Occupation profile

The Healthcare Science Assistant (HCSA) contributes to safe patient care across all care pathways from conception to end of life in job roles within hospitals, general practice and other settings in the healthcare sector and across all areas of healthcare science.

HCSAs perform a range of low risk, routine technical and scientific procedures usually within one broad area of HCS, following specific protocols and in accordance with health, safety, governance and ethical requirements. HCSAs work using standard operating procedures, initially under direct supervision but increasingly with experience, under indirect supervision.

Programme qualifications & requirements

  • The Level 2 Diploma in Healthcare Science must be achieved before proceeding to end point assessment, to meet the Healthcare Science Assistant standard
  • Level 1 or 2 English and mathematics must be achieved prior to proceeding to end point assessment
  • A portfolio of evidence must be completed and available for end point assessment

Programme delivery

You will be allocated a Skills & Development Coach who will support and guide you for the duration of your apprenticeship. The apprenticeship programme will be delivered as blended learning. Blended learning is a combination of both online and face to face delivery. You will need to have good internet access and a suitable device such as a smart phone, laptop, or tablet to work on. Microsoft Teams is used for coaching sessions and ZOOM is currently used for taught sessions. Please discuss accessibility with your employer as these applications are required, in order for you to complete your training.

This programme takes a minimum of 12 months to complete during which you will participate in training, development and on-going review activities.
These typically include:

  • Induction which is specific to your workplace
  • Study days and training courses in work time
  • Mentoring/buddy support
  • Completion of a portfolio through which you gather evidence of your progress
  • Structured one to one reviews of your progressand development with your employer and Dynamic Training

Assessment Gateway

Your employer will make the decision as to when you are ready to undertake the end point assessment. You must have achieved Level 2 Diploma in Healthcare Science, Level 1 or 2 English and mathematics and a portfolio of evidence prior to proceeding to end point assessment.

End Point Assessment (EPA)

Following successful completion of the Gateway, you will proceed to end point assessment (EPA). The EPA is undertaken by an independent assessment organisation chosen by your employer. End point assessment will comprise of three components for the Healthcare Science Assistant apprenticeship:

  • Vocational competence observation - Fail / Pass
  • Professional Practice Test - Fail / Pass / Merit / Distinction
  • Review of portfolio of evidence and professional discussion - Fail / Pass / Merit / Distinction

All three components of the EPA must be undertaken and each are equally weighted;
The assessor will award the grade for each EPA element based on the assessment outcomes and determine the overall grade of Distinction, Merit, Pass or Fail based on the criteria shown below: 

FAIL = Fail any EPA element

PASS = Minimum 3 passes (pass in each element of the EPA)

MERIT = Merit achieved in either or both elements 2 & 3

DISTINCTION = Distinction achieved in either or both elements 2 & 3


Next Steps

Find out more about the programme please feel free to contact us via:

Tel: 0208 6077850 or

Email: hello@dynamictraining.org.uk

Online Enquiry form: Click here

Please click the image below to download the apprenticeship outline that details what you will need to achieve, to complete this apprenticeship.

 

 

Please click the image below to download the programme overview which provides details of the Dynamic Training teaching sessions that you will need to attend during the apprenticeship programme.