Job summary
Pathology Support Unit Manager
Department: Blood Sciences and Microbiology
Band 7 £47,810 - £54,710 per annum
Hours: 37.5 per week , all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working.
We are seeking an experienced and motivated individual to lead our Pathology Support Unit (PSU) and support the delivery of high-quality diagnostic services across the Trust.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys leading teams, improving services, and ensuring operational excellence in a busy healthcare environment.
The post holder will manage pathology reception, phlebotomy services, and referral testing processes, ensuring these services operate efficiently and provide a responsive interface between clinical users and the laboratory. You will lead a team of Healthcare Science Assistants and Phlebotomy staff and contribute to the continued development of an integrated and effective pathology support service.
The successful candidate will play a key role in strengthening the Pathology Support Unit, ensuring specimen reception, referral testing and phlebotomy services operate as a coordinated, efficient and patient-focused service that supports the wider laboratory and clinical teams.
Interview date: w/c 13 April 2026
Please note that we are not able to offer sponsorship for this role
Main duties of the job
'They feel supported in their employers making reasonable adjustments to help them carry out their work, rating an 82.9%.' NHS Staff Survey 2024
We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute'
This role requires the holder to be the lead for the Pathology Support Unit (PSU) including managing the staff and processes within it. The post holder will establish the pathology reception area as a functional interface between the users and laboratory. The post involves participation in and organisation of training and supervision of staff. The post holder will:
o manage change in the ways that the sample reception service is provided to improve that service, including creating a single cohesive unit.o manage the referral process of all Blood Science specimens requiring specialised analysis, assists in monitoring reference supplier performance and management of the receipt of those results facilitating post analytical activity for referred investigations.
PSU is also responsible for the pathology facilitated phlebotomy service to Acute Trust clinical locations.
The Pathology Support Manager is responsible for delivery of this service to ensure it is responsive to clinical requirements within budgetary constraints; monitor phlebotomy activity and staff performance; produce reports providing assurance of service delivery and that lead to service improvement.
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
Key working relationships
InternallyPerform role under direction of Blood Science Manager and work independently in their absence.Provide leadership to all staff teams within PSU/Phlebotomy
ExternallyCommunicate with GP Practice Managers and CCG personnel to provide a responsive service. Deliver presentations if required.Liaise with Referral Laboratory suppliers to ensure an appropriate service is received.
Develop a fully integrated pathology reception service, providing a single first point of contact for all pathology service users.Manage the change required to move from separate receptions employing staff from different departments to a single section and workforce, including establishing and maintaining rotas and work processes to ensure an efficient service
Provide professional advice and expertise within the scope of service of the Pathology Support Unit. Communication and education of laboratory policies to staff and users. Ensure the communication of problem samples to clinicians and/or senior colleagues. Communicate with the users and other support services to facilitate the pre and post analytical phases of the laboratory service. Ensure service users have access to and comply with guidance regarding patient safety, specimen collection, integrity and transport leading to Getting it Right First Time (GIRFT) in patient care.
Please refer to the Job Description for further details
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key working relationships
InternallyPerform role under direction of Blood Science Manager and work independently in their absence.Provide leadership to all staff teams within PSU/Phlebotomy
ExternallyCommunicate with GP Practice Managers and CCG personnel to provide a responsive service. Deliver presentations if required.Liaise with Referral Laboratory suppliers to ensure an appropriate service is received.
Develop a fully integrated pathology reception service, providing a single first point of contact for all pathology service users.Manage the change required to move from separate receptions employing staff from different departments to a single section and workforce, including establishing and maintaining rotas and work processes to ensure an efficient service
Provide professional advice and expertise within the scope of service of the Pathology Support Unit. Communication and education of laboratory policies to staff and users. Ensure the communication of problem samples to clinicians and/or senior colleagues. Communicate with the users and other support services to facilitate the pre and post analytical phases of the laboratory service. Ensure service users have access to and comply with guidance regarding patient safety, specimen collection, integrity and transport leading to Getting it Right First Time (GIRFT) in patient care.
