Job summary
Senior Pathology Healthcare Science Assistant & Phlebotomist
Department: Pathology - Blood Science (Pathology Support)
Band 3: £24,625 - £25,674 per annum
Full-time 37.5 hours per week, 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 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 Pathology Healthcare Science Assistant & Phlebotomist within a team of dedicated healthcare professionals to deliver a high quality service that is responsive to patient requirements.
For further information, please contact Jonathan Popoola - Deputy PSU Manager at Jonathan.popoola@mkuh.nhs.uk or Rachel Mason - PSU Manager at rachel.mason2@mkuh.nhs.uk on 01908 995769.
Interview date: 11.07.2025
Main duties of the job
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 also be a key member of the Pathology Phlebotomy team, delivering training in phlebotomy process. You will be required to deliver a service that meets the quality standards of ISO 151889 and participate in work patterns that support our 24/7 service.
- To provide a timely and caring phlebotomy service to the wards of Milton Keynes University Hospital and thus helping with the diagnosis and discharge of patients.
- To process samples within the laboratory in a timely manner and thus help with the diagnosis and discharge of patients. To provide information and assist with enquiries as and when required.
- Work according to departmental SOP's (standard operating procedures) in the provision of a quality service.
- To provide essential pre-analytical management of pathology specimens and requests to maintain workflow to specialist laboratory services for timely analysis.
- Toprovide assistance to both patients and clinical staff using the pathology service.
- To managedeliveries of patient material, consumables, reagents and mail.
- Toprovide this role over a 7 day working pattern and support delivery of a 24/7 pathology service.
About us
"We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute"
"Our staff scored Autonomy and Control at 7.19, well above the national average. Here, you're trusted to lead, innovate and shape your work" (NHS Staff Survey 2024)
You can expect a warm welcome at Milton Keynes University Hospital, our staff are friendly and welcoming. We listen to each other and work together to embed our Trusts values and behaviours. At MKUH we appreciate our staff and reward them with an outstanding benefits package including:
- Free on-site parking
- Free tea and coffee
- Great flexible workingopportunities
- Discounted gym membership
- Lease car scheme
- Generous annual leave and pension scheme
- On site nursery (chargeable)
- Extensive staff health and well-being programme
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital; we conduct research and teaching on site to improve the care of our patients. The hospital is undergoing significant investment, and we are proud to be rated good by the CQC. Visit our website to catch up on our latest news.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Perform venepuncture on patients as requested and in accordance with the policies of Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
- Visit designated areas of the hospital to collect blood samples.
- Mix and label these specimens with due care and attention.
- Be courteous and polite to patients at all times.
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.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Perform venepuncture on patients as requested and in accordance with the policies of Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
- Visit designated areas of the hospital to collect blood samples.
- Mix and label these specimens with due care and attention.
- Be courteous and polite to patients at all times.
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.
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
- Experience in venepuncture
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
- Venepuncture skills
- Good practical skills, dexterous, hand & eye coordination
- Training Skills
- Able to work under pressure in a busy environment
- Effective team player
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
- Able to reassure patients with differing cognitive ability
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
- Physically able and mobile
- Able to work 7 day pattern between 0845-2100
- Flexible to changing service requirements
- Able to train new member of staff
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
- Experience in venepuncture
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
- Venepuncture skills
- Good practical skills, dexterous, hand & eye coordination
- Training Skills
- Able to work under pressure in a busy environment
- Effective team player
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
- Able to reassure patients with differing cognitive ability
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
- Physically able and mobile
- Able to work 7 day pattern between 0845-2100
- Flexible to changing service requirements
- Able to train new member of staff
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.
