The content of this Pathway has been agreed by Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW), in collaboration with Healthcare Sector Employers. This is the only Apprenticeship Pathway in the Healthcare Services sector approved for use in Wales that is eligible for Welsh Government funding.
Learning Programme Content
The Learning Programme provision shall comprise of three mandatory elements:
- Qualifications,
- Essential Skills
- On/off the job training
The total minimum credit value required for the Level 2 Pathway Health Informatics is 57 credits.
The total minimum credit value required for the Level 3 Pathway Health Informatics is 77 credits.
The total minimum credit value required for the Level 4 Pathway Health Informatics is 141 credits.
Entry requirements
Level 2
Applicants to this Apprenticeship will be from different age groups, with differing backgrounds and experience. As a guide, applicants may enter via a range of routes including from:
- work
- work experience
- school
- college
- training and/or experience which may include a portfolio showing what they have done
Applicants may have already achieved a range of qualifications eg:
- Essential Skills Wales
- Welsh Baccalaureate
- Welsh Baccalaureate with Principal Learning
- foundation learning at level 1
- Other level 1 qualifications
- GCSEs in related subjects eg Health and Social Care or ICT
Personal Attributes
Employers look for health sector apprentices who are:
- Well Organised
- Able to work with large amounts of information and data
- Conscientious
- Discreet
- Respectful
- Personable
They also expect them to:
- Be able to work in a team
- Carry out their duties meticulously
- Show enthusiasm for working in the health sector
- Have basic literacy, numeracy and communication skills on which the apprenticeship will build
- Have a suitable level of physical fitness to perform some aspects of the job roles (eg assisting in moving and handling)
- Be willing to undergo Disclosure and Barring Service checks (this is needed as apprentices may come into contact with children, young people or vulnerable adults)
- Be flexible as there may be a requirement to work shifts
- Individual Healthcare sector employers may have additional employment entry requirements e.g. a current driving licence would also be an advantage (and may be necessary for some roles).
Level 3
Entry requirements are the same as Level 2, but also includes applicants may have already achieved a range of qualifications eg:
- Essential Skills Wales
- Foundation Apprenticeship
- GCSEs
- Welsh Baccalaureate (at this time there is no credit transfer)
- Welsh Baccalaureate with Principal Learning (at this time there is no credit transfer)
- Other level 2 qualifications
Apprentices who wish to accredit any prior learning must select options within the Pathway which will equip them with new skills and learning.
Level 4
Entry requirements are the same as Level 2, but also includes applicants may have already achieved a range of qualifications eg:
• Essential Skills Wales
• Apprenticeship
• GCSEs
• Welsh Baccalaureate (at this time there is no credit transfer)
• Welsh Baccalaureate with Principal Learning (at this time there is no credit transfer)
• Other level 3 qualifications
Apprentices who wish to accredit any prior learning must select options within the Pathway which will equip them with new skills and learning.
Apprenticeship pathway learning programme(s)
Level 2: Health Informatics
Level 2: Health Informatics Qualifications
Participants must achieve one of the following combined qualification(s) below.
Please see Annex 1 for the relationship between the competence and knowledge units within the combined qualification.
Essential Skills Wales (ESW)
| Level 2: Health Informatics | Level | Minimum Credit Value |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 1 | 6 |
| Application of number | 1 | 6 |
| Digital literacy | 1 | 6 |
Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh.
On/Off the Job training
| Pathway | Minimum On the Job Training Hours | Minimum Off the Job Training Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Level 2: Health Informatics | 214 | 239 |
On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
Health (Informatics Level 2). Total 57 credits.
• Combined qualification 32 credits
• Essential Skills 18 credits
• ERR/ Wider skills Wales qualification 7 credits
The total amount of training hours - which includes both on and off-the-job learning for this Pathway is 453 training hours. Over 12 Months
On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
- 6 credits/45 GLH Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Communication
- 6 credits/45 GLH Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
- 6 credits/45 GLH Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Digital Literacy
Level 3: Health Informatics
Level 3: Health Informatics Qualifications
Participants must achieve the combined qualifications below.
| Level 3 Diploma in Health Informatics | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awarding Body | Qualification No. | Credit Value | Total Qualification Time | Combined / Competence / Knowledge | Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s) |
| Agored Cymru | C00/0595/2 601/1187/2 | 52 | 520 | Combined | English-Welsh |
Please see Annex 2 for the relationship between the competence and knowledge units within the combined qualification.
