Level 4 Healthcare Science Apprenticeship
Healthcare Science Associate Apprenticeship | Level 4 | Includes Specialised Pathways | 24 Months (Plus Two Months End Point Assessment)
Apprenticeship Overview
Healthcare Science Associates are pivotal to the healthcare science workforce, bridging the gap between Healthcare Science Practitioners and Clinical Scientists. They are engaged in a diverse range of essential diagnostic, therapeutic, and monitoring activities, ensuring seamless patient care from the beginning to the end of life. With minimal oversight, they adeptly manage routine technical and scientific tasks across multiple disciplines within healthcare environments such as hospitals and general practices, demonstrating both versatility and expertise in their field.
Our apprenticeship programme is specifically tailored to build upon the existing skills of staff members in these critical roles. It aims to cultivate a high level of proficiency in a variety of technical and scientific procedures, equipping associates to contribute effectively to the multidisciplinary healthcare team. Through this programme, apprentices will acquire advanced knowledge and practical experience that not only meets but surpasses industry standards, setting them on a path toward a flourishing career in healthcare science while ensuring their role significantly enhances the quality and safety of patient care.
The Healthcare Science Associate Pathways
The Healthcare Science Associate apprenticeship consists of six core pathways to choose from that are structured to develop learners in a healthcare science role, specific to their area of expertise.
Dynamic Training are happy to support other pathways through a bespoke model that supports niche roles. Please contact us to discuss your departments individual needs.
- General Pathway
- Life Sciences Pathway
- Sleep Science & Respiratory Pathway
- Cardiology Pathway
- Ophthalmology Pathway – delivered in partnership with Moorfields Eye Hospital
- Decontamination Pathway – delivered in partnership with Eastwood Park
Achievement
- Healthcare Science Assistant Apprenticeship – Pass, Merit or Distinction
- Level 4 Diploma in Healthcare Science
- 16 - 18 Years Old: English & Level 1 Maths
- 19+: You may opt into English & maths at
the level you are working towards. - If you have a learning difficulty or disability,
you may be eligible to achieve your
apprenticeship with entry level 3 English
and maths
Professional Recognition
This standard aligns with the following professional recognition:
- Academy for Healthcare Science for Healthcare Science Associate Register (non-accredited)
- The Science Council for Registered Science Technician (RSciTech)
Progression
After completing this apprenticeship, we encourage learners to consider the following programmes if they wish to progress further:
Entry Requirements
To be eligible for a Healthcare Apprenticeship, the learner needs to have been residing in the UK or the EEA, for the past three years and be able to commit to the apprenticeship programme’s full duration. Note that certain types of immigration statuses/permissions may still be eligible. The learners job role should also fit with the programme modules. Additional entry requirements may also be needed for programmes at level 3 and above i.e. a level of previous experience or pre-requisite qualifications or CPD (Continued Professional Development) i.e. the Care Certificate.
Apprenticeship Journey
Orientation Workshop
Effective Communication
The Legal & Ethical Context Of Healthcare Science
Health, Safety & Security
Quality, Audit, Research & Development
Working In A Technical Environment
Teaching, Training & Assessing
Leadership, Teamwork & Mentoring
Your Pathway Of Choice:
Life Sciences
General Healthcare Science
Decontamination
Cardiac Physiology
Sleep Science & Respiratory
Ophthalmology
Mock End Point Assessment
Including Workshops As Required
Gateway
Tripartite Meeting
Check Knowledge, Skills & Behaviours learnt of whole programme
End Point Assessment
1. Observation with Questions
2. Professional Discussion
Pathway-Specific Units
Leadership, Teamwork & Mentoring
Scientific Basis of Healthcare Science: Clinical Science
Scientific Basis of Healthcare Science: Epidemiology & Public Health (Optional)
Scientific Basis of Healthcare Science: Mathematics, Statistics & Physical Sciences
Point of Care Testing (Optional)
The Building Blocks of Life
Scientific Basis of Medical Physics (Optional)
Unit selection can be customised to the role/service, but may include:
Anatomy, Histology & Physiology of the Respiratory System
Scientific Basis of Respiratory Disorders of Sleep
Spirometry & Bronchodilator Response in Adults
Measurement of Single Breath Transfer
Sleep Diagnostics
Spirometry, Static Lung Volumes & Bronchodilator Response in Children
Measuring Peripheral Oxygen Saturation
Measurement of Static Lung Volumes in Adults
Effective Communication
Scientific Basis of Healthcare Science: Clinical Science
Scientific Basis of Healthcare Science: Mathematics, Statistics & Physical Sciences
The Building Blocks of Life
General Laboratory Practice
Scientific Basis of Medical Physics (Optional)
Principles & Practice of Decontamination Science
Preparation of Medical Devices for the Cleaning & Disinfection Process
Cleaning & Disinfection of Medical Devices: Manual Processes
Inspection, Assembly & Packaging of Medical Devices in a Controlled Environment
Terminal Processing Including Sterilisation & High-Level Disinfection
Testing, Maintenance & Breakdown Management of Decontamination Equipment
Assisting in the Recording of Visual Evoked Potentials (Optional)
Assist in the Recording Visual Electrophysiological Investigations (Optional)
Ophthalmic Pharmacology
Instil Eye Medication for Purpose of Investigation or Treatment
Anatomy, Physiology & Pathophysiology of the Visual System
Imaging the Posterior Segment of the Eye
Measuring Visual Acuity
Visual Field Assessment
Measure Optical Prescriptions & Refractive Error
Scientific Basis of Cardiovascular, Respiratory and Sleep Science: Cardiac Embryology, Anatomy and Physiology
Recognising ECG Abnormalities in Adults or Recognising ECG Abnormalities in Children
Ambulatory ECG Monitoring
Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring
Assist in Cardiac Stress Testing or Introduction to Autonomic Science
Watch Our Apprenticeship Information Session
Still Want To Know More?
