Associate Practitioner | Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Posting date:	24 February 2026
Salary:	Not specified
Additional salary information:	£27,485 - £30,162 p.a. pro rata
Hours:	Full time
Closing date:	26 March 2026
Location:	Cambridge, CB2 0QQ
Company:	Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Job type:	Permanent
Job reference:	7793503/180-B-264057

Summary

Are you a team player looking to advance your career in a world-leading healthcare environment? The Blood Sciences Specimen Reception Department is looking for enthusiastic and reliable Associate Practitioner to join our dynamic and friendly pre-analytic team as a supervisor to deliver training and ensure the smooth workflow day to day in a fast paced and diverse sample reception area.

Ideally, you will have previous experience of working in a laboratory or preanalytical environment, be able to demonstrate an organised and thorough approach to your work and the ability to work under pressure. You will be involved in performing a wide variety of pre-analytic duties, troubleshooting and managing workflow, as well as data entry and general housekeeping in accordance with laboratory protocol.

We provide a full 24/7 service supported by a shift system (Agenda for Change Terms and Conditions apply), including weekends and Bank Holidays. You will be expected to participate in the shift system, predominately covering evenings following suitable training and successful competency assessments.

The department is very proactive in education and development and a strong commitment to personal and professional development and teamwork are all essential for this post. We support a variety of CPD activities. This role is not suitable for candidates wishing to complete Registration and/or Specialist IBMS Portfolios.

· Performs a number of healthcare technical and preanalytical activities under supervision, e.g. data entry and sample separation.

· Maintains clinical records in relation to activities carried out; may input/interrogate work of others.

· Supervise, organise and allocate work and train less experienced staff in own area.

· To work flexibly in reflection of service needs which 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 blood, pus, urine, faeces, and respiratory secretions.

· Maintain and promote professional image of the CUH Trust.

NB: Post holder must not work outside their defined field of competence

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.

We look forward to receiving applications from individuals who share our values and strive for excellence.

Note: An on-site practical assessment may be required as part of the recruitment process.

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 3rd March 2026

Interviews are due to be held on 19th 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 café, 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.


This advert closes on Tuesday 3 Mar 2026