Specialist Biomedical Scientist
Department: Cellular Pathology
Band 6: £39,959 - £48,117 per annum, pro rata
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, full time, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
IMPORTANT: Suitable candidates must be HCPC registered, possess a BSc in Biomedical Science and have completed the IBMS Specialist Portfolio in Cellular Pathology.

The Cellular Pathology department at #TeamMKUH have recently had a business case approved to expand our workforce due to our popular and growing services. As the demand for pathology services increases, we are investing in our workforce, welcoming talented Biomedical Scientists, Assistant Technician Officers, administrator staff and other registered healthcare professionals who bring fresh expertise and innovation to the department.

The Cellular Pathology department are seeking to recruit two enthusiastic, proactive, and experienced individuals to take up the posts of Specialist Biomedical Scientists in our professional and friendly team.

We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute

Interview date: Tuesday 4th of August 2026

Main duties of the job
If successful, you will be key members of the Cellular Pathology team participating in routine and specialist duties that enable the day-to-day operational delivery of the Cellular Pathology service.

We need you to be professional with strong technical and troubleshooting skills, and the ability to communicate confidently and effectively. Additionally, you will work as part of a team of scientific and support staff to deliver a diagnostic service that meets accreditation and regulatory requirements to deliver safe, effective patient care.

The post holder will be part of a team of Biomedical Scientists delivering a diagnostic service analysing and reporting on blood, urine, faeces and other materials to achieve the objectives of efficient and effective patient care, and effective resource management within the hospital.

The post holder will undertake their responsibilities within the Chemical Pathology department to meet all required national and Trust standards.

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. The laboratory is also an IBMS training laboratory.

About us
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.

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For further information about Milton Keynes please visit - Visit Milton Keynes

Job responsibilities
NHS Survey, 2024. Healthcare Scientists feels their health safety and wellbeing is support at work.

• To provide a high quality, responsive and comprehensive Cellular Pathology service for the trust and its users.
• To work as part of a team of Biomedical Scientists and support workers, using extensive specialist knowledge and expertise to assist in the provision of all aspects of a Cellular Pathology service.
• Have knowledge and experience of ISO 15189 standards and quality management systems.
• Prioritise clinically urgent and 2WW cases and maintain the workflow of all cases through the lab to meet turnaround times in line with departmental KPIs.
• To undertake all activity appropriate to the role to support the Pathology Quality Management System, including the use of QPulse for the production, maintenance, and update of departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in accordance with the laboratory quality manual.
• With suitable training participate in quality audits as required and suggest and implement quality improvements as required.
• To use experience, knowledge, and judgement to make decisions on laboratory results. To interpret complex multifactorial results and take appropriate actions in line with laboratory procedures. e.g., microscopic crystal analysis and reporting of synovial fluid aspirates.
• Safe use of laboratory equipment, in accordance with SOPs to support production of tissue blocks and slides to enable diagnostic reporting and delivery of a timely and efficient Cellular Pathology service. This will include tissue processors, embedding stations, microtomes, staining machines, IHC platforms, microscopes and digital scanners.

Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential

• HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist
• BSc Biomedical Science or equivalent qualification
• Specialist Portfolio or equivalent
• Specialist scientific knowledge in Cellular Pathology to underpin the technical aspects of service delivery.
• Understanding of ISO 15189 standards for medical laboratories
• Knowledge and understanding of quality assurance.
• Knowledge of professional Health and safety regulations
• Evidence of relevant continued professional development

Desirable

• Awareness of wider NHS/Pathology initiatives

Experience
Essential

• Experience as a HCPC registered BMS in Cellular Pathology
• Extensive experience of routine and specialist histology procedures to include immunohistochemistry.
• Work within scope and limitation of practice.
• Equipment maintenance and troubleshooting.
• Experience of using a LIMS
• Experience of quality management

Desirable

• Staff training and competency assessment

Skills
Essential

• 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.
• Technical and scientific troubleshooting skills

Desirable

• Teaching skills
• Use of QMS tools e.g., QPulse

Personal and people development
Essential

• Ability to work independently 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
• Demonstrate reliability and commitment

Desirable

• Forward thinking

Communication
Essential

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

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration.