Job summary
The Histopathology Departmenthas recently moved toa brand new, state-of-the-artfacilityand weare looking to expandourteam.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual to join the Histopathology Department in the role of an Associate Practitioner.
Cambridge University Hospitals Histopathology department is one of the largest in the country with over 130 non-medical staff supporting over 50 consultant histopathologists. There is site specificreportingand we support many regional and national programmes. We are looking for people who have a desire for pushing the boundaries of current practice and want to join in a transformational programme of work which will involve adoption of new and innovative technologies and work practices.We have already adopted digital pathology and are looking to capitalise on the opportunities it offers. The department prides itself on staff development and offers many training and education opportunities for staff of all grades.
A strong commitment to personal and professional development and teamwork are all essential for this post. In return, you will be welcomed into a developing team as a key valued member, with opportunities for professional development and experience.
Main duties of the job
Performs a range of routine healthcare science activities under supervision, whilst supporting junior members of staff including specimen collection and receipt, specimen preparation including assisting pathologists at cut-up, embedding and microtomy of surgical tissue, slide collation, specimen storage and maintenance of equipment.
Maintains clinical and maintenance records in relation to activities carried out.
Demonstrate own duties to new or less experienced employees.
To work flexibly in reflection of service needs this may include an extended working day and/or participation in delivery of a 24 hour, 7 days per week service.
The work of the service brings staff into constant contact with human body fluids, tissues and hazardous chemicals. This may include urine, faeces, and respiratory secretions.
NB: Post holder must not work outside their defined field of competence
About us
Our Trust
Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke's Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people - patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing 'outstanding' care to our patients and rated 'Good' overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testament to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH's values - Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent - are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave. The Trust provides accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population.
CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people's age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.
Details
Date posted
16 February 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 4
Salary
£27,485 to £30,162 a year p.a. pro rata
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Flexible working, Compressed hours
Reference number
180-B-264049
Job locations
Addenbrookes Hospital-Division B
1000 Discovery Drive, Cambridge Biomedical Campus
Cambridge
CB2 0AX
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.
Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:- applied for a Graduate visa- or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment- or the Trust has agreed that they will Sponsor you as a Skilled Worker and you will complete your studies within 3 months of the anticipated start date of employment.This vacancy will close at midnight on 1st March 2026
Interviews are due to be held on 12th March 2026
Why choose Cambridge University Hospitals?
Our values and reputation for outstanding care Opportunities to experience a range of specialities Career and development opportunities Preceptorship and mentoring programmes delivered by a dedicated clinical education support team Research experience and opportunities Lovely location and quality of life Excellent schools/colleges and transport links (road, rail and air)
Benefits to you
At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.
On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.
CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.
Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.
We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.
Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:- applied for a Graduate visa- or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment- or the Trust has agreed that they will Sponsor you as a Skilled Worker and you will complete your studies within 3 months of the anticipated start date of employment.This vacancy will close at midnight on 1st March 2026
Interviews are due to be held on 12th March 2026
Why choose Cambridge University Hospitals?
Our values and reputation for outstanding care Opportunities to experience a range of specialities Career and development opportunities Preceptorship and mentoring programmes delivered by a dedicated clinical education support team Research experience and opportunities Lovely location and quality of life Excellent schools/colleges and transport links (road, rail and air)
Benefits to you
At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.
On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.
CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.
Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.
We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
* GCSE English and Maths or equivalent.
* A Levels in Science based subjects or an equivalent BTEC/NVQ/HNC/HND Diploma
* Working towards a Foundation degree or equivalent experience.
Desirable
* Science based degree
* IBMS Certificate of Achievement or working towards
Experience
Essential
* Practical experience of working within Biomedical science laboratory
Desirable
* Practical experience of working in a Histopathology Department.
* Previous relevant experience of working in the NHS
Knowledge
Essential
* Knowledge of a range of procedures and practices in routine histopathology.
* Understands the role of diagnostic histopathology in a clinical setting
Desirable
* Knowledge of Histopathology procedures
* Knowledge of Pathology IT systems
* Knowledge of Quality Management Systems
* Knowledge/performance of Risk Assessments
Skills
Essential
* Good communication skills
* Demonstrable interpersonal skills - can work as part of a team or independently
* Ability to concentrate for prolonged periods of time
* High degree of manual dexterity to perform complex laboratory techniques
* Ability to work from set instructions- Standard operating procedures
Desirable
* Time management skills
* Organisational skills
Additional Requirements
Essential
* The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of safe, kind, excellent.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
* GCSE English and Maths or equivalent.
* A Levels in Science based subjects or an equivalent BTEC/NVQ/HNC/HND Diploma
* Working towards a Foundation degree or equivalent experience.
Desirable
* Science based degree
* IBMS Certificate of Achievement or working towards
Experience
Essential
* Practical experience of working within Biomedical science laboratory
Desirable
* Practical experience of working in a Histopathology Department.
* Previous relevant experience of working in the NHS
Knowledge
Essential
* Knowledge of a range of procedures and practices in routine histopathology.
* Understands the role of diagnostic histopathology in a clinical setting
Desirable
* Knowledge of Histopathology procedures
* Knowledge of Pathology IT systems
* Knowledge of Quality Management Systems
* Knowledge/performance of Risk Assessments
Skills
Essential
* Good communication skills
* Demonstrable interpersonal skills - can work as part of a team or independently
* Ability to concentrate for prolonged periods of time
* High degree of manual dexterity to perform complex laboratory techniques
* Ability to work from set instructions- Standard operating procedures
Desirable
* Time management skills
* Organisational skills
Additional Requirements
Essential
* The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of safe, kind, excellent.
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details
Employer name
Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Addenbrookes Hospital-Division B
1000 Discovery Drive, Cambridge Biomedical Campus
Cambridge
CB2 0AX
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Addenbrookes Hospital-Division B
1000 Discovery Drive, Cambridge Biomedical Campus
Cambridge
CB2 0AX
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)