Assistant Technical Officer
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Milton Keynes, MK6 5LDView on map(opens Google Maps in a new tab)
Salary
£25,760 to £27,476
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Not specified
Closing date
29 October 2026
10 days leftJob description
Assistant Technical Officer (ATO) Department: Cellular Pathology Band 3 £25,760 - £27,476 per annum Hours: 37.5 per week, all MKUH roles will be consi...
The successful candidate 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.
- 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.
The successful candidate will participate in core laboratory duties including receiving and processing patients samples, data entry, assisting at tissue dissection, equipment operation and maintenance, managing laboratory waste disposal, digital scanning of slides, referrals to specialist centres and microtomy among other tasks. Training will be given to achieve competency.
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.
- To establish effective and collaborative working relationships with key staff.
- To organise and prioritise your daily duties in the provision of a quality service.
- To be accountable for your actions and maintain high personal standards of work.
- Work in a safe manner in accordance with department and trust health and safety and risk management policies.
- To maintain a high standard of confidentiality and always comply with relevant Trust policies.
- Perform requested tests in accordance with laboratory Standard Operating Procedures.
Please refer to the Job Description for further details.
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. We have just opened the Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards.
Further investment is underway, including the recently approved Women and Children's Centre, set to open by 2030.
Visit our website to explore the latest news and opportunities at MKUH - News - Milton Keynes University Hospital -
For further information about Milton Keynes please visit - Visit Milton Keynes
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Science, English and Maths GCSEs at C or above (or equivalent)
- NVQ level 3 or equivalent level qualification
- Basic computer skills
- Knowledge of importance of confidentiality
Desirable: - Qualifications with a laboratory relevance; - Knowledge of anatomical / medical terminology
Experience
Desirable
- NHS experience
- Experience of working in a health care environment
- Experience of working in a laboratory
- Experience of data entry into information management systems
Skills
Essential
- Possess excellent communication skills - communicate effectively and sensitively
- Follow detailed protocols and procedures.
- Good time management skills with an ability to prioritise
- Good use of initiative
- Well developed organisational skills
- Good people skills
- Effective team worker
- Ability to work under pressure
Desirable: - Ability to prioritise and manage conflicting priorities.
Personal and people development
Essential
- Work on own or as part of a team.
- Be confident, diplomatic and have personal & professional maturity.
- Be enthusiastic.
- Polite and courteous
- Be self-motivated and patient focused.
- Initiative and common sense
- Willing to learn
Desirable: - Commitment to personal development
Communication
Essential: - Clear, accurate written and verbal communication; - Effective listening skills; - Good interpersonal skills.; - Participate in departmental meetings
Specific requirements
Essential
- To perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
- Demonstrate reliability and commitment
- To carry out the lifting and handling requirements of the post
How to apply
Applications are handled entirely by the employer on the original advert. We do not collect CVs, supporting statements or application data.
Provenance
Source
NHS Jobs
First seen
15 October 2026
Last checked
16 October 2026
Salary, closing date and description are taken from the employer's advert. The original advert always takes precedence.
About the employer
NHS organisation
This listing was structured from NHS Jobs. Vacancy details and the application process remain the responsibility of the original source.
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