Working in hospitals, primary care and other healthcare settings, carrying out routine technical and scientific procedures. Supporting healthcare science (HCS) practitioners and clinical scientists.
This occupation is found in hospitals, general practice and other settings in the health sector.
Employers can vary in size from a large national organisation such as the NHS through to a private practice.
Healthcare Science Associates work in Life Sciences, Physiological Sciences, Physical Sciences, Clinical Engineering, Clinical Bioinformatics in environments such as outpatient departments laboratories and engineering workshops.
The individual environment they work in determines the full scope of their role and the range of tests and activities they carry out.
Healthcare Science Associates are part of a wider team contributing to safe patient care across all care pathways from conception to end of life across all areas of healthcare science.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to perform a range of technical and scientific procedures and support the work of Healthcare Science Practitioners and Clinical Scientists.
The Healthcare Science Associate performs routine healthcare science investigations and communicates their results.
Healthcare Science Associates are likely to support the development and maintenance of healthcare science standards and protocols. They may contribute to the functioning of clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic services. They might help with quality controlling the technical processing of samples or tests. They may also manage medical equipment.
The Healthcare Science Associate follows specific procedures in accordance with health, safety, governance and ethical requirements.
In their daily work, an employee typically interacts with Healthcare Science professionals, the wider multi-disciplinary healthcare team, patients and the public.
They also support other members of the multi-disciplinary team with procedures from conception through to completion.
A Healthcare Science Associate will be responsible for performing diagnostic tests and tasks. They will also record and escalate adverse incidents or any results requiring urgent action to senior staff. They will deliver training and guidance to others.
They will support others on performing investigations and the appropriate use of equipment. They will plan their own workload and supervise that of others. They will ensure the effective use of stock and physical resources.
The Healthcare Science Associate follows specific procedures in accordance with health, safety, governance and ethical requirements.
A Healthcare Science Associate will contribute to multi-professional teamwork and to the day-to-day supervision of the service and its staff. They will ensure the accuracy of data recorded and collected. They will also take part in quality improvement, research and improvement as required by the role.
This is a summary of the key things that you – the apprentice and your employer need to know about your end-point assessment (EPA). You and your employer should read the EPA plan for the full details. It has information on assessment method requirements, roles and responsibilities, and re-sits and re-takes.
An EPA is an assessment at the end of your apprenticeship. It will assess you against the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) in the occupational standard. Your training will cover the KSBs. The EPA is your opportunity to show an independent assessor how well you can carry out the occupation you have been trained for.
Your employer will choose an end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) to deliver the EPA. Your employer and training provider should tell you what to expect and how to prepare for your EPA.
The length of the training for this apprenticeship is typically 24 months. The EPA period is typically 2 months.
The overall grades available for this apprenticeship are:
The EPA gateway is when the EPAO checks and confirms that you have met any requirements required before you start the EPA. You will only enter the gateway when your employer says you are ready.
The gateway requirements for your EPA are:
For the healthcare science associate, the qualification required is:
Level 4 Diploma in Healthcare Science (603/2313/9)
Level 4 Diploma in Healthcare Science (Anatomical Pathology Technology) (603/3970/6)
Sunderland University Level 4 Diploma in Healthcare Science
Observation with questions
You will be observed by an independent assessor completing your work. It will last at least 2 hours. They will ask you at least 5 questions.
Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence
You will have a professional discussion with an independent assessor. It will last 60 minutes. They will ask you at least 14 questions. The questions will be about certain aspects of your occupation. You need to compile a portfolio of evidence before the EPA gateway. You can use it to help answer the questions.
You should speak to your employer if you have a query that relates to your job.
You should speak to your training provider if you have any questions about your training or EPA before it starts.
You should receive detailed information and support from the EPAO before the EPA starts. You should speak to them if you have any questions about your EPA once it has started.Reasonable adjustments
If you have a disability, a physical or mental health condition or other special considerations, you may be able to have a reasonable adjustment that takes this into account. You should speak to your employer, training provider and EPAO and ask them what support you can get. The EPAO will decide if an adjustment is appropriate.
This apprenticeship aligns with Academy for Healthcare Science for Healthcare Science Associate Register (non-accredited)
Please contact the professional body for more details.
This apprenticeship aligns with The Science Council for Registered Science Technician (RSciTech)
Please contact the professional body for more details.
| Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | Occupational standard, end-point assessment plan and funding band revised. | 01/02/2024 | Not set |
| 1.0 | Approved for delivery | 31/10/2016 | 31/01/2024 |
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