We are moving to a new, state of the art laboratory in 2025 and are looking to expand our workforce before that move.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated individual to join the Histopathology Department in the role of a Specialist Biomedical Scientist. You will have extensive experience within Histopathology and, excellent organisational and time management skills. You must have experience in the maintenance of a high throughput service. A strong commitment to professional development and teamwork are 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.
You are required to have an IBMS Specialist Diploma in Cellular pathology or equivalent qualification. Applications may be accepted from HCPC registered Biomedical Scientists who are currently progressing through the IBMS Specialist Portfolio in histopathology or cytology. Successful candidates that have not yet finished the portfolio will be paid on AfC Band 5 based on their experience at that grade, until completion of either all “Histopathology Specialist Biomedical Scientist Competencies” or successful assessment and award of their Specialist Diploma qualification by the IBMS.
CUH Histopathology department is one of the largest in the country with over 130 non-medical staff supporting over 50 consultant Histopathologists. There is site specific reporting and we support many regional and national programmes. We are looking for people who have a desire to push the boundaries of current practice and want to join a transformational programme of work. This will involve adoption of new and innovative technologies and work practices. We have 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.
Main Duties include:
Performs a wide range of routine healthcare science activities, whilst supporting junior members of staff including specimen receipt, specimen preparation including assisting pathologists at cut-up, embedding and microtomy of surgical tissue, slide collation, specimen storage and maintenance of equipment.
Demonstrate 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.
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.
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
If you require sponsorship for a Visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check you are not applying from a Red list country - Code of practice for the international recruitment of health and social care personnel in England - GOV.UK (
This vacancy will close at midnight on 2 February 2025
Interviews are due to be held on 18 February 2025
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 Sunday 2 Feb 2025