Healthcare Science Assistant

Job overview

Healthcare Science Assistant

Department: Pathology - PSU

Band 2 £24,465 per annum

Full-time 37.5 hours per week, worked across 7 days including weekends/Bank Holidays. Shifts worked between 0845 to 2100 or as required, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working

Pathology and Blood Sciences have had major investment in new equipment and refurbishment. We are committed to the quality of service we provide our patients and users and were recently awarded ISO 15189 accreditation for Haematology/Blood Transfusion and Chemistry repertoires.

Here at MKUH, we have committed leadership who engage our staff, listen to innovates 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.

For further information, contact Rachel Mason, PSU Manager at [email protected] on 01908 995769 or Jonathan Popoola Deputy PSU Manager at [email protected] on 01908 995758.

Interview date: 05.09.2025

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 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.
• This is a developmental role from which staff may progress to the Pathology Healthcare Science Assistant – Higher Level position, following demonstration of knowledge and competency for that role.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Applications are invited to join the Pathology Support Unit of Blood Sciences as a Healthcare Science Assistant working with a team of dedicated healthcare professionals to deliver a high quality service that is responsive to patient requirements. 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.

• 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.
• Monitor and action all Pathology mail received

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.