Level 2 Healthcare Science Apprenticeship
Healthcare Science Assistant Apprenticeship | Level 2 | Includes Specialised Pathways | 18 Months (Including End Point Assessment)
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Develop Skilled, Confident Support Staff Across Your Healthcare Science Services
A practical Level 2 apprenticeship designed to support the development of Healthcare Science Assistants working across a wide range of clinical and scientific settings.
Healthcare Science Assistants play a vital role in delivering safe, effective patient care by supporting diagnostic, scientific and technical procedures. This programme equips learners with the knowledge, skills and practical experience needed to carry out their role with increasing confidence and independence.
Why This Programme Matters
Healthcare science services are essential to patient diagnosis, treatment and ongoing care. As demand across NHS and healthcare services continues to grow, organisations need skilled support staff who can contribute reliably, safely and efficiently within clinical environments.
Our Healthcare Science Assistant apprenticeship has been designed to build those capabilities. It supports learners to develop technical proficiency, understand clinical processes, and work effectively within governance, safety and ethical frameworks.
This ensures procedures are carried out accurately, consistently and in line with healthcare standards, while strengthening workforce capability and supporting high-quality patient outcomes.
Who The Programme Is For
This apprenticeship is suitable for individuals working in, or starting out in, healthcare science support roles across a range of clinical environments.
Typical settings include:
- NHS trusts and hospitals
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Diagnostic and laboratory services
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Community healthcare settings
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Specialist clinical services
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Private healthcare providers
It is particularly well suited for:
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New entrants to healthcare science roles
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Support staff looking to build confidence and core clinical skills
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Individuals working under supervision who are developing towards more independent practice
If you are looking to build a capable, reliable and confident healthcare science support workforce, this programme provides a strong foundation.
Enquire About This Apprenticeship
What The Programme Covers
The programme develops the core knowledge, skills and behaviours required to operate effectively within healthcare science environments.
Learners will explore:
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Working safely within clinical and laboratory environments
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Understanding healthcare science procedures and protocols
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Applying health, safety and infection control standards
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Supporting patient-focused care and professional practice
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Following standard operating procedures accurately
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Working as part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team
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Developing confidence, communication and professional behaviours
Learning is practical and applied, enabling apprentices to build competence through real workplace experience.
Join A Lunch & Connect Session
We host friendly monthly lunchtime sessions for employers, managers and prospective apprentices who would like to learn more.
During the session we cover:
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An overview of the Healthcare Science Assistant apprenticeship
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The available pathways and how they work
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How the apprenticeship is delivered in practice
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Opportunities for questions and discussion
Time: 12:30pm to 1:15pm
Format: Microsoft Teams
Style: Informal and supportive
Materials: Provided if you are unable to attend
Flexible Pathways To Meet Service Needs
One of the strengths of this programme is the ability to tailor learning through specialist pathways, allowing organisations to develop staff in line with specific service areas.
Available Level 2 pathways include:
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Ophthalmology
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Decontamination
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Decontamination with Endoscopy
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Respiratory / Sleep
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Respiratory
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Respiratory with Cardiac
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Cardiac
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Pathology
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Phlebotomy
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Medical Engineering
Each pathway provides a focused development route aligned to job roles and service delivery needs.
A Practical Programme For Real-World Healthcare
This apprenticeship combines structured learning with hands-on workplace application, ensuring development is directly relevant to clinical practice.
Delivered by experienced healthcare science professionals, the programme supports learners to build both competence and confidence in their role.
Apprentices will:
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Gain experience working within real clinical and scientific environments
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Build confidence in following procedures accurately and safely
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Develop independence as their skills progress
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Contribute to patient care and service delivery
This approach ensures learners are fully prepared to support healthcare teams and deliver high-quality care.
Achievement And Progression
On successful completion, learners will achieve:
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Healthcare Science Assistant Apprenticeship (Pass, Merit or Distinction)
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Level 2 Diploma in Healthcare Science
Learners may also:
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Be eligible to apply for the Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS) accredited register
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Progress onto further training, such as the Healthcare Science Associate (Level 4)
Why Organisations Choose This Programme
Organisations choose this apprenticeship to:
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Develop a skilled and reliable healthcare science workforce
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Improve consistency and safety in clinical procedures
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Support workforce development across specialist services
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Strengthen compliance with clinical governance and regulatory standards
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Create clear progression pathways within healthcare science roles
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Improve patient care through well-trained support staff
Pathway-Specific Units
Causes of Disease & Maintaining Health
Causes & Spread of Infection
Receiving, Sorting, Transporting & Storing Laboratory Specimens/Samples Under Supervision
Causes of Disease & Maintaining Health
Causes & Spread of Infection
Cleaning, Decontamination & Waste Management
Introduction to Decontamination Science
Receiving, Cleaning & Disinfection of Reusable Medical Devices
Inspection, Function Testing, Assembly & Packaging within a Controlled (Clean) Environment
Terminal Process (Sterilisation)
Managing Product Release of Flexible Endoscopes
Receiving, Cleaning & Disinfection of Reusable Flexible Endoscopes (optional)
Causes of Disease & Maintaining Health
Causes & Spread of Infection
Cleaning, Decontamination & Waste Management
Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology
Select & Wear Appropriate PPE for Work in Healthcare Settings
Causes of Disease & Maintaining Health
Causes & Spread of Infection
Cleaning, Decontamination & Waste Management
Managing Conflict in the Workplace When Dealing with Customers, Service Users, or the Public
Obtain Venous Blood Samples
Measuring Blood Pressure using an Automatic Machine (Optional)
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:
Level 2 apprenticeships, apprentices must achieve level 1 and attempt the Level 2 Functional Skills assessments in English and Maths if they haven’t already achieved a GCSE grade 4 (C) or higher.
- They do not need to pass the level 2 assessments to complete their apprenticeship.
- They must attempt the assessment as part of the apprenticeship funding rules.
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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