▷ Immediate Start Associate Practitioner

Overview

Associate Practitioner - Cytokines at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The closing date is 05 October 2025.

The Immunology laboratory at Addenbrookes Hospital is looking for an enthusiastic, adaptable individual with a desire to improve patient care. The successful candidate would work in the cytokine section of the Immunology laboratory, which provides a supranational specialist diagnostic service for the investigation of immunodeficiency and auto-inflammatory disorders.

This role involves the receipt, preparation and processing of biological specimens for diagnostic testing and performance of specialist tests such as ELISA and Flow Cytometry. Other duties include data input, safe disposal of biological material and preparation of chemical/biological reagents. In addition, the post holder will be expected to manage levels of shared supplies, supervise less experienced members of staff and assist with shared laboratory tasks.

You will have good theoretical knowledge and practical experience in an NHS diagnostic laboratory or equivalent Research Lab experience. Full training can be given as needed. A strong understanding of confidentiality regulations and a passion for science is expected.

You will be a valued member of our experienced scientific team and will benefit from training and development opportunities, well supported by our professional, knowledgeable scientific and clinical teams.

Main duties of the job

Performs a number of healthcare science clinical/technical/scientific activities under supervision, e.g. performs standard immunological tests.

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

May be required to supervise, organise and allocate work and/or train less experienced staff in own area.

To work flexibly in reflection of service needs. This may include an extended working day and/or participation in shift delivery of a 10 hour, 6 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, CSF, urine, faeces, and respiratory secretions.

Maintain and promote professional image of the CUH Trust.

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.

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.

For NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough based roles, all applicants from NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough who have identified that they are at risk of redundancy will be prioritised over those not at risk. However, interviews cannot be guaranteed.

This vacancy will close at midnight on 5th October 2025

Interviews are due to be held week commencing 13th October 2025

Benefits and development

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

- GCSE Maths and English (A-C) or equivalent
- Appropriate NVQ level 3/diploma

Experience

- Practical experience of working in an NHS diagnostic laboratory or equivalent laboratory experience
- Use of laboratory IT systems (LIMS)
- Use of EPIC IT system
- Practical experience within an educational laboratory setting (College/University).
- Experience of ELISA techniques

Knowledge

- Demonstrable knowledge of a range of routine and non-routine healthcare science duties equivalent to an NVQ level 3/diploma
- Experience and good ability in Microsoft office products (Excel/Word) and other computer programs.
- Previous experience of working in the NHS or within Immunology.
- Demonstrable understanding of Quality management

Skills

- Effective verbal and written communication
- Demonstrable interpersonal skills - can work as part of a team or independently with minimal supervision.
- Ability to work under pressure, prioritise workload, and meet deadlines.
- Ability to concentrate for prolonged periods of time
- High degree of manual dexterity to perform laboratory techniques associated with the post
- High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Self-motivated and able to motivate others.
- Ability to be flexible and respond to the needs of the service.
- Ability to supervise less experienced staff, including supporting the training of staff.

Additional Requirements

- 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.

Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

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