Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Assistant Technical Officer (ATO)

The closing date is 17 September 2025

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Job summary

Assistant Technical Officer (ATO)

Department Cellular Pathology

Band 3 £24,937 - £26,598 per annum, pro rata

Hours 18.75 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working

Cellular Pathology is a busy but friendly department processing more than 22,000 histology specimens and 1200 cytology specimens per year and plays a vital role in the Trust's diagnostics cancer service.

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

The successful candidates 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 and microtomy among other tasks. Training will be given to achieve competency.

Ideally you 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.

Please note that we are not able to offer sponsorship for this role.

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

Main duties of the job

'We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute'

o To support the delivery of a high quality, responsive and comprehensive Cellular Pathology service for the trust and its users.

o 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.

o 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.

o Help the Cellular Pathology team to meet departmental and trust KPI's.

o To work safely in accordance with trust health and safety policy and departmental policies to deliver a safe, high-quality service for its users.

o To comply with clinical governance and risk management policies and ensure all mandatory training is completed in accordance with the trust guidelines

About us

Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.

As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.

We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.

Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards - and the recently approved Women and Children's Centre, set to open by 2030.

Visit our website to explore the latest news and opportunities at MKUH - News - Milton Keynes University Hospital -

For further information about Milton Keynes please visit - Visit Milton Keynes

Details

Date posted

03 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

430-CC25-349A

Job locations

Histopathology (Dept)

Milton Keynes

MK6 5LD


Job description

Job responsibilities

Main duties and responsibilities

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.

Please refer to the Job Description for further details.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main duties and responsibilities

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.

Please refer to the Job Description for further details.

Person Specification

Qualifications and knowledge

Essential

  • Science, English and Maths GCSEs at C or above (or equivalent)
  • NVQ level 3 or equivalent level qualification
  • Basic computer skills
  • Knowledge of importance of confidentiality

Desirable

  • Qualifications with a laboratory relevance
  • Knowledge of anatomical / medical terminology

Experience

Desirable

  • NHS experience
  • Experience of working in a health care environment
  • Experience of working in a laboratory
  • 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
  • Ability to prioritise and manage conflicting priorities.

Personal and people development

Essential

  • Work on own or as part of a team.
  • Be confident, diplomatic and have personal & professional maturity.
  • Be enthusiastic.
  • Polite and courteous
  • Be self-motivated and patient focused
  • Initiative and common sense
  • Willing to learn

Desirable

  • Commitment to personal development

Communication

Essential

  • Clear, accurate written and verbal communication
  • Effective listening skills
  • Good interpersonal skills.
  • Participate in departmental meetings

Specific requirements

Essential

  • To perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
  • Demonstrate reliabilty and commitment
  • To carry out the lifting and handling requirements of the post
Person Specification

Qualifications and knowledge

Essential

  • Science, English and Maths GCSEs at C or above (or equivalent)
  • NVQ level 3 or equivalent level qualification
  • Basic computer skills
  • Knowledge of importance of confidentiality

Desirable

  • Qualifications with a laboratory relevance
  • Knowledge of anatomical / medical terminology

Experience

Desirable

  • NHS experience
  • Experience of working in a health care environment
  • Experience of working in a laboratory
  • 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
  • Ability to prioritise and manage conflicting priorities.

Personal and people development

Essential

  • Work on own or as part of a team.
  • Be confident, diplomatic and have personal & professional maturity.
  • Be enthusiastic.
  • Polite and courteous
  • Be self-motivated and patient focused
  • Initiative and common sense
  • Willing to learn

Desirable

  • Commitment to personal development

Communication

Essential

  • Clear, accurate written and verbal communication
  • Effective listening skills
  • Good interpersonal skills.
  • Participate in departmental meetings

Specific requirements

Essential

  • To perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
  • Demonstrate reliabilty and commitment
  • To carry out the lifting and handling requirements of the post

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Histopathology (Dept)

Milton Keynes

MK6 5LD


Employer's website

https://www.mkuh.nhs.uk/working-at-mkuh (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Histopathology (Dept)

Milton Keynes

MK6 5LD


Employer's website

https://www.mkuh.nhs.uk/working-at-mkuh (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Cellular Pathology Laboratory Manager

Amanda Brice

amanda.brice@mkuh.nhs.uk

Details

Date posted

03 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

430-CC25-349A

Job locations

Histopathology (Dept)

Milton Keynes

MK6 5LD


Supporting documents

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