ODP Apprentice - Theatres

Job overview

To assist with patient care and other departmental related duties as a Theatre Support Worker and as directed by Registered Theatre Practitioners.

To complete a Care Certificate Programme prior to applying to the university.

Upon entry on the ODP Apprenticeship, to train and study to complete the BSc (Hons) ODP Programme approved by the HCPC and accredited by the College of Operating Department Practitioners.

Candidates who do not enrol onto the University ODP Apprenticeship Programme, will remain employed at CUH as Band 3 Theatre Support Workers, and can receive support to prepare for a future interview.

Upon registering with the HCPC via the ODP apprenticeship route, candidates are guaranteed a job as a Band 5 ODP at Addenbrooke’s.

Main duties of the job

Operating Department Practitioners (ODP’s) are registered health care professionals who have an integral role in the provision of safe, holistic perioperative care.  Are you an aspiring ODP? Are you a college leaver pursuing ODP training?  Or simply seeking a change in career pathway? With no upper age limits, for our apprentices, this post is open to anyone aged over 18 years.

Perioperative Care Services are recruiting Theatre Support Worker – Operating Department Practitioner Apprentices. Successful candidates will potentially join a University cohort commencing May 2026, and upon gaining professional registration via the ODP apprenticeship route, they will be guaranteed a job as a Band 5 ODP at CUH.

Please note: If offered an apprenticeship, candidates will be required to attend an additional interview with the university before being accepted onto the apprenticeship.  Candidates must also provide original qualification certificates before being enrolled with the university.

Candidates who do not enrol onto the University ODP Apprenticeship Programme will remain employed at Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) as Band 3 Theatre Support Workers.

Detailed job description and main 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

As per Home Office guidelines, please be aware that, unfortunately, the Trust is unable to offer sponsorship for this particular position

Please Note: due to induction restrictions student visa holders are unable to undertake this position.

Please Note: Due to UK apprenticeship funding regulations applicants must have a right to work in the UK, or for EU citizens hold pre-settled or settled status and have been a UK or EU resident for the last three years or have indefinite leave to remain with documents that are not due to expire during the duration of the apprenticeship contract. Applicants must also not already have a qualification at a higher level within the same subject matter.

This vacancy will close on the 9th June 2026

Interviews are due to be held on the 18th June 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 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.

We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse, day nurseries and access to a great transport system with easy access to airports and rail travel.

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.