Job description and Person Specification – Non Clinical Roles (excluding

Admin bands 2-4)

Thank you for considering a role at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which
includes Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie Hospitals.

About Us
The Trust is one of the largest and busiest hospitals in the country and is a leading clinical and academic
centre with a national and international reputation for excellence. 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. It is their teamwork, energy, commitment and imagination that
make us one of the best hospitals in the UK.

Our Values
The Trust’s philosophy is to keep the patient at the heart of everything we do and we expect staff to
uphold our values of Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent at all times. The Trust’s Values and
Behaviour Standard is attached to this job description; it provides more information about the type of
behaviour we expect and love to see, and those we do not want to see. In considering whether to
apply for the post you should consider whether you understand and feel able to live our Values.

Supporting you to be the best you can be

The Trust is committed to bringing the best out of its employees. We want everyone who works here
to enjoy job satisfaction and feel proud to be an employee of the Trust. Each pay band has a set of
Performance Standards which explains the level of competency and standard of delivery required to
perform the role, you can download the performance standard for this post with the application pack.
The Trust is committed to providing on-going feedback, development and an annual appraisal
discussion.

Your Health and Well-Being

As a world leading healthcare organisation, CUH is a champion of good health and is committed to providing a
smoke free campus to protect its staff, patients and visitors. Smoking is not permitted on the CUH campus
and all employees must comply with the requirements of the CUH No Smoking Policy and support the
processes and practices in place in relation to patients and visitors.

Your health and well-being are important to us. If you have a disability or long term health condition and
have questions or concerns about the role, or indeed any aspect of working at CUH, and how this may impact
on your health, please contact Recruitment Services to discuss how we can best support you throughout the
recruitment journey and as a member of the CUH family.

We offer an extensive staff benefits package, including childcare, flexible-working schemes and the NHS
pension scheme along with a range of facilities that includes on-site sport and leisure facilities. Do visit our
website for more information about working at CUH and living in Cambridge: Working for us

Submitting your application

Please read this job description thoroughly before submitting your application. As well as meeting the
essential requirements of the person specification, be sure that you can demonstrate commitment to
our Values, teamwork, reliable attendance, dedication and the ability to show compassion, care and
respect to our patients, visitors and colleagues.

We recommend that you download the ‘Information for Applicants - Completing your application’
document which provides further details about how to complete each section of your application form
and further information about the application process.

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 Job title:
Medical Laboratory Assistant

Band:
3

Hours of work:
37.5

Location:
Cambridge Cellular Therapy Laboratory,
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust,
Cambridge Biomedical Campus
To whom responsible:
Production Manager

Job summary:
Perform various laboratory tasks to support the
routine Stem Cell Transplant service in line with
Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). Additionally to
be involved in the delivery of CAR T cell and novel
therapies.

Key duties and responsibilities:

 Assist with management of laboratory records, with meticulous attention to detail.

 Assist with the receipt of biological samples and entry into the laboratory information system.
 Assist with the preparation of samples for laboratory analyses.
 Assist with routine maintenance procedures on equipment.
 Assist with the issue of cell therapy products for patient treatment, which involves handling
of samples stored at very low temperature.
 Removal of laboratory waste to designated sites and perform general laboratory duties as
necessary.
 To perform routine cleaning and environmental monitoring procedures involved in maintaining
the aseptic suite, equipment and laboratory areas in accordance with GMP.
 To assist with facility and equipment validation.
 Be responsible for the collection and transport of cells as required.
 Be responsible for the daily maintenance of laboratory stock items.
 To receive deliveries into stores and record using the departmental stock management
system.
 Maintain a high quality of work, following departmental quality management procedures, and
take responsibility for their actions in accordance with laboratory protocols and guidelines.
 Adhere to laboratory health and safety policy and alert senior staff to potential perceived risks.
 Attend lectures, seminars, meetings and courses to facilitate personal training and
development as agreed.

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 Maintain effective communication within the laboratory and uphold the team approach to the
delivery of the service.
 Be an active member of the laboratory team and assist, where required, in the development,
implementation and maintenance of the policies and procedures of the laboratory, including
the effective use of resources.
 Demonstrate work procedures for the purposes of education and training.
 To work within and recognise knowledge boundaries.
 Participate in the annual appraisal cycle.
 If required participate in the laboratory on-call rota for liquid nitrogen storage management
and sample receipt.
 To participate in any future requirement for Saturday working.

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General Compliance:

1. To comply with all Trust Policies and Procedures, with particular regard to

- Risk Management - Health & Safety - Information Governance

- Confidentiality - Data Quality - Freedom of Information
- Equal Opportunities - No Smoking - Being Open: a duty to be candid

2. All staff have a responsibility to comply with the current infection prevention and control
policies, procedures and standards and ensure they have received an annual update on
infection prevention and control issues including hand hygiene. All staff should practice
and encourage appropriate hand hygiene and act professionally to ensure the hospital
environment is clean, safe and tidy.

