Healthcare Science Practitioner

On a healthcare science practitioner apprenticeship course, you’ll help support the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions.

A healthcare science practitioner works in life, physiological, or physical science and provides scientific and technical services. In this position, you will use applied scientific techniques to execute patient-sensitive and quality-assured tests, investigations, and treatments (including, in some instances, specialised therapeutic interventions) on samples, patients, and equipment.

You will be in charge of analysing several diagnostic tests that contribute to the clinical assessment of patients for disease, health monitoring, and treatment effectiveness. In addition, you will use your judgement, cope with ambiguity, and supervise the training of trainee practitioners and support employees.

You may work in several settings, including hospitals, primary care, public health, and private sector hospitals. You will get a bachelor’s degree in healthcare science.

What you’ll learn

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

• Ensure that the highest levels of person-centred care are employed to treat each individual with dignity and respect.
• Improve patient relationships by treating patients, caregivers, and families with warmth and compassion.
• Reflect critically on your technical/non-technical expertise, maintain knowledge and skills, and respond to appraisal/feedback.
• Work within your area of expertise as an independent practitioner.
• Encourage the professional growth and training of younger colleagues.
• Manage junior staff training on security/health/safety practices relevant to their profession, such as infection control.
• Carry out risk assessments authorised to you and make necessary modifications.
• Strategically plan clinical, and quality management practises.
• Carry out clinical, technical audits in your area of expertise.
• Analyse and appropriately analyse clinical, technical data on your own.
• Inform colleagues and patients about technical results.
• Ensure that all patient confidentiality responsibilities, including record keeping, are met.
• Take appropriate action based on the findings of audit/service improvement programmes.
• Use your research, reasoning, and problem-solving skills to promote excellent care/innovation in your profession.

Entry requirements

You’ll usually need:

• Depending on the employer, but likely A-levels or equivalent qualifications 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: 

• One hour written “Readiness for Practice Test” (RPT)
• A face-to-face Professional Discussion (PD)
• A research presentation of up to 15 minutes, followed by a 15-minute discussion and review.

Duration, level, subjects and potential salary upon completion

Apprenticeship standard

More information about the Level 6 Healthcare Science Practitioner 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.