Healthcare Science Assistant

You’ll help conduct routine technical and scientific procedures on a healthcare science assistant apprenticeship course.

In this position, you will carry out low-risk, routine technical and scientific duties, often within one broad topic of healthcare research, first under direct supervision but progressively under indirect supervision as you acquire experience.

Essential life support, procedure preparation, the development of reliable data and keeping accurate records, stock management of equipment and consumables, and the entry and retrieval of patient/test-specific technical data may all fall within your job spec.

You will be able to apply for membership in the Academy for HCS authorised register after you have completed this apprenticeship.

What you’ll learn

On a healthcare science assistant apprenticeship course, you’ll learn to:

• Maintain the highest levels of person-centred care, demonstrating compassion, decency, and respect for each individual.
• Encourage mental health and well-being.
• Effectively communicate critical information to patients, caregivers, and colleagues, both orally and in writing.
• Participate successfully as a member of the HCS team and the MPT.
• Consider your practice, and keep your knowledge and abilities current.
• Work just within the scope of your specialised expertise.
• Respond constructively to the results of assessments, feedback, and performance evaluations.
• Work safely in the HCS workplace by following safety and risk management standards and responding appropriately to incidents or crises.
• Use a variety of infection prevention and control measures.
• Maintain quality practices to fulfil the quality criteria of your HCS practice.
• Participate in technical audits as needed.
• Provide essential non-technical/technical assistance, information, and direction to HCS service users.
• Adhere to HCS standards and standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• Maintain as much secrecy as feasible for patients/caregivers.
• Make proposals for enhancing services and explain why you think they will work.
• Contribute to the creation of circumstances that will aid your team in generating a healthy atmosphere for coworkers.

Entry requirements

You’ll usually need:

• Depending on the employer, but likely GCSEs or equivalent or relevant experience.
• Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level before taking the end-point assessment.

Assessment methods

The End Point Assessment consists of three distinct assessment methods: 

• Vocational Competence Observation (VCO)
• Professional Practice Test (PPT)
• Professional discussion (PD) about development and achievement informed by the evidence presented (usually in a portfolio)

Duration, level, subjects and potential salary upon completion

Apprenticeship standard

More information about the Level 2 Healthcare Science Assistant Apprenticeship standard can be found here.

Apprenticeship end point assessment

For more information about the End Point Assessment Process, please read the Institute of Apprenticeships’ information page.