Job summary
- Main area
- General Pathology
- Grade
- Band 5
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 430-CC25-284A
- Employer
- Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- General Pathology (Dept)
- Town
- Milton Keynes
- Salary
- £31,049 - £37,796 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 13/08/2025 23:59
- Interview date
- 20/08/2025
Employer heading
Rotational Biomedical Scientist - Point of Care Testing
Band 5
MKUH staff scored highest for ‘I look forward to coming to work’ (NHS Staff Survey 2023).
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 refreshments
- Great flexible working opportunities
- 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 overview
Rotational Biomedical Scientist - Point of Care Testing
Department: Pathology - Blood Science (POCT)
Band 5: £31,049 - £37,796 per annum
Full-time: 37.5 hours per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
The Point of Care Testing (POCT) Team, part of the Pathology Department at MKUH, are seeking an engaging & enthusiastic Biomedical Scientists to help support the service we provide to the wards & other clinical areas throughout the Trust, including community-based projects. Amongst other tasks the post holder will aid with the following:
- Manage 200+ POCT devices throughout the Trust, ensuring they are regularly maintained, serviced and repaired when needed.
- Run control checks (IQC and EQA) as required and review results.
- Provide user training to clinical staff using the devices for patient testing.
- Carry out regular audits on the POCT services and equipment currently in use.
- Aid POCT in meeting ISO 15189 standards.
Pathology services operate 24/7 and as such there will be a need for contractual hours to be worked across a 7-day period.
Further details can be found in the job description but if you have further questions or would like to arrange an informal visit please contact Phill Dickson, POCT Coordinator at [email protected]
Interview date: 20.08.2025
Main duties of the job
This is a new role and will involve rotation through Point of Care Testing and Blood Sciences laboratories. There are therefore 2 elements to the job description, Part A as the Biomedical Scientist role in POCT & Part B – as the Biomedical Scientist role in Chemical Pathology.
It is envisaged that the rotation period will be 6 monthly, but this will be subject to service demands.
You will be part of a team delivering Point of Care Testing Services, maintaining devices, training staff in their use & providing the necessary support required to achieve the objectives of efficient & effective patient care, & effective resource management within the hospital. You will be expected to use their specialist knowledge to ensure that the quality of service provided by the department meets the highest possible standards. (Rotation A).
You will be part of a team of Biomedical Scientists delivering a diagnostic service analysing and reporting on blood, urine, faeces and other materials to achieve the objectives of efficient and effective patient care, and effective resource management within the hospital. (Rotation B)
You will undertake their responsibilities within the Pathology department to meet all required national and Trust standards. They will be required to work both alone and as part of a departmental team. To attend departmental and other meetings as required and attend external training and educational courses when required, i.e. instrument troubleshooting and repair.
Working for our organisation
"We Care We Communicate We Collaborate We Contribute"
"80% of this group reported that their managers actively encourage them at work, supporting a team working environment" (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 working opportunities
- 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.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
You will periodically rotate into the blood sciences laboratory. There they will assist in the delivery of a diagnostic service analysing blood, urine, faeces and other materials to achieve the objectives of efficient and effective patient care, and effective resource management within the hospital. This includes taking part in out of hours work.
POCT Department (Rotation A):
- To organise and liaise with the rest of the Point of Care Team, daily duties, duties out of the Department, and cover for absences within the Team, and the organisation of own work patterns.
Chemical Pathology (Rotation B):
- To operate in a professional manner in compliance with the professional codes of conduct (IBMS).
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 criteria
- HCPC State Registration
- BSc Biomedical Science or equivalent qualification
- Evidence of relevant continued professional development.
Desirable criteria
- Understanding of quality assurance
- Understanding of accreditation standards (ISO 15189)
Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience as a BMS in a chemical pathology laboratory
Desirable criteria
- Participation in out of hours service.
- Understanding of Quality Assurance
- Experience working in a POCT role
Skills
Essential criteria
- Effective team worker.
- Knowledge of Health and Safety considerations
- Ability to operate, maintain and calibrate complex equipment
- Competent at analyser troubleshooting.
- Ability to work accurately at a rate of output appropriate to a diagnostic laboratory
- Good manual dexterity to undertake automated, manual and specialised techniques.
Desirable criteria
- Familiarity with Laboratory IT systems and Quality management processes
Personal and people development
Essential criteria
- Ability to work on one’s own and as part of a team.
- Ability to work under pressure.
- Flexible approach to help meet the demands of the service
- IT literate
Desirable criteria
- Proactive outlook
Communication
Essential criteria
- Good communication skills including a clear command of written and spoken English.
Specific requirements
Essential criteria
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations.
- Ability to work unsocial hours as a lone worker as required.
- Able to work off site and has valid driver’s licences and means of transportation.
Desirable criteria
- Confident and comfortable working in acute areas of the hospital, you may be exposed to potentially upsetting clinical events.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Phill Dickson
- Job title
- POCT Coordinator
- Email address
- [email protected]
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