3. To perform your duties to the highest standard with particular regard to effective and
efficient use of resources, maintaining quality and contributing to improvements.

4. To follow all the Trust Security policies and procedures and be vigilant to ensure the
safety and secure environment for care.

5. All managers/supervisors have prime responsibility for health and safety as part
of their normal line management function. They are responsible for the health
and safety of people, areas and activities under their control. This responsibility
cannot be delegated.

6. All staff that have access to or transfers any data are responsible for those data, it must
be kept secure and they must comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act
2018 and the General Data Protection EU Directive (GDPR). All data must be kept in line
with the Trust’s policies and procedures. Data includes all types of data i.e. patient,
employee, financial, electronic, hard copies of printed data or handwritten data etc.

7. The post holder is responsible for data quality and complying with the policies, procedures
and accountability arrangements throughout the Trust for maintaining accuracy and probity
in the recording of the Trust’s activities.

8. The Trust is committed to carefully screening all staff who work with children and
vulnerable adults. If this applies to this post, the appointment will be subject to a
satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service disclosure (formerly the CRB disclosure) of the
appropriate Level.

9. All staff will receive training on Child Protection -Safeguarding Children Policies and
Procedures as part of Induction and updates, this will equip the post holder with the
knowledge of what you will need to do if you have concerns about the welfare of a
child/young person under aged 18.

10. Participate in an annual Appraisal and Development Review meeting and ensure you are
meeting the Trust’s Performance Standard for the post.

11. CUH is a smoke free campus. All employees must comply with the requirements of the
No Smoking Policy and support the processes and practices in place in relation to patients
and visitors

12. To uphold the Trust Values and Behaviours standard.

13. Perform any other duties that may be required from time to time.

Every post holder can make a difference to a patient’s experience. You will come across patients
as you walk around the hospital; we rely on all our staff to be helpful, kind and courteous to
patients, visitors and each other. This job description may be altered to meet changing service
needs, and will be reviewed in consultation with the post holder.

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Our Trust values and behaviours
Values Behaviours Love to see Expect to see Don’t want to see
Shares lessons learned to help Always follows agreed safety and Shows a lack of focus on safety and
others to improve safety. wellbeing procedures. Learns from wellbeing in their day-to-day work.
Safety mistakes and asks for help if they
need it.

Encourages others to raise concerns Speaks up every time standards on Keeps concerns to themselves,
Raising about safety or attitude. safety, care or dignity are not met. and rejects feedback about their
concerns Welcomes feedback. own behaviour.
Safe
Seeks ways to enhance Keeps people informed and gives Doesn‘t give people the
I never understanding of information being clear explanations in ways people information they need. Uses
Communication communicated to meet people’s can understand. jargon inappropriately.
walk past,
needs.
I always
Encourage others to contribute Works as part of a team. Excludes others and works
speak up and demonstrates better ways of Co-operates and communicates in isolation.
Teamwork working within and across teams. with colleagues. Values other
people’s views.

Is constantly aware that what they Is calm, patient and puts people Passes on their negativity/stress.
Reassuringly say and do affects how safe other at ease. Takes pride in their own Is critical of other teams or
professional people feel. appearance and our environment. colleagues in front of others.
Displays unprofessional appearance.

Goes out of their way to make Is polite, friendly, makes eye Ignores or avoids people. Is rude or
people feel welcome. contact, smiles where appropriate abrupt, appears unapproachable/
Welcoming and introduces themselves. moody.
‘Hello my name is…’

Applies a broader understanding Treats everyone as an equal and Ignores people’s feelings or pain.
of the diverse needs of patients/ valued individual. Acts to protect Makes people feel bullied, belittled
Kind Respectful colleagues. Supports others to be people’s dignity. or judged.
themselves.
I always
take care Thinks about the needs of others. Is attentive and compassionate, Makes people feel like a burden:
Goes the ‘extra mile’ for other helps people who need help, or ‘It’s not my patient / job / problem’.
of the Helpful people. finds someone who can. Never
people walks by.
around me Makes time to listen to people even Listens to people in an attentive Disinterested, dismissive or talks
Listen when busy. and responsive manner. over people.

Goes out of their way to make Encourages people’s efforts. Doesn’t notice or appreciate
Appreciate people feel valued for their efforts Notices when people live up to our people’s efforts.
and achievements. values, says thank you.

Their positive attitude inspires Always aims to achieve the Accepts mediocrity or moans
Aiming high others to achieve the highest levels best results. without looking for solutions.
of quality.

Helps others to find creative Suggests ideas for better ways Resists change: ‘we’ve always done
Improving solutions to problems and shares of doing things and looks for it this way’.
Excellent good practice. opportunities to learn.

