Job summary
Cellular Pathology Secretary
Department: Cellular Pathology
Band 3 £24,937 - £26,598 per annum pro rata
Fixed-term contract for 12 months from start date
Full-time 37.5 hours per week,all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
The Cellular Pathology department is seeking to recruit a motivated and versatile individual with a positive "can do" attitude and willing to learn new skills to join our professional and friendly team in the role of Departmental Secretary on a 12-month fixed-term contract.
The individual will be a member of the administration team supporting the delivery of an efficient, high quality Cellular Pathology service. The key elements of this role are varied and include the provision of an efficient secretarial service to the Consultant Histopathologist, including the entry of diagnostic reports and the typing of medical correspondence. Medical terminology would be ad advantage.
The individual will work methodically and always pay attention to detail. Duties will also include troubleshooting queries, managing the administrative mailbox, filing and retrieval of blocks and slides for referral to specialist centres.
For more information, please contact Leigh Stevenson, Cellular Pathology Office Manager on 01908 995804 or Amanda Brice, Cellular Pathology Laboratory Manager on 01908 995820.
Interview date: 02.09.2025
Main duties of the job
- To support the delivery of a high quality, responsive and comprehensive Cellular Pathology service for the trust and its users.
- To liaise with the Pathologists regarding the provision of a quality secretarial service.
- To take relevant action on telephone calls from hospital staff, GP's and Cellular Pathology departments at other Trusts.
- 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.
About us
"We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute"
"Administrative and Clerical staff feel supported with flexible working at MKUH, reporting 6.82 out of 10, and a 76% feel strongly about approaching their managers regarding flexible working"(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
Communication & relationship skills:
- Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Liaise closely with departmental technical, and clinical staff to ensure that all work is performed to required standards.
- To liaise with other healthcare professionals in a professional and competent manner providing approved departmental information as appropriate, using verbal and electronic communication.
Core responsibilities:
- To establish effective and collaborative working relationships with key staff.
- Toorganise 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.
- Workin a safe manner in accordance with department and Trust health and safety and risk management policies.
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
Communication & relationship skills:
- Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Liaise closely with departmental technical, and clinical staff to ensure that all work is performed to required standards.
- To liaise with other healthcare professionals in a professional and competent manner providing approved departmental information as appropriate, using verbal and electronic communication.
Core responsibilities:
- To establish effective and collaborative working relationships with key staff.
- Toorganise 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.
- Workin a safe manner in accordance with department and Trust health and safety and risk management policies.
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
- English and Maths GCSEs at C or above (or equivalent)
- NVQ level 3 or equivalent level qualification/experience
- Proficient keyboard skills
- Knowledge of importance of confidentiality
Desirable
- Knowledge of anatomical / medical terminology
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in an administrative office environment
Desirable
- NHS experience
- Experience of working in a health care environment
- Experience of data entry into information management systems
Skills
Essential
- Possess excellent communication skills - communicate effectively and sensitively
- Follow detailed protocols and procedures.
- Good time management skills with an ability to prioritise
- Good use of initiative
- Well developed organisational skills
- Good people skills
- Effective team worker
- Ability to work under pressure
Desirable
- Ability to audio type with speed and accuracy
- Experience of BigHand digital dictation
Personal and people development
Essential
- Work on own or as part of a team.
- Friendly and caring manner.
- Demonstrate ability in dealing sympathetically and sensitvely with people/clinical information
- Be self-motivated and patient focused.
- Willing to learn
- Enthusiastic and proactive
Desirable
- Commitment to personal development
Communication
Essential
- Clear, accurate written and verbal communication
- Effective listening skills
- Good interpersonal skills.
Specific requirements
Essential
- To perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- English and Maths GCSEs at C or above (or equivalent)
- NVQ level 3 or equivalent level qualification/experience
- Proficient keyboard skills
- Knowledge of importance of confidentiality
Desirable
- Knowledge of anatomical / medical terminology
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in an administrative office environment
Desirable
- NHS experience
- Experience of working in a health care environment
- Experience of data entry into information management systems
Skills
Essential
- Possess excellent communication skills - communicate effectively and sensitively
- Follow detailed protocols and procedures.
- Good time management skills with an ability to prioritise
- Good use of initiative
- Well developed organisational skills
- Good people skills
- Effective team worker
- Ability to work under pressure
Desirable
- Ability to audio type with speed and accuracy
- Experience of BigHand digital dictation
Personal and people development
Essential
- Work on own or as part of a team.
- Friendly and caring manner.
- Demonstrate ability in dealing sympathetically and sensitvely with people/clinical information
- Be self-motivated and patient focused.
- Willing to learn
- Enthusiastic and proactive
Desirable
- Commitment to personal development
Communication
Essential
- Clear, accurate written and verbal communication
- Effective listening skills
- Good interpersonal skills.
Specific requirements
Essential
- To perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
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.
