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Job summary

Main area
Phlebotomy
Grade
Band 3
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
430-CC27205B-A
Employer
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
General Pathology (Dept)
Town
Milton Keynes
Salary
£24,625 - £25,674 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
03/07/2025 23:59
Interview date
11/07/2025

Employer heading

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust logo

Senior Pathology Healthcare Science Assistant & Phlebotomist

Band 3

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

Senior Pathology Healthcare Science Assistant & Phlebotomist

Department: Pathology - Blood Science (Pathology Support)  

Band 3: £24,625 - £25,674 per annum

Full-time 37.5 hours per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working

Pathology and Blood Sciences have had major investment in new equipment and refurbishment. We are committed to the quality of service we provide our patients and users and were recently awarded ISO 15189 accreditation for Haematology/Blood Transfusion and Chemistry repertoires.

Here at MKUH, we have committed leadership who engage our staff, listen to innovative ideas and involve our people in the challenges and improvements that our organisation faces. Continuing professional and personal development is encouraged and supported. We provide a comprehensive 24/7 service which staff support through flexible rostering. 

Applications are invited to join the Pathology Support Unit of Blood Sciences as a Senior Pathology Healthcare Science Assistant & Phlebotomist within a team of dedicated healthcare professionals to deliver a high quality service that is responsive to patient requirements. 

For further information, please contact Jonathan Popoola - Deputy PSU Manager at [email protected] or Rachel Mason - PSU Manager at [email protected] on 01908 995769.

Interview date: 11.07.2025

Main duties of the job

You will be a key member of the PSU team providing support services to departments analysing and reporting on, blood, urine, faeces and other materials to achieve the objectives of efficient and effective patient care. You will also be a key member of the Pathology Phlebotomy team, delivering training in phlebotomy process. You will be required to deliver a service that meets the quality standards of ISO 151889 and participate in work patterns that support our 24/7 service.

  • To provide a timely and caring phlebotomy service to the wards of Milton Keynes University Hospital and thus helping with the diagnosis and discharge of patients. 
  • To process samples within the laboratory in a timely manner and thus help with the diagnosis and discharge of patients. To provide information and assist with enquiries as and when required.
  • Work according to departmental SOP’s (standard operating procedures) in the provision of a quality service.
  • To provide essential pre-analytical management of pathology specimens and requests to maintain workflow to specialist laboratory services for timely analysis.
  • To provide assistance to both patients and clinical staff using the pathology service.
  • To manage deliveries of patient material, consumables, reagents and mail.
  • To provide this role over a 7 day working pattern and support delivery of a 24/7 pathology service.

Working for our organisation

"We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute"

 

"Our staff scored Autonomy and Control at 7.19, well above the national average. Here, you're trusted to lead, innovate and shape your work"  (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

  • Perform venepuncture on patients as requested and in accordance with the policies of Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
  • Visit designated areas of the hospital to collect blood samples.
  • Mix and label these specimens with due care and attention.
  • Be courteous and polite to patients at all times.

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
  • Level 3 qualification i.e. A level in Maths and/or Science. In the absence of this Level 2 qualification i.e. GCSE in Maths, Science or English with experience in Healthcare Science.
  • Knowledge and understanding of Microsoft Office applications
  • Knowledge of Manual Handling and Health & Safety legislation
  • Knowledge of ISO 15189 Standards for Medical laboratories
  • Knowledge of Data Protection Action and GDPR
Desirable criteria
  • Level 4 Science based qualification i.e HND or first part Foundation Degree

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience in Healthcare and/or Healthcare Science
  • Experience using with Laboratory Information Systems
  • Customer Service/Care experience
  • Experience in venepuncture
Desirable criteria
  • Experience in NHS Healthcare Science
  • Experience in leading teams

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Record Keeping skills
  • Good Organisational skills
  • Methodical and accurate approach to tasks
  • Venepuncture skills
  • Good practical skills, dexterous, hand & eye coordination
  • Training Skills
  • Able to work under pressure in a busy environment
  • Effective team player

Personal and people development

Essential criteria
  • Ability to work individually and in a team
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Ability to manage conflict
  • Ability to train other staff

Communication

Essential criteria
  • Clear and accurate written and verbal use of English communication at all levels of the organisation
  • Good Telephone ability
  • Ability to apply principles of GDPR
  • Able to reassure patients with differing cognitive ability

Specific requirements

Essential criteria
  • Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
  • Physically able and mobile
  • Able to work 7 day pattern between 0845-2100
  • Flexible to changing service requirements
  • Able to train new member of staff

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoHSJ Best places to workCare quality commission - GoodArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardDisability confident employer

Applicant requirements

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

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Rachel Mason
Job title
PSU Manager
Email address
[email protected]
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