Job overview

Assistant Technical Officer (ATO)

Department Cellular Pathology 

Band 3  £24,937 - £26,598 per annum, pro rata

Hours 18.75 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible  working

Cellular Pathology is a busy but friendly department processing more than 22,000 histology specimens and 1200 cytology specimens per year and plays a vital role in the Trust’s diagnostics cancer service.

We are looking for competent and versatile individuals with a positive ‘can do’ attitude who are willing to learn new skills to join our team in the role of Assistant Technical Officer (ATO)

The successful candidates will participate in core laboratory duties including receiving and processing patient’s samples, data entry, assisting at tissue dissection, equipment operation and maintenance, managing laboratory waste disposal and microtomy among other tasks. Training will be given to achieve competency. 

Ideally you will have GCSEs in Science, Maths, and English, and/or an NVQ level 3 or equivalent level qualification or qualifications with a laboratory relevance. In addition to this, you must also have good verbal and written communication skills, have basic IT skills, enjoy working individually and as part of a team and be able to manage some lifting and handling tasks.

Please note that we are not able to offer sponsorship for this role.

For more information please contact Amanda Brice, the Laboratory Manager or Marie Delaney, Operational Manager/Chief Biomedical Scientist on 01908 995820

Main duties of the job

'We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute'

•    To support the delivery of a high quality, responsive and comprehensive Cellular Pathology service for the trust and its users. 

•    To be part of a team of Biomedical Support workers delivering technical and administrative support to ensure the provision of an efficient and effective diagnostic service. 

•    To work with the laboratory management and technical team to ensure compliance with regulatory standards including those of ISO 15189, the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) and screening programmes.

•    Help the Cellular Pathology team to meet departmental and trust KPI’s.

•    To work safely in accordance with trust health and safety policy and departmental policies to deliver a safe, high-quality service for its users.  

•    To comply with clinical governance and risk management policies and ensure all mandatory training is completed in accordance with the trust guidelines

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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