Associate Practitioner

Job overview

Associate Practitioner Fixed Term until 31/03/2025

Department: Cellular Pathology

Band 4 £26,530 - £29,114 Per annum, pro rata if part-time

Hours: 37.5 per week, 3 posts available, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working

Cellular Pathology is a busy but friendly department processing more than 21,000 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 'can do' attitude and willing to learn new skills to join our team on a fixed term basis to support the accelerated implementation of digital pathology.

The successful candidates will ideally have some previous Cellular Pathology laboratory experience. They will participate in core duties within the laboratory including receiving and processing patient samples among other tasks. Training will be given where necessary but as the posts are fixed term contracts, not all aspects of the job role will be covered.

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 / equivalent laboratory experience. In addition to this, you must be able to communicate confidently and effectively, enjoy working individually or in a team to deliver effective patient care.

For more information, please contact Amanda Brice, Laboratory Manager or Marie Delaney, Operational Manager on

Interview date: 22nd November 2024

Main duties of the job

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 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.

Assist with training and education activity.

Working for our organisation

'A staggering 93% of colleagues in the Additional Clinical Services Group feel trusted to do their job and always know their responsibilities. ' (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 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

Main duties and responsibilities

Communication and Relationship Skills

Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Liaise closely with departmental technical, administrative, and clinical staff to ensure that all technical work is performed to required standards.

Core Responsibilities

To establish effective and collaborative working relationships with key staff.

To organise your daily duties in the provision of a quality service.

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

• Minimum of five GCSEs (A-C) including English, mathematics, and a science subject
• Level 3 qualification (A-level equivalent) in a science subject OR NVQ3 or equivalent experience in relevant discipline
• Basic to intermediate computer skills
• Knowledge of importance of confidentiality

Desirable criteria

• Foundation degree or degree in Biomedical Science or accredited degree
• Knowledge of anatomical / medical terminology

Experience Essential criteria

• Experience of working in a hospital Cellular Pathology laboratory.
• Equipment maintenance and troubleshooting.
• Staff training and competency assessment
• Experience of using a LIMS

Desirable criteria

• Experience of quality management

Skills Essential criteria

• Possess excellent practical skills.
• Ability to prioritise and manage conflicting priorities and complete tasks within given timeframes.
• Effective team worker
• Good communication and organizational skills
• Proficient IT skills including the use of MS Office software.

Desirable criteria

• Teaching skills
• Technical and scientific troubleshooting skills
• Use of QMS tools e.g., QPulse

Personal and people development Essential criteria

• Ability to work independently under own initiative and as part of a team
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Be confident, diplomatic and have personal & professional maturity.
• Self-motivated and patient focused
• Flexible approach
• Enthusiastic
• Forward thinking
• Demonstrate reliability and commitment.

Communication Essential criteria

• Good communication skills including a clear command of written and spoken English.
• Effective listening skills
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Participate in departmental meetings