Senior Healthcare Science Assistant

Job overview

Senior Pathology Healthcare Science Assistant

Department: Pathology Support Unit

Band 3, £25,760 - £27,476 per annum

Hours: Full time, 37.5 per week, worked across 7 days including weekends and bank holidays. Shifts are worked between 08:45 and 21:00, in accordance with the departmental rota and service requirements, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working

Do you enjoy working in a busy, fast-paced environment where your work makes a real difference? Are you organised, reliable and take pride in delivering a high-quality service? If so, we'd love to hear from you.

This is a fixed-term post to cover maternity leave until 22 August 2027.

'We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute'

Please note: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Interview date: 31 August 2026

Main duties of the job

Join the Pathology Support Unit at Milton Keynes University Hospital and become part of a friendly, dedicated team at the heart of our ISO 15189 accredited diagnostic services. As a Senior Pathology Healthcare Science Assistant, you'll play a vital role in ensuring patient samples and requests are received, processed and prepared accurately, enabling timely laboratory testing and supporting excellent patient care.

From supporting patients and healthcare professionals at reception to handling specimens, data entry and laboratory support activities, no two days are the same, and every task contributes to the safe and efficient delivery of our Pathology service.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

NHS Staff Survey: Motivation and Involvement scores are among the highest in our peer group, showing that our people feel inspired and included in decision-making.

We're looking for an enthusiastic individual who is motivated, organised and has excellent attention to detail. You'll enjoy working as part of a team, communicate confidently with a wide range of people and remain calm and focused in a busy environment where accuracy is essential. You'll be comfortable following established procedures, managing routine tasks, using computer systems and prioritising your workload. If you're keen to learn, committed to high standards and take pride in providing an excellent service, we'll provide the training and support you need to succeed.

Milton Keynes University Hospital is committed to investing in both its people and its laboratories. Our Pathology services have benefited from significant investment in modern equipment and facilities, and we foster a supportive culture where staff are encouraged to share ideas, contribute to service improvements and continue developing their skills

Please refer to attached Job description for further information.

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 enough 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.

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.