About this role
Job summary
A position has arisen for a Level 3 Apprenticeship in Medical Engineering based within The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals Instrument Curator Team.
The Instrument Curator is responsible for the maintenance, fault diagnosis and repair of a wide and complex range of surgical instruments and power tools including General, Gynaecological, ENT, Dental, Laparoscopic, Ophthalmic, Arthroscopic and Orthopaedic Instruments.
Interview Date Wednesday 12 August 2026 37 Hours 30 Minutes/Week You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy. NO AGENCIES PLEASE
Main duties of the job
Further Education TrainingIn year one the apprentice will attend Sunderland College full time in year 1. In year two and three the apprentice will attend college part time, one day per week to study for the Level 3 Diploma in Engineering. The Level 4 Diploma will be studied for in years 4 and 5 subject to review.
Practical TrainingDuring the first year the apprentice will attend a Sunderland College on block release to achieve their foundation competency in engineering. Once this has been achieved, the apprentice will then commence Level 3 training, which will take place within The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals Foundation Trust in partnership with Sunderland College.
Additional specialist trainingThe apprentice will at some stage of the apprenticeship attend additional specialist training on specific devices and surgical instruments used within the hospital.
About us
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
With around 2 million contacts with patients every year, we deliver care from:
Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) Freeman Hospital Newcastle Dental Hospital Cramlington Manor Walks Urgent treatment centres Newcastle Fertility Centre Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbria Northern Genetics Service These include a range of flagship services which deliver cutting-edge care (supported by state-of-the-art diagnostic services in both radiology and pathology) and are a catalyst for innovation to support pioneering clinical practice in the NHS.
We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.
Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under 'Documents to download' or 'Supporting documents'.
For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Job description Job responsibilities
The apprenticeship will commence during the week of the 31st August 2026 subject to all necessary checks being carried out, including a colour blindness test. Qualifications acceptable on entry are a minimum of GCSE at Grade A-C / 4 or above in English & Mathematics and Grade A-C / 4 or above, in at least 4 other subjects to include a science based subject.
You will need to be able to meet all the eligibility requirements as prescribed by the apprenticeship criteria to undertake the role.
To be eligible for an apprenticeship you must:
Have the right to work and remain in the UK. Have lived in the UK for at least 3 years. Must not be self-employed. Provide original evidence of required English and Maths qualifications. Further information:
You will not be considered if you have an equivalent or higher qualification in the same or a very similar subject. You must not be engaged in any other funded training or education programme. We cannot sponsor applicants during or on successful completion of the apprenticeship so please ensure you meet visa status eligibility. We cannot accept applications from student visa applicants. Please be advised if you are a 'Non-UK National' applicant you must meet the eligibility criteria and fulfil the settlement requirements of the apprenticeship course funding. Your settlement status will need to be verified as eligible for funding, by the relevant apprenticeship provider, for you to formally enrol on the course.Further details can be found on the UK Government website.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Minimum Grade B GCSE or equivalent in Mathematics Minimum Grade C GCSE or equivalent in 4 other subjects to include a science based subject
Desirable
Full driving licence
Knowledge Essential
An aptitude and interest in the practical and theoretical study of engineering
Desirable
Have an understanding of relevant health and safety issues
Experience Desirable
Previous background in the practical and theoretical study of engineering
Skills/Aptitudes Essential
Excellent written and oral communication skills Willing to undertake any necessary training Good team player Ability to work on own initiative Be able to work at height and in confined spaces No colour blindness deficiency
Desirable
Basic skills in the use of IT equipment and packages
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.
Employer details Employer name The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address Trustwide
317 Trustwide
NE1 4LP
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://careers.nuth.nhs.uk/why-us (Opens in a new tab)