Job summary
The Histopathology Departmenthas recently moved toa brand new,state-of-the-artfacilityand weare looking to expandourteam.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual to join the Histopathology Department in the role of a Specialist Biomedical Scientist.You will have experience within Histopathology and Diagnostic Cytology. You will have excellent organisationalskills and experience of working in a team delivering a high throughput service. A strong commitment to personal and professional development is essential for this post, to thrive in a dynamic patient focused environment.
Cambridge University Hospitals Histopathology department is one of the largest in the country with over 130 non-medical staff supporting over 50 consultant histopathologists. There is site specificreportingand we support many regional and national programmes. We are looking for people who have a desire for pushing the boundaries of current practice and want to join in a transformational programme of work which will involve adoption of new and innovative technologies and work practices. We have already 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 of the job
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, specimen storage, embedding and microtomy, staining, digital, slide collation, quality checking and maintenance of equipment
Candidates are required to have an IBMS Specialist Diploma in Cellular Pathology/Diagnostic Cytology or equivalent qualification.
Applications may be accepted from HCPC registered Biomedical Scientists who are currently progressing through the IBMS Specialist Portfolio in Cellular Pathology or Diagnostic 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/Diagnostic Cytology Specialist Biomedical Scientist Competencies" or successful assessment and award of their Specialist Diploma qualification by the IBMS.
NB: Post holder must not work outside their defined field of competence.
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 description
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
This vacancy will close at midnight on 8th March 2026
Interviews are due to be held on 23rd March 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 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.
Job description
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
This vacancy will close at midnight on 8th March 2026
Interviews are due to be held on 23rd March 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 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
Essential
- HCPC Registration as a Biomedical Scientist
- Biomedical Science Degree or equivalent
- oIBMS Specialist Diploma in relevant discipline or equivalent qualification. (applicants working towards this may still be considered)
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- Practical experience of working as a Specialist Biomedical Scientist in Histopathology
- Practical experience of working in Diagnostic Cytology
- Experience in embedding, microtomy and specimen category A transfer
- Experience of working unsupervised under one's own initiative for example: In provision of an out of hours Histopathology service.
Desirable
- Experience in Special Stains, Mohs, FNA Clinics, cryotomy, Team leading, line management, specimen category B and C dissection
- Experience of working in an NHS Histopathology Laboratory
- Experience of training staff histopathological techniques
- Previous NHS experience
Knowledge
Essential
- Broad knowledge of Histopathology and Diagnostic Cytology procedures and techniques
- Knowledge of Quality Management Systems
- Knowledge of Pathology IT systems
- Understands the role of diagnostic Histopathology and Diagnostic Cytology in a clinical setting
- Demonstrable knowledge of the clinical reason for performing and technical understanding of Histopathology/ Diagnostic Cytology tests equivalent to that covered by the IBMS Specialist Portfolio.
Desirable
- Knowledge/performance of Risk Assessments
- Knowledge and performance of audits
Skills
Essential
- Good communication skills
- Demonstrable interpersonal skills - can work as part of a team or independently
- Ability to concentrate for prolonged periods of time
- High degree of manual dexterity to perform complex laboratory techniques
- Able to prioritise workload to meet needs of the service
- Ability to supervise less experienced staff, including supporting the training of staff.
- Ability to organise and allocate work to less experienced staff to meet the needs of the service.
- Time management skills
- Organisational skills
Desirable
- Mentoring skills
- Credible and effective leadership qualities
Additional Requirements
Essential
- The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of safe, kind, excellent.
- Willingness to undertake training to extend their skill set to deliver role as well as train others
- High level of accuracy and attention to detail
- Integrity and personal credibility.
- Strives for excellence
- Self-motivated and able to motivate others
- Ability to be flexible, adaptable and respond to the needs of the service
- Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines where there are competing demands
- Puts the patient first in everything that is undertaken
- Awareness of self and impact on others
- Ability to identify inaccuracies and troubleshoot problems
- Ability to work unsupervised
- Actively participate in Continual Professional Development (CPD)
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- HCPC Registration as a Biomedical Scientist
- Biomedical Science Degree or equivalent
- oIBMS Specialist Diploma in relevant discipline or equivalent qualification. (applicants working towards this may still be considered)
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- Practical experience of working as a Specialist Biomedical Scientist in Histopathology
- Practical experience of working in Diagnostic Cytology
- Experience in embedding, microtomy and specimen category A transfer
- Experience of working unsupervised under one's own initiative for example: In provision of an out of hours Histopathology service.
Desirable
- Experience in Special Stains, Mohs, FNA Clinics, cryotomy, Team leading, line management, specimen category B and C dissection
- Experience of working in an NHS Histopathology Laboratory
- Experience of training staff histopathological techniques
- Previous NHS experience
Knowledge
Essential
- Broad knowledge of Histopathology and Diagnostic Cytology procedures and techniques
- Knowledge of Quality Management Systems
- Knowledge of Pathology IT systems
- Understands the role of diagnostic Histopathology and Diagnostic Cytology in a clinical setting
- Demonstrable knowledge of the clinical reason for performing and technical understanding of Histopathology/ Diagnostic Cytology tests equivalent to that covered by the IBMS Specialist Portfolio.
Desirable
- Knowledge/performance of Risk Assessments
- Knowledge and performance of audits
Skills
Essential
- Good communication skills
- Demonstrable interpersonal skills - can work as part of a team or independently
- Ability to concentrate for prolonged periods of time
- High degree of manual dexterity to perform complex laboratory techniques
- Able to prioritise workload to meet needs of the service
- Ability to supervise less experienced staff, including supporting the training of staff.
- Ability to organise and allocate work to less experienced staff to meet the needs of the service.
- Time management skills
- Organisational skills
Desirable
- Mentoring skills
- Credible and effective leadership qualities
Additional Requirements
Essential
- The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of safe, kind, excellent.
- Willingness to undertake training to extend their skill set to deliver role as well as train others
- High level of accuracy and attention to detail
- Integrity and personal credibility.
- Strives for excellence
- Self-motivated and able to motivate others
- Ability to be flexible, adaptable and respond to the needs of the service
- Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines where there are competing demands
- Puts the patient first in everything that is undertaken
- Awareness of self and impact on others
- Ability to identify inaccuracies and troubleshoot problems
- Ability to work unsupervised
- Actively participate in Continual Professional Development (CPD)
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Addenbrookes Hospital-Division B
Floor 4, Histopathology, 1000 Discovery Drive
Cambridge
CB2 0AX
Employer's website
https://www.cuh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)