Job summary
Health Care Assistant - Fixed Term
Department: Endoscopy Unit
Band 3 £24,937 - £26,598 pro rata if part-time
Hours: 37.5 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 3 Health Care Assistant to join our busy Endoscopy Team. Milton Keynes University Hospital (MKUH) Endoscopy service is based over 2 sites (MKUH and Whitehouse Park Diagnostic Centre (WHP)) The unit are purpose built to support outpatient and inpatient endoscopic procedures. It consists of four Endoscopy theatres at MKUH, one of which has the facilities to undertake X- ray screening and laser procedures and two Endoscopy theatres at WHP.
The main responsibility of this post will be to work alongside our Endoscopists, Staff Nurses, Nurse Associates and Health Care Assists to delivering high level care to patients in all areas of the unit, this role is highly technical as you will be working with state-of-the-art endoscopic equipment which helps to diagnose, assess, and treat patients with the Gastrointestinal and Respiratory conditions. This can be a physically demanding and challenging role but is very rewarding for the right candidate.
If you would like to know more about the post, please contact Hannah Burnett or Sue Gittens, Senior Endoscopy Sisters on 01908 997654.Unfortunately, only short-listed applicants will be contacted.
Please note that we are not able to offer sponsorship for this role.
Interview date: 15/04/2026
Main duties of the job
'We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute'
'94% feel that their role makes a difference to patience and service users.' ''NHS Survey, 2024''
This is a dynamic team of highly motivated nurses and support staff. As an experienced communicator, you will be expected to provide an efficient and effective service, working as the patients advocate, and mindful at all times of the Trust vision. The successful candidate will embrace the challenge of working in a highly demanding environment where patient focus is paramount.
Our services include an ever-increasing number of specialised therapeutic and diagnostic procedures which require a high level of technical capability and a passion for problem solving.
The applicant does not require previous endoscopy experience as all training will be given but will need to demonstrate at interview that they can take a set of patient observations.
If you are motivated, enthusiastic and a confident team worker with good communication skills you will be well suited to work within this large multidisciplinary team.
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
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical
- Assist the multi-professional team to prepare and support patients undergoing treatment or investigation
- Assist with pre use checks of specialist equipment and escalate any concerns to the registered nurse in charge
- To provide professional and compassionate care and support during Endoscopy procedures ensuring their dignity is maintained throughout.
Communication Skills
Communicate with relatives and patients and other team members in a sensitive and caring manner, respecting dignity, and privacy at all times and under the direction of the registered practitioner support distressed patients and relatives Ensure all communication, which may be complex, contentious, or sensitive, is undertaken in a responsive and inclusive manner.
Development skills after a minimum of 12 months
Admit patients for procedures assist in the admission and discharge of patients as required by the registered nurse in charge Carry out breath tests unsupervised after being undertaking training and assessment.
Main duties and responsibilities
- Greet patients on arrival and carry out pre-admission checks in a timely manor to avoid delay to procedures
- Care for patients during Endoscopy procedures and act as an advocate
- Provide or assist patients with personal care when required
- Carry out observations before, during and after procedures and escalate any abnormal findings to the nurse in charge
- Be able to begin to anticipate an Endoscopists needs during a procedure.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical
- Assist the multi-professional team to prepare and support patients undergoing treatment or investigation
- Assist with pre use checks of specialist equipment and escalate any concerns to the registered nurse in charge
- To provide professional and compassionate care and support during Endoscopy procedures ensuring their dignity is maintained throughout.
Communication Skills
Communicate with relatives and patients and other team members in a sensitive and caring manner, respecting dignity, and privacy at all times and under the direction of the registered practitioner support distressed patients and relatives Ensure all communication, which may be complex, contentious, or sensitive, is undertaken in a responsive and inclusive manner.
Development skills after a minimum of 12 months
Admit patients for procedures assist in the admission and discharge of patients as required by the registered nurse in charge Carry out breath tests unsupervised after being undertaking training and assessment.
Main duties and responsibilities
- Greet patients on arrival and carry out pre-admission checks in a timely manor to avoid delay to procedures
- Care for patients during Endoscopy procedures and act as an advocate
- Provide or assist patients with personal care when required
- Carry out observations before, during and after procedures and escalate any abnormal findings to the nurse in charge
- Be able to begin to anticipate an Endoscopists needs during a procedure.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- GCSE level or Functional Skills in Maths & English or equivalent knowledge
- NVQ Level 3 or equivalent experience
- CARE Certificate
- Knowledge of personal care and activities of daily living
- Awareness of importance of infection prevention & control
- Understanding of the importance of safe working practices
- Understanding of the role of a Healthcare Assistant
Desirable
- Studying Nursing or Midwifery or similar at university
- Awareness of NHS policies
- Assessors training/certificate
Experience
Essential
- Experience working in a care setting
- Experience of working in a team
Desirable
- Previous NHS experience
- Experience in supporting junior staff
Skills
Essential
- Ability to demonstrate commitment to high standards of care
- Accurate record keeping
- Ability to work under pressure
- Ability to prioritise tasks effectively at short notice
- Caring in a professional manner towards patients and their relatives.
- Good time management
- Ability to induct, support, assess and develop junior members of staff.
- Ability to undertake clinical observations and tasks including phlebotomy
Desirable
Personal and people development
Essential
- Commitment to Safeguarding
- Presents a professional appearance
- Ability to work within a team
- Self-motivated and enthusiastic
- Commitment to working in a caring environment with people of all ages
Communication
Essential
- Clear spoken and written English
- Able to show care, empathy and respect to patients and their families
- Able to communicate with team members, carrying out instructions and feeding back information.
- Able to record care provided using MKUH documentation and complying with MKUH policies and guidelines.
- Able to feedback to staff on safe and effective practice.
Desirable
- Able to feedback on assessments undertaken.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- GCSE level or Functional Skills in Maths & English or equivalent knowledge
- NVQ Level 3 or equivalent experience
- CARE Certificate
- Knowledge of personal care and activities of daily living
- Awareness of importance of infection prevention & control
- Understanding of the importance of safe working practices
- Understanding of the role of a Healthcare Assistant
Desirable
- Studying Nursing or Midwifery or similar at university
- Awareness of NHS policies
- Assessors training/certificate
Experience
Essential
- Experience working in a care setting
- Experience of working in a team
Desirable
- Previous NHS experience
- Experience in supporting junior staff
Skills
Essential
- Ability to demonstrate commitment to high standards of care
- Accurate record keeping
- Ability to work under pressure
- Ability to prioritise tasks effectively at short notice
- Caring in a professional manner towards patients and their relatives.
- Good time management
- Ability to induct, support, assess and develop junior members of staff.
- Ability to undertake clinical observations and tasks including phlebotomy
Desirable
Personal and people development
Essential
- Commitment to Safeguarding
- Presents a professional appearance
- Ability to work within a team
- Self-motivated and enthusiastic
- Commitment to working in a caring environment with people of all ages
Communication
Essential
- Clear spoken and written English
- Able to show care, empathy and respect to patients and their families
- Able to communicate with team members, carrying out instructions and feeding back information.
- Able to record care provided using MKUH documentation and complying with MKUH policies and guidelines.
- Able to feedback to staff on safe and effective practice.
Desirable
- Able to feedback on assessments undertaken.
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.