Please refer to the Job Description for further details
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of specialist healthcare science activities
- Educated to Master's Degree or equivalent level (Level 7) in relevant subject matter (e.g. Science) or knowledge acquired through training to an equivalent level
- Knowledge of Microsoft 365 Business Applications
- Health and safety legislation/procedures
- Understanding of Clinical Governance and its implications for service, quality and audit
- Knowledge Risk Management strategy
- The role of Pathology in an NHS Foundation Trust
- Knowledge of Change Management
- Awareness of the clinical implications of pre analytical errors
Desirable
- Management qualification e.g. IBMS Cert of Expert Practice in Leadership & Management
- oUnderstanding of all areas of the pathology service
Experience
Essential
- Line Management including team leading, absence management, Annual Joint Review & PDRs, staff rostering
- Experience of specialist and routine science activity in healthcare laboratories
- Use of Microsoft 365 Business Applications
- Success in working collaboratively across professions and services
- Use of laboratory information system (LIMS), EPR/NPEX order comms system development
- Demonstrable success in planning and managing change
- Investigating/Managing complaints and/or incidents
- Self-Inspection in an auditor role at a standard required by Medical Laboratory accreditation.
- Training & Competency assessment of staff.
- Risk/COSHH assessment
- Equipment maintenance & record keeping
- QMS tool (i.e. QPULSE) document, Incident, Asset and Training management
Desirable
- Project management
- Managing/monitoring supplier performance
Skills
Essential
- Able to work both in a team and as an individual with and without direction
- Leadership
- Organisational - manage competing priorities. Ability to multitask
- Ability to work in an organised manner and to high standards
- Ability to work with a high level of accuracy and precision
- The ability to problem solve and troubleshoot
- Budget and resource management
- Keyboard/VDU skills
- Dexterous and good hand/eye coordination
Desirable
Personal and people development
Essential
- Recruitment and selection procedures
- Probationary procedures
- Staff appraisal AJR/PDR
- Training strategy development
- Sickness absence management
- The ability to problem solve and troubleshoot
Desirable
- Performance/capability management
Communication
Essential
- Presentation skills
- Good verbal & written communication in English
- Report and SOP writing
- Customer service skills
- Effective meeting Chair
Desirable
- Performance/capability management
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
- Able to perform all necessary PSU roles required
- Able to support 7day laboratory service during unsocial hours if required
- Able to work 12 hours shifts if required
- Able to work both within a team and as a lone worker
Desirable
- Performance/capability management
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of specialist healthcare science activities
- Educated to Master's Degree or equivalent level (Level 7) in relevant subject matter (e.g. Science) or knowledge acquired through training to an equivalent level
- Knowledge of Microsoft 365 Business Applications
- Health and safety legislation/procedures
- Understanding of Clinical Governance and its implications for service, quality and audit
- Knowledge Risk Management strategy
- The role of Pathology in an NHS Foundation Trust
- Knowledge of Change Management
- Awareness of the clinical implications of pre analytical errors
Desirable
- Management qualification e.g. IBMS Cert of Expert Practice in Leadership & Management
- oUnderstanding of all areas of the pathology service
Experience
Essential
- Line Management including team leading, absence management, Annual Joint Review & PDRs, staff rostering
- Experience of specialist and routine science activity in healthcare laboratories
- Use of Microsoft 365 Business Applications
- Success in working collaboratively across professions and services
- Use of laboratory information system (LIMS), EPR/NPEX order comms system development
- Demonstrable success in planning and managing change
- Investigating/Managing complaints and/or incidents
- Self-Inspection in an auditor role at a standard required by Medical Laboratory accreditation.
- Training & Competency assessment of staff.
- Risk/COSHH assessment
- Equipment maintenance & record keeping
- QMS tool (i.e. QPULSE) document, Incident, Asset and Training management
Desirable
- Project management
- Managing/monitoring supplier performance
Skills
Essential
- Able to work both in a team and as an individual with and without direction
- Leadership
- Organisational - manage competing priorities. Ability to multitask
- Ability to work in an organised manner and to high standards
- Ability to work with a high level of accuracy and precision
- The ability to problem solve and troubleshoot
- Budget and resource management
- Keyboard/VDU skills
- Dexterous and good hand/eye coordination
Desirable
Personal and people development
Essential
- Recruitment and selection procedures
- Probationary procedures
- Staff appraisal AJR/PDR
- Training strategy development
- Sickness absence management
- The ability to problem solve and troubleshoot
Desirable
- Performance/capability management
Communication
Essential
- Presentation skills
- Good verbal & written communication in English
- Report and SOP writing
- Customer service skills
- Effective meeting Chair
Desirable
- Performance/capability management
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
- Able to perform all necessary PSU roles required
- Able to support 7day laboratory service during unsocial hours if required
- Able to work 12 hours shifts if required
- Able to work both within a team and as a lone worker
Desirable
- Performance/capability management
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.
