Job summary
Associate Practitioner
Department: Pathology - Haematology/Blood Transfusion
Band 4 £27,485 - £30,162 per annum
Full-time 37.5 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
An opportunity has arisen within this busy Pathology service to join the Blood Science (Haematology/Blood transfusion) team.
Pathology & Blood Sciences have a Sysmex XN9000 track, Bio-Rad Variant II for Haemoglobinopathy screening and two Ortho vision analysers. In 2021, Haematology introduced two ACL TOP 550 analysers for coagulation sample processing and two Cube 30 Touch analysers for ESR. In 2023 the department implemented the blood film staining platform Sysmex SP50 and in 2024, the GeneXpert for FV Leiden/Prothrombin gene mutation detection was also implemented.
For further information contact Senturan Soundrasritharan, Haematology Operational Manager 01908 995780 or senturan.Soundrasritharan@mkuh.nhs.uk or Sewa Joacquim-Hearne, Blood Transfusion Manager 01908 995832 orAdesewa.Joacquim-Hearne@mkuh.nhs.uk
Interview date: 06.10.2025
Main duties of the job
You will be part of a dedicated team of healthcare professionals who deliver a high quality service that is responsive to patient requirements. Awareness of the requirements for compliance with the ISO15189 standards is a key requirement for this role. We look to continually improve our services for our patients & are therefore looking for staff with the right attitude who will work with us to achieve this. We are looking for a competent and versatile person with an absolute attention to detail.
We are committed to the quality of service we provide our patients & users & have been awarded ISO15189 accreditation for Haematology/Blood Transfusion and Chemistry repertoires. The laboratory is also an IBMS training laboratory.
We have committed leadership who engage our staff, listen to innovative ideas, involve our people in the challenges & improvements that our organisation faces. Continuing professional & personal development is encouraged & supported. We provide a comprehensive 24/7 service which the successful candidate will support through flexible rostering.
- You will be part of a team of Associate Practitioners assisting in the delivery of a diagnostic service analysing blood, urine, faeces & other materials to achieve the objectives of efficient and effective patient care, and effective resource management within the hospital.
- You will undertake their responsibilities within the Blood Sciences department to meet all required national & Trust standards.
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.
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For further information about Milton Keynes please visit - Visit Milton Keynes
Job description
Job responsibilities
Communication:
- Liaise closely with departmental technical and clinical staff to ensure that all technical work is performed to departmental standards.
Core responsibilities:
- Staff will support the 24/7 laboratory service and 7 day working across the Trust within their contracted hours. The post holder will be expected to work a 7-day shift pattern during the hours 0730-2000 or as operationally required. Shift patterns utilised will be compliant with working time legislation and will include unsocial hours paid at Agenda for Change pay rates.
- The basic use and demonstrable proficiency of all analytical equipment within the department, and those Point of Care Testing devices controlled by the department.
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:
- Liaise closely with departmental technical and clinical staff to ensure that all technical work is performed to departmental standards.
Core responsibilities:
- Staff will support the 24/7 laboratory service and 7 day working across the Trust within their contracted hours. The post holder will be expected to work a 7-day shift pattern during the hours 0730-2000 or as operationally required. Shift patterns utilised will be compliant with working time legislation and will include unsocial hours paid at Agenda for Change pay rates.
- The basic use and demonstrable proficiency of all analytical equipment within the department, and those Point of Care Testing devices controlled by the department.
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
- Good standard of general education.
- Science/Math studied to A Level or equivalent
- The equivalent of NVQ level 3 or an approved Foundation Course in Science if not already qualified
- Foundation degree or degree in Biomedical Science or accredited degree
Desirable
- Knowledge of the principles of Health & Safety at Work
Experience
Essential
- Experience in Pathology laboratory.
- Experience to Vocational Qualification Level 3 or equivalent level plus additional theoretical or applied training in specific discipline to diploma equivalent level
Desirable
- Experience of working unsocial shift patterns
Skills
Essential
- Good organizational skills
- Able to achieve high standards of technical duties.
- Clear and accurate written and verbal communication skills.
- Hand eye co-ordination and accuracy when performing tests.
- Ability to work unsupervised in a managed environment
Personal and people development
Essential
- Ability to work under pressure.
- Ability to work in a team and be supportive to other team members.
- Concentration and attention to detail.
- Flexible approach
- Forward thinking
- Able and willing to work unsocial hours as required of the role
Communication
Essential
- Good communication skills including a clear command of written and spoken English.
- Must have Information Technology skills
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Good standard of general education.
- Science/Math studied to A Level or equivalent
- The equivalent of NVQ level 3 or an approved Foundation Course in Science if not already qualified
- Foundation degree or degree in Biomedical Science or accredited degree
Desirable
- Knowledge of the principles of Health & Safety at Work
Experience
Essential
- Experience in Pathology laboratory.
- Experience to Vocational Qualification Level 3 or equivalent level plus additional theoretical or applied training in specific discipline to diploma equivalent level
Desirable
- Experience of working unsocial shift patterns
Skills
Essential
- Good organizational skills
- Able to achieve high standards of technical duties.
- Clear and accurate written and verbal communication skills.
- Hand eye co-ordination and accuracy when performing tests.
- Ability to work unsupervised in a managed environment
Personal and people development
Essential
- Ability to work under pressure.
- Ability to work in a team and be supportive to other team members.
- Concentration and attention to detail.
- Flexible approach
- Forward thinking
- Able and willing to work unsocial hours as required of the role
Communication
Essential
- Good communication skills including a clear command of written and spoken English.
- Must have Information Technology skills
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able 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.
