Healthcare Science Laboratory Technician Apprentice

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Cambridge (CB2 9LG)

Closes in 15 days (Wednesday 27 August 2025)

Posted on 12 August 2025

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Summary

We are delighted to offer Healthcare Science Level 3 Apprenticeships across our Pathology Directorate. Pathology is the study of the causes and effects of disease on the human body, which underpins every aspect of patient care, from diagnostic testing and treatment advice to using cutting-edge genetic technologies and preventing disease.

Wage

£15,192 a year

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After 12 months in post, the salary will increase to the National Minimum Wage (depending upon your age).

Training course
Laboratory technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Friday normal office hours, times to be discussed and agreed (i.e., 8am to 4pm / 8.30am to 4.30pm / 9am to 5pm).

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 29 September 2025

Duration

2 years 3 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

  • To assist with day-to-day housekeeping within the laboratory
  • Interact with patients in-person or via telephone
  • Communicate instructions to a variety of patients effectively
  • Collect samples from patients as appropriate in a timely manner
  • Assists with collection, input, collation and reporting patient and performance data
  • Use laboratory information system (IDEAS) to record results after analysis and generate final reports
  • Carry out routine laboratory maintenance: opening the lab in the morning, validating lab equipment, washing counting chambers, decontaminating production rooms, closing the lab in the afternoon, etc.
  • Cleaning and maintenance of pipettes
  • Preparation of dilutions and reagents
  • Under supervision, carry out pre-analytical sample preparation as appropriate
  • Under supervision and where commensurate with the role, carry out analytical processes using standard operating procedures
  • Follow all health and safety procedures throughout, including safe handling of liquid nitrogen
  • Assist in consumables stock management: record stock requirements, deliveries and maintain the storeroom
  • Attend and, once trained, actively participate and contribute to laboratory staff meetings
  • Liaise with senior staff concerning problems that may arise
  • Maintain clear, full and accurate records of work carried out

Where you'll work

Cambridge IVF Kefford House
Maris Lane Trumpington
Cambridge
CB2 9LG

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

CSR SCIENTIFIC TRAINING LIMITED

Training course

Laboratory technician (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Comply with health and safety policies and procedures including HASWA, COSHH, risk assessments, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), manual handling, emergency procedures.
  • Maintain excellent housekeeping, in accordance with organisation Standard Procedures
  • Order and control stocks of laboratory materials where required
  • Identify, organise and use resources effectively to complete tasks applying the concepts of resource efficiency e.g energy, water and waste
  • Adhere to internal and external regulatory requirements e.g. GLP, GMP, GDP
  • Prepare for, and perform, laboratory experiments, tests or tasks following any specified methodologies to provide reliable, accurate data e.g. weighing, pipetting, filtering, spectroscopic techniques, chromatography techniques
  • Demonstrate technical competence in the use of specified instruments and equipment
  • Report faults and seek diagnostic advice to maintain equipment in good working order, including calibration where required
  • Complete documentation proficiently
  • Keep accurate records of laboratory work undertaken and results
  • Contribute to the preparation of reports.
  • Use simple statistical techniques for data presentation and evaluation e. g calculation of median and standard deviation, production of graphs
  • Demonstrate problem solving techniques including identification of sources of error and how they can be reduced e.g. human error
  • Use standard software packages and applications e.g. Microsoft Office suite
  • Use Laboratory Information Management systems to support their work
  • Address non-routine problems with samples and instrumentation, within defined areas
  • Identify relevant information from scientific sources e.g. supervisors, literature etc. in order to contribute to solutions
  • Participate in continuous performance improvement of systems and processes relevant to the work environment e.g. workplace organisation techniques, accreditation (e.g. ISO, UKAS) and proficiency testing.
  • Evaluate data, recognise and call attention to anomalous or unusual results
  • Comply with health and safety policies and procedures including HASWA, COSHH, risk assessments, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), manual handling, emergency procedures.
  • Maintain excellent housekeeping, in accordance with organisation Standard Procedures
  • Order and control stocks of laboratory materials where required
  • Identify, organise and use resources effectively to complete tasks applying the concepts of resource efficiency e.g energy, water and waste
  • Adhere to internal and external regulatory requirements e.g. GLP, GMP, GDP
  • Prepare for, and perform, laboratory experiments, tests or tasks following any specified methodologies to provide reliable, accurate data e.g. weighing, pipetting, filtering, spectroscopic techniques, chromatography techniques
  • Demonstrate technical competence in the use of specified instruments and equipment
  • Report faults and seek diagnostic advice to maintain equipment in good working order, including calibration where required
  • Complete documentation proficiently
  • Keep accurate records of laboratory work undertaken and results
  • Contribute to the preparation of reports.
  • Use simple statistical techniques for data presentation and evaluation e. g calculation of median and standard deviation, production of graphs
  • Demonstrate problem solving techniques including identification of sources of error and how they can be reduced e.g. human error
  • Use standard software packages and applications e.g. Microsoft Office suite
  • Use Laboratory Information Management systems to support their work
  • Address non-routine problems with samples and instrumentation, within defined areas
  • Identify relevant information from scientific sources e.g. supervisors, literature etc. in order to contribute to solutions
  • Participate in continuous performance improvement of systems and processes relevant to the work environment e.g. workplace organisation techniques, accreditation (e.g. ISO, UKAS) and proficiency testing.
  • Evaluate data, recognise and call attention to anomalous or unusual results

Training schedule

  • 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 Apprenticeship
  • You will have regular online sessions with the training provider
  • Additional training will be given in the workplace

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (GCSE or equivalent) (grade 4/C or above)
  • Maths (GCSE or equivalent) (grade 4/C or above)
  • Science (GCSE or equivalent) (grade 4/C or above)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Team working
  • Enthusiasm
  • Positive work ethic
  • Keen to learn
  • Adaptable to change
  • Motivated
  • Flexible
  • Punctual
  • Ability to prioritise workload
  • Ability to meet deadlines
  • Desire to work in a laboratory
  • Understand confidentiality

Other requirements

We are looking to start a new cohort of science apprentices in September. Department: Cambridge IVF Clinic.

About this employer

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.

https://www.cuh.nhs.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Disability Confident

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

Towards the end of the apprenticeship contract, and with support from the department and a dedicated apprenticeship team, you will have gained the knowledge and experience to enable you to apply for your next step in employment. We have a high percentage of previous apprentices who have successfully gained permanent employment with us and have gone on to do the Healthcare Science Practitioner Degree (Level 6).

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Seana Anderson

seana.anderson1@nhs.net

01223 808931

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000336744.

Apply now

Closes in 15 days (Wednesday 27 August 2025)

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