Phlebotomist

NHS; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK university teaching hospital is seeking a Phlebotomist to join the Blood Science team. In this role, you'll manage timely sample collection, ensuring patient safety and compliance with quality standards. The position involves flexible hours, including some weekends and bank holidays. You will collaborate with colleagues to deliver quality service and assist inquiries. Experience in venepuncture in a hospital setting is essential, alongside relevant qualifications. Competitive salary offered between £24,937 to £26,598 per annum, pro rata.

Qualifications

• Significant venepuncture experience in a hospital setting.
• Previous usage of a Hospital EPR system.
• Proficiency in Excel and able to work flexibly.

Responsibilities

• Perform venepuncture on patients as requested.
• Prioritise phlebotomy to maintain patient treatment and discharge.
• Maintain a professional approach to patients at all times.

Skills

Follow written and verbal instructions

Good practical skills

Organised

Work under pressure

Effective team worker

Education

NVQ 3 or equivalent

English and Maths GCSE or equivalent

Tools

Hospital EPR system

Excel

Job description

Phlebotomist

Closing date: 22 January 2026

Hours: 24 hours per week, with flexible working options.

Join the Blood Science team in our busy Pathology service. As a Phlebotomist you will play a key role in timely sample collection and delivery while maintaining patient safety and meeting ISO 15189:2012 quality standards. You will work core and out‑of‑core hours, weekends and bank holidays for salary enhancement.

Collaborate with colleagues across Pathology and the organisation to deliver a patient‑focused service.

We do not offer sponsorship.

Contact: Rachel Mason, Pathology Support Unit Manager, [e-mail], Tel: [phone]

Interview date: 29 January 2026

Main duties of the job

To take samples in a timely manner from patients in MKUH administered locations. Ensuring correct process is followed to ensure sample viability for analysis and integrity of patient identity.

To ensure samples are available to the laboratory for timely analysis and presented in a condition suitable for analysis and thus help with the diagnosis, treatment and discharge of patients. To provide information and assist with enquiries as and when required.

Work according to Trust policies departmental SOP's (standard operating procedures) in the provision of a quality service.

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.

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.

Job responsibilities

1. Perform venepuncture on patients as requested and in accordance with the policies of Milton Keynes University Hospital.
2. Perform venepuncture on patients with complex comorbidity, limited venous access and in receipt of care in acute and non‑acute care settings.
3. Perform phlebotomy in challenging environments with competing priorities, limitations on patient access and to anxious/distressed patients.
4. Prioritise phlebotomy to patients necessary to maintain patient treatment, patient flow and discharge.
5. Perform venepuncture and specimen collection for specific R&D clinical trials activity as instructed.
6. Visit designated areas of the hospital and/or locations where MKUH services are delivered to perform venepuncture on patients as requested, ensuring these samples are mixed and labelled with due care and attention.
7. Maintain a professional approach to work and be courteous and polite to patients at all times.
8. Demonstrate advanced communication skills in obtaining informed consent from patients of variable cognitive ability.
9. Communicate clearly to all patients whilst obtaining blood samples, providing reassurance where patients are anxious. There may be barriers to understanding when patients do not speak English or when obtaining bloods from adults with learning difficulties or dementia.

Please refer to the job description for further details.

Person Specification

Qualifications and knowledge

• NVQ 3 or equivalent qualification or equivalent experience
• English and Maths GCSE or equivalent
• Computer literate, proficient in use of Excel

Experience

• Significant venepuncture experience in a hospital setting.
• Previous use of a Hospital EPR system
• Previous hospital experience

Skills

• Able to follow written and verbal instructions implicitly
• Good practical skills, dextrous
• Well organised
• Able to work flexibly to meet the requirements of the post
• Able to work well under pressure in a busy environment
• Effective Team Worker

Personal and people development

• Confident, pleasant and understanding towards patients.
• Able to work well under pressure

Communication

• Good communication skills both verbal and written
• Able to reason and persuade patient
• Able to explain processes

Specific requirements

• Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
• Ability to train new members of staff

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.

Employer name

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

£24,937 to £26,598 per annum, pro rata