Job summary
- Main area
- Medical Microbiology
- Grade
- Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Job ref
- 430-CC25-436A
- Employer
- Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Microbiology (Dept)
- Town
- Milton Keynes
- Salary
- £24,937 - £26,598 Per annum, pro rata if part-time
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 04/11/2025 23:59
- Interview date
- 17/11/2025
Employer heading
Assistant Technical Officer
Band 3
At Milton Keynes University Hospital, you will be welcomed into a friendly and supportive environment where teamwork and respect are at the heart of everything we do. We are proud to live our Trust values and behaviours every day, creating a culture where everyone feels heard and valued.
MKUH staff's Motivation and Involvement scores are among the highest in our peer group, showing that our people feel inspired and included in decision-making (Staff Survey, 2024).
Our benefits
We believe in recognising and rewarding the amazing contribution of our staff and that is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your wellbeing, work-life balance, and professional growth, including:
- Free on-site parking including EV charging
- Complimentary refreshments
- Flexible working arrangements
- Discounted gym membership
- Salary sacrifice car scheme
- Generous annual leave, with the option to bank holiday entitlement
- Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme
- On-site nursery (charges apply)
- A wide-ranging staff health and wellbeing programme including EAP
- VIVUP products to support your mental, physical, and financial Wellbeing
Job overview
Assistant Technical Officer
Department of Microbiology
Band 3 £24,937 - £26,598 Per annum, pro rata if part-time
Hours 37.5 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
Our Microbiology is a busy but friendly department processing over 220,000 specimens per year.
We are looking for a competent and versatile individual with a ‘can do’ attitude willing to learn new skills to join our team.
The successful candidate will participate in core laboratory duties, including receiving and processing patient samples, equipment maintenance, stock management, media and supply handling, answering telephone calls, and managing laboratory waste disposal, among other tasks.
Ideally, you will have GCSEs in Science, Maths, and English (grades A - C), or an NVQ level 3 in Pathology or equivalent clinical laboratory experience. In addition to this, you must also have good communication skills, enjoy working individually or in a team and are physically fit and well (the role requires some lifting and handling tasks).
Please note that we are not able to offer sponsorship for this role.
For more information, please contact Rizalea Echaluse, Chief Biomedical Scientist & Operations Manager on 01908 995781.
Main duties of the job
'We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute'
To be part of a team of Biomedical Support workers delivering technical, administrative, and clerical support services which ensure reliable, efficient, and effective service. Analysing and reporting on, blood, swabs, urines, faeces, and other clinical samples in the preparatory stages of microbiological analyses.
The post holder will communicate clearly and accurately with laboratory staff, clinicians, and work within any section of the microbiology department. Must carry out all duties in compliance with relevant national standards in line with Trust’s Data Protection Act policy.
Initial training will be provided to cover all sections of the lab including the waste management section, autoclaves, and handling deliveries/supplies.
In addition to working core hours, the post holder will be required to participate in the evening, weekend, bank holiday & night shifts (proposal under discussion) as part of their contractual hours.
Working for our organisation
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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Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Technical
• Perform requested tests in accordance with laboratory Standard operational procedures (SOP’s).
• Operate, clean, and maintain all automated analysers, incubators and, safety cabinets (including air-flow checks) in accordance with Health and Safety policy on daily and weekly basis.
Laboratory informatics
• To comply with local and national policies for the safe, secure, and confidential processing and storage of patient and other laboratory information.
• Collect, receive, match, verify, label, and enter on as computer sample requests. Identify any errors for action e.g., mislabelled other failures of sample matching criteria. Report and record in accordance with standard operating procedure.
Administrative
• To participate in effective stock control of reagents and consumables, by keeping a check on supplies and informing senior staff when orders must be placed.
• Organise daily duties in the provision of a quality service.
General
• Collect samples from pathology support area, wards and other departments if required.
• Clean and maintain equipment and work areas.
Please refer to the Job Description for further details
Person specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential criteria
- GCSEs in Science, Maths and English or NVQ L3 in Pathology or equivalent experience
Desirable criteria
- Foundation Science degree or equivalent
Experience
Essential criteria
- Previous experience working in a UK laboratory
Desirable criteria
- Previous experience working in an NHS laboratory
Skills
Essential criteria
- Good communication/interpersonal skill
- Ability to keep accurate records.
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of manual handling and Health and Safety regulations.
Personal and people development
Essential criteria
- Demonstrate: Ability to work individually/in a team
- Demonstrate: Ability to work under pressure
Desirable criteria
- Demonstrate: Experience as a team leader
Communication
Essential criteria
- Clear and accurate written and verbal communication at all levels of the organisation
- Understandind/awareness of Data Protection Act
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Rizalea Echaluse
- Job title
- Chief Biomedical Scientist
- Email address
- [email protected]
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