methodical and accurate approach to tasks
Personal and people development
Essential
* Ability to work individually and in a team
* Ability to work under pressure
* Ability to manage conflict
* Ability to train other staff
Communication
Essential
* Clear and accurate written and verbal use of English communication at all levels of the organisation
* Good Telephone ability
* Ability to apply principles of GDPR
Specific requirements
Essential
* Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
* Physical able and mobile
* Able to work 7 day pattern between
* Flexible to changing service requirements
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
* Level 3 qualification i.e. A level in Maths and/or Science. In the absence of this Level 2 qualification i.e. GCSE in Maths, Science or English with experience in Healthcare science.
* Knowledge and understanding of Microsoft Office applications
* Knowledge of Manual Handling and Health & Safety legislation
* Knowledge of ISO 15189 Standards for Medical laboratories
* Knowledge of Data Protection Action and GDPR
Desirable
* Level 4 Science based qualification i.e HND or first part Foundation Degree
Experience
Essential
* Experience in Healthcare and/or Healthcare Science
* Experience using with Laboratory Information Systems
* Customer Service/Care experience
Desirable
* Experience in NHS Healthcare Science
* Experience in leading teams
Skills
Essential
* Good interpersonal skills
* Record Keeping skills
* Good organisational skills
* Methodical and accurate approach to tasks
Personal and people development
Essential
* Ability to work individually and in a team
* Ability to work under pressure
* Ability to manage conflict
* Ability to train other staff
Communication
Essential
* Clear and accurate written and verbal use of English communication at all levels of the organisation
* Good Telephone ability
* Ability to apply principles of GDPR
Specific requirements
Essential
* Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
* Physical able and mobile
* Able to work 7 day pattern between
* Flexible to changing service requirements
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
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)
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Employer details
Employer name
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address
General Pathology (Dept)
Milton Keynes
MK6 5LD
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)
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