I’m always Shows enthusiasm and energy Takes responsibility and has a Avoids responsibility.
looking Responsible to achieve excellent results. positive attitude. Blames or criticises others.
for a Always respects the value of other Is on time, efficient, organised Misses deadlines or keeps
better way Timely people’s time. and tidy. Apologises and explains people waiting, without
if people are kept waiting. explanation/apology.

Helps others to understand how Thinks beyond their own job and Focuses on their own department
Makes services connect. team to make things easier for needs to the detriment of the
connections people. people they serve.
Post Title: Band Department:

How evidenced: A = Application Form I = Interview T = Test

How How
Factors Essential Criteria Desirable Criteria
Evidenced Evidenced
1 Qualifications  GCSE Maths and English (A-C) or higher A Undergraduate degree in Scientific subject A
or equivalent

A levels in Scientific subjects or equivalent

relevant experience
2 Experience  Use of Microsoft Office products including A  Previous experience of working in a A
creating and using spreadsheets to record medical/clinical laboratory or healthcare
or retrieve data accurately setting

 Following detailed instructions – such as  Management of stock

standard operating procedures
 Use of Ultra Low Temperature storage

 Experience of working within an  Experience in blood transfusion or

environment assisting a team automated Haematology or Pharmacy

3 Knowledge  The role of Medical Laboratory Assistant A/I  Receipt, processing, cryopreservation, A/I
within a clinical laboratory storage, issue of products for human
transplant
 Understanding of confidentiality and  Knowledge of Stem Cell Transplantation
data protection
 Understands Health and Safety within a
laboratory

4 Skills  Able to work both in a team and as an A/I  Ability to cope under pressure A/I
individual
Proactive approach to problem solving
 Ability to work in an organised manner

 Ability to work to high standards and with

a very high level of accuracy and
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 precision

 Good time management

 Ability to follow processes and procedures

 Ability to multi-task

 Effective communication skills

including telephone, email and
face to face

 Self-motivated

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5 Additional  Flexible in relation to working times I/A
Requirements including sometimes out of hours

 There may be a requirement to

participate in an On-call rota

The ability to understand and behave at all

times, towards patients, visitors and
colleagues according to the Trust values of
safe, kind, excellent.

The following hazards are associated

with this job role: Liquid Nitrogen
handling.

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Information for Applicants - Terms and Conditions of Employment

This information is a summary of the main terms and conditions for pay, annual leave, hours
and pension that is governed by the NHS Terms and Conditions of Service Handbook.

Pay
The advertisement provided the information about the pay band for this role. All pay bands
have a minimum and maximum point with opportunity for progression to the next pay step
point when a minimum length of service has been reached. This is subject to meeting
expected levels of performance. For more information about Agenda for Change Pay please
visit: http://www.nhsemployers.org/your-workforce/pay-and-reward/pay/agenda-for-change-
pay

New entrants to the NHS will normally commence on the minimum point of the pay band. Only in
exceptional circumstances where the employee has considerable relevant experience to the post
can a higher starting salary be considered. If a current NHS employee applies for a post at a
higher band they move onto the higher band receiving a promotional increase in accordance with
NHS Terms and Conditions. Current NHS employees transferring on the same pay band retain the
same salary.

Pay Progression
Employees will receive progression to the next pay step point (where available) subject to
meeting expected performance and compliance requirements. If you are an existing NHS
employee applying for a role on the same band, progression will be awarded in accordance with
the Trust’s current ADR and Pay Progression policy. If you are new to the Trust or are applying
for a promotion, progression will be awarded in accordance with the new national framework
agreement.

Hours
Full time is 37.5 hours per week and is in accordance with the working patterns/rota patterns
within the ward/department. These may be changed from time to time depending upon patient /
service needs. If the post you have applied for is part time, the salary will be calculated pro rata to
37.5 hours. If you are required to work nights/weekends/public holidays you will receive the
appropriate unsocial hour’s enhancements.

Annual Leave Entitlement

This is dependent on complete years of NHS service.

Years NHS service Annual leave entitlement per year

202.5 hours (based on 27 days x 7.5

0-5 years completed NHS service hrs per day) plus public holidays
(pro rata for part time)
217.5 hours (based on 29 days x 7.5
5-10 years completed NHS service hrs per day) plus public holidays
(pro rata for part time)
247.5 hours (based on 33 days x 7.5
Over 10 years completed NHS service hrs per day) plus public holidays
(pro rata for part time)

Pension
Employees are automatically enrolled onto the NHS Pension Scheme upon commencement. There
is both an employer and an employee financial contribution to the pension scheme, with the
employee contribution ranging from 5% to 14.5% depending upon your salary. New employees
will receive a detailed information pack on commencement. For further information about the
scheme and how to opt out following commencement, please visit www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk