Assistant Technical Officer

Job overview

Assistant Technical Officer (ATO)

Department: Cellular Pathology

Band 3 £25,760 - £27,476 per annum

Hours: 37.5 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working

We are looking for a competent and versatile individual with a positive ‘can do’ attitude who is willing to learn new skills to join our team in the role of Assistant Technical Officer (ATO).

The Cellular Pathology department at #TeamMKUH have recently had a business case approved to expand our workforce due to our popular and growing services. As the demand for pathology services increases, we are investing in our workforce, welcoming talented Biomedical Scientists, Associate Practitioners, Assistant Technical Officers, administration staff and other registered healthcare professionals who bring fresh expertise and innovation to the department. This investment in service will support a move to a 6-day working week.

Cellular Pathology is a busy but friendly department processing more than 23,000 histology specimens and 1200 cytology specimens per year and plays a vital role in the Trust’s diagnostics cancer service.

For more information, please contact Amanda Brice, the Laboratory Manager or Marie Delaney, Operational Manager / Chief Biomedical Scientist on 01908 995820.

"We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute"

Please note that we are unable to provide sponsorship for this role

Interview date: 9 November 2026

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate 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.

• 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 ISO 15189, 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.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The successful candidate 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, digital scanning of slides, referrals to specialist centres and microtomy among other tasks. Training will be given to achieve competency.

Communication and relationship skills:

• Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Liaise closely with departmental technical, administrative, and clinical staff to ensure that all technical work is performed to required standards.

Core responsibilities:

• To establish effective and collaborative working relationships with key staff.
• To organise 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.
• To maintain a high standard of confidentiality and always comply with relevant Trust policies.
• Perform requested tests in accordance with laboratory Standard Operating Procedures.

Please refer to the Job Description for further details.

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.