Decontamination Pathway

The Level 4 Healthcare Science Associate apprenticeship is an ideal way for learners to gain a recognised qualification whilst working within a relevant healthcare science related industry.  

The Decontamination pathway is specifically designed to support those learners working within a decontamination or sterile services departments.

The apprenticeship scheme has taught elements that are split between core units where you will join other L4 Apprenticeship learners from a variety of pathways, this often generates lively debate within class as many share best practice amongst the remote online classroom. In total there are nine core units that cover the fundamental topics you would naturally expect on an apprenticeship course based within healthcare science, some of the topics covered include: 

• Health and Safety
• Effective Communication
• Legal and Ethical Context of Healthcare Science
• Quality, Audit and Innovation 

As you gain mastery in the core units, learners will then move towards the specialist units that relate more to the department the learner is working in. Part of this provision includes the study of anatomy and physiology delivered via our state-of-the-art training package before learners move on to specialist sessions taught by a qualified industry expert. Units covered include: 

• Principles and Practice of Decontamination Science
• Preparation of Medical Devices for the Cleaning and Disinfection Process
• Cleaning and Disinfection of Medical Devices 

Upon completion of this course, you are likely to be in a Band 4 Associate Practitioner role, or in a position to apply for such role when one becomes available, the level 4 course is also an excellent starting point for applying to continue your studies at level 6, often within a University setting.  

Future roles that could be applied for are within senior positions, management of departments or even within inspectorate services.

No previous work experience within Decontamination is required however learners will benefit from having a basic understanding of the role.  

The learner should ideally be within a senior position such as team leader or supervisor to enable the successful completion of several of the core units.

We operate a remote teaching format where core lessons are delivered once a month, followed by a 4-week period to complete the relevant assignments. 

Learners will build an ongoing portfolio of evidence throughout the duration of the course and are expected to showcase their practical competencies via remote assessment.  

Witness testimonies from peers will ascertain how the learner meets the behaviours expected of an apprentice and continued professional development from within the department logged as off the job training.

The learners are taught by a qualified industry expert at the point they join the specialist units plus a portfolio of evidence really showcases the learner’s working environment and how they play an integral role in a patient’s pathway. 

The additional knowledge of anatomy and physiology gives learners a deeper understanding of health and disease in relation to the human body, this helps highlight how important the role of decontamination is in providing excellence within healthcare. 

By delivering the training remotely, learners can work around the constraints of shift patterns within the department and find time to explore the underpinning knowledge of their industry.