Healthcare Science Laboratory Technician Apprenticeships

Job overview

Have you just completed your exams? Are you interested in starting a science apprenticeship? Would you like to be paid to develop your skills and gain a science qualification whilst working in an NHS setting?  If you are enthusiastic and motivated to do well, this might be just what you are looking for!   

We are delighted to offer entry level Healthcare Science Apprenticeshipsacross our Pathology Directorate.  Pathology is the study of the causes and effects of disease on the human body. Pathology underpins every aspect of patient care, from diagnostic testing and treatment advice to using cutting-edgegenetic technologies and preventing disease.  

All staff, regardless of their role contribute to CUH’s aim to provide the best possible outcomes and experience for patients.  Come and join your local hospitals (Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie) and be supported to earn as you learn whilst undertaking a nationally recognised qualification.   

The department available for an apprentice position: 

East Genomics (Cambridge Genomics Laboratory)   

Main duties of the job

As an Apprentice Healthcare Science Assistant, you will be providing support with practical and administrative tasks to help facilitatethe smooth running of the laboratory and provide technical support to assistthe scientific staff. Duties include assisting with the day-to-day laboratory housekeeping and processes, carrying out routine laboratory maintenance, collecting samples from Main Pathology and GP Specimen Receptions, preparing buffers and reagents, admin tasks such as scanning sample requests and assisting with the maintenance of general laboratory records and filing systems (please see attached Job Description for a full list of duties).   

Working for our organisation

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, staffand 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, nationaland 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. 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities. 

Come and join us and be supported to earn as you learn whilst undertaking a nationally recognised qualification. You will study a Laboratory Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.Applicants should have an interest in scienceand have a GCSE Grade 4/C or above in Science, Maths and English (or equivalent qualification (i.e. functional skills)).You will be new to this role and will be able to learn and build new skills. You will be enthusiastic, have a positive work ethic, be keen to learnand able to work in a team.  In return, you will receive support to gain a wide range of experiences and skills, supervisionand mentoring.  

The contract length is between 18 to 27 monthsand the apprenticeship salary on commencement is £16,258; after 12 months in post this will increase to the National Minimum Wage.  The Trust is proud of its values of Together – Safe, Kind and Excellent and looks to provide its staff with support, training and progression opportunities; towards the end of your apprenticeship contract,you will be supported by the Apprenticeship Team to apply for permanent employment.  We have a high success rate of apprentices who have gained further employment within the Trust, many continuing to study further higher level and degree apprenticeships. 

There is no upper age limit on joining us as an apprentice. 

We also have apprenticeships in nursing which are subject to different terms. For more information on the Nursing Apprenticeship scheme please check our website https://www.careers.cuh.nhs.uk 

 NB: Due to UK apprenticeship funding regulations applicants must have:  

The right to work in the UK  

Been a UK resident for the last three consecutive years  

If residing in the UK with a visa, documents that are not due to expire during the term of the apprenticeship contract  

EU citizens need to hold pre-settled or settled status or have indefinite leave to remain with also meeting the above criteria  

Not already achieved a qualification in the same subject matter at an equivalent or higher level 

This vacancy will close at midnight on 10th August 2026

Interviews are due to be held on 19th August 2026

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.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

Good standard of general education

English GCSE pass at Grade 4/C or above

Maths GCSE pass at Grade 4/C or above

Or an equivalent level of Literacy and Numeracy skills

Science GCSE pass at Grade 4/C or above

Must have been UK resident for at least 3 years

Desirable criteria

ICT qualification

Experience

Essential criteria

Experience of prioritising own work

Experience of organisation of work (This can be attained at school, college, through work)

Knowledge

Essential criteria

Ability and interest in working in a patient and customer care focused environment

An understanding of confidentiality.

Ability to work in a flexible manner.

Desire to work in a laboratory

Desirable criteria

Ability to be flexible and adaptable to demands of the job

Experience of IT software programs

Skills

Essential criteria

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and written

Ability to work accurately

Ability to show motivation and punctuality

Ability to meet deadlines and prioritise day to day workloads

Desirable criteria

Ability to touch type

Additional Requirements

Essential criteria

The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of safe, kind, excellent

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Documents to download

Further details / informal visits contact

Name

Seana Anderson

Job title

Pathology Apprenticeships Progressions Officer

Email address

View email address on careers.cuh.nhs.uk

Telephone number

View phone number on careers.cuh.nhs.uk

Additional information

Georgina Corfield

Head of Technical Programme

View email address on careers.cuh.nhs.uk