Join us on one of our apprenticeship information sessions where we can support you with any queries you have and help you make an informed decision about the programme.
Functional Skills Information
Functional Skills are qualifications in English and maths, embeded within apprenticeships, ensuring learners develop practical skills in the workplace.
- Entry Level 3: Assessed through internally marked tests in reading, writing, and maths, with a focus on everyday practical applications.
- Level 1 & Level 2: Assessed through externally marked exams in English (reading, writing, and speaking & listening) and maths, testing problem-solving and real-world application.
For Apprentices Aged 16-18 At The Start Of The Programme:
For level 3 apprenticeships and above, apprentices must pass Level 2 Functional Skills if they have not already achieved a GCSE grade 4 or higher.
Apprentices with an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, or a legacy equivalent (SEN statement or LDA), may be eligible to achieve Entry Level 3 Functional Skills in English and maths instead of the standard Level 1 or 2 requirements. This flexibility also applies if a thorough, evidence-based assessment by a qualified professional (such as the Head of SEN or an equivalent expert) identifies a learning difficulty or disability that presents a barrier to achieving the higher levels.
For Apprentices Aged 19+ At The Start Of The Programme:
Apprentices aged 19+ have the option to opt in or opt out of Functional Skills in English and / or Maths, with employer agreement.
If the apprentice opts in, they must undertake the assessments for the level they are working towards (e.g., Entry Level, Level 1, or Level 2). They can still complete their apprenticeship by proceeding directly to the End Point Assessment (EPA) without needing to pass Functional Skills assessments.
If the apprentice chooses not to opt in, they will complete the apprenticeship by proceeding directly to the End Point Assessment (EPA) without needing to upskill in maths and/ or English or pass Functional Skills assessments.
Please consider carefully, should you opt out, you may be affecting future progression opportunities.
The Apprenticeship Process
Apprentices are allocated a skills & development coach by a training provider such as Dynamic Training, who will support and guide them for the duration of their apprenticeship.
Training with the skills and development coach is delivered regularly throughout the length of the apprenticeship, both online and within the workplace itself. The training will always take place during the apprentice's normal working hours. The apprentice does not need to leave the workplace, or work additional hours, as part of their apprenticeship.
Apprentices will work to complete their portfolio of evidence for their apprenticeship, and submit assignments to the required standard, so that they can complete their apprenticeship and receive their qualification. The apprentice will also be learning and developing new knowledge, skills and behaviours within their workplace, and using this as evidence within their apprenticeship.
The skills and development coach will hold regular meetings with their learner and line manager, to see how the apprentice is developing and how much progress they are making with their portfolio of evidence. These meetings ensure that the learner is receiving the right support from both their employer and their training provider, and help move the apprentice forwards in their apprenticeship.
Being an apprentice requires access to a computer or other electronic device, as well a good internet connection, in order to complete their work and join online training sessions. Dynamic Training use Microsoft Teams for online meetings, and OneFile as our e-portfolio.
Frequently Asked Apprenticeship Questions
Apprenticeships are open to anyone aged 16 or over, entitled to live in England and who are no longer in full-time education.
Whether they are starting their working career or are already in the workplace looking to upskill or retrain, apprenticeships can provide an opportunity to increase skills and knowledge.
As there is no upper age limit, apprenticeships can be a great way for working professionals to help achieve career progression or for career changers to learn a new profession.
With an apprenticeship, employees have a fantastic opportunity to learn, gaining industry desired skills and knowledge and behaviours in the workplace.
Apprentices can be employed as a new apprentice on a fixed term contract or you they can be an existing member of staff who would like to upskill or retrain.
Once an apprentice starts their programme, they are allocated a Skills & Development Coach from Dynamic Training, who will support them for the duration of their training and ensure they are ready for end point assessment.
Additionally, employers are expected to provide apprentices with a workplace mentor who is normally a senior member of staff, but who is not the apprentices' direct manager.
Working hours vary depending on the employer, however the minimum duration of an apprenticeship (12 months) is based on an apprentice working 30 paid hours per week. For apprentices working less hours, the apprenticeship duration must be extended.
You can find out more about off-the-job training from the below page which fully breaks down how many hours an apprenticeship requires.
For existing staff members, their existing rate of pay will not be affected and you will not have to take a pay cut to become an apprentice.
For new entrant employed as an apprentice, you can view the minimum wages on the government's website.
You are able to search and apply for all apprenticeship vacancies using the National Apprenticeship Service website
Already Working: If you are looking to complete your apprenticeship with your current employer, first talk to your line manager about the opportunity to start an apprenticeship. We will gladly then talk to your employer about the options available to get you started.
Find out more about apprenticeships and answer your questions by exploring our comprehensive explanation of apprenticeships.
Enquire About This Apprenticeship Programme
How To Get In Touch...
Address:
Unit 7, Brook Business Centre,
Cowley Mill Road,
Uxbridge,
UB8 2FX
Phone: 020 8607 7850
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