Essential Skills Wales (ESW)
| Level 3: Health Informatics | Level | Minimum Credit Value |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 2 | 6 |
| Application of number | 2 | 6 |
| Digital literacy | 2 | 6 |
Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh
On/Off the Job training
| Pathway | Minimum On the Job Training Hours | Minimum Off the Job Training Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Level 3: Health Informatics | 277 | 341 |
On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
Health (Informatics Level 3). Total 77 credits. • Combined qualification 52 credits • Essential Skills 18 credits • ERR/ Wider skills Wales qualification 7 credits The total amount of training hours - which includes both on and off-the-job learning for this Pathway is 618 training hours. Over 18 months
|
On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
- 6 credits/60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Communication
- 6 credits/60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
- 6 credits/60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Digital Literacy
Level 4: Health Informatics
Level 4: Health Informatics Qualifications
Participants must achieve the combined qualification below
| Level 4 Diploma in Health Informatics | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awarding Body | Qualification No. | Credit Value | Total Qualification Time | Combined / Competence / Knowledge | Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s) |
| Agored Cymru | C00/1229/3 | 116 | 1160 | Combined | English-Welsh |
Please see Annex 3 for the relationship between the competence and knowledge units within the combined qualification.
Essential Skills Wales (ESW)
| Level 4: Health Informatics | Level | Minimum Credit Value |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 2 | 6 |
| Application of number | 2 | 6 |
| Digital literacy | 2 | 6 |
Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh.
On/Off the Job training
| Pathway | Minimum On the Job Training Hours | Minimum Off the Job Training Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Level 4: Health Informatics | 696 | 714 |
On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
Health (Informatics Level 4). Total 141 credits.
• Combined qualification 116 credits
• Essential Skills 18 credits
• ERR/ Wider skills Wales qualification 7 credits
The total amount of training hours - which includes both on and off-the-job learning for this Pathway is 1410 training hours. Over 18 months
On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
- 6 credits/60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Communication
- 6 credits/60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
- 6 credits/60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Digital Literacy
Other additional requirements
Apprentices are required to:
- Be willing to undergo Disclosure and Barring Service checks (this is needed as apprentices may come into contact with children, young people or vulnerable adults)
- Be flexible as there may be a requirement to work shifts
- Individual Healthcare sector employers may have additional employment entry requirements e.g. a current driving licence would also be an advantage (and may be necessary for some roles).
Job roles
The latest version of the job roles and job descriptions for this Pathway
Level 2
| Job title | Job role |
| Health Information Assistants | Role includes the routine handling and input of data, plus validation of data and information. They are responsible for providing reports and for the dissemination of information. |
Level 3
| Job title | Job role |
Assistant Practitioner (Informatics) | Involved in the handling and management of electronic and paper based data and information, using IT and manual systems. This could include day-to-day management of patient records, validation and coding of data and the analysis, reporting and use of data to support the quality of information. |
Level 4
| Job title | Job role |
ICT Support Technician | Assist in the delivery of ICT support. Including resolving IT support calls, performing installations, configurations, relocation and decommissioning of computer hardware and software; fault finding and rectifying problems; promoting good practice in the use of hardware and software and IT security. |
| ICT Test Analyst | Develops testing plans, scripts etc; Systems and Integration Testing (SIT), Operational Acceptance Testing (OAT), User Assurance Testing (UAT), Regression Testing and Performance. It might also include hands-on testing to build application expertise and ensure project deadlines are met. |
| Information Analyst | Provide analytical support to facilitate clinical decision making, service development and performance management. Facilitating data quality; communicating effectively with stakeholders; providing advice and support which might also involve providing education and training to others. |
| Senior IT Specialist | Develop, maintain, and support relevant systems for Infrastructure Support Operations Centre in own area and in accordance with specifications and operational requirements. The Infrastructure Support Operations Centre team are responsible for providing, monitoring, reporting, and gathering data. |
Progression
Level 2
Progression routes into the Apprenticeship:
See Entry Requirements
Progression from the Apprenticeship:
Health Information Assistants may go on to complete an Apprenticeship in Health Informatics, leading to a role as an Assistant Practitioner (Informatics) or work towards one of the emergent roles within the Health Informatics Career Pathway.
Learners may also progress from this Pathway onto further qualifications specific to their work context which may be in other areas such as IT, Customer Service or Library and Information Services. These may include further apprenticeship Pathways, qualifications or other work-related education and training to support Continuing Professional Development.
Progression should not just be seen as vertical. In some instances progressing into another role at the same level may be just as rewarding as it offers the opportunity to develop new skills and knowledge.
Level 3
Progression routes into the Apprenticeship:
See Entry Requirements
Progression from the Apprenticeship:
Learners may progress from this pathway onto a Level 4 Health (Informatics) Apprenticeship.
Learners may also progress into other areas such as IT, Customer Service or Library and Information Services. These may include qualifications or other work-related education and training to support Continuing Professional Development. Learners may also progress from this pathway into Higher Education undertaking a range of Informatics related degrees.
Progression should not just be seen as vertical. In some instances progressing into another role at the same level may be just as rewarding as it offers the opportunity to develop new skills and knowledge.
Level 4
Progression routes into the Apprenticeship:
See Entry Requirements
Progression from the Apprenticeship:
Learners may progress from this pathway onto further qualifications specific to their work context which may be in other areas such as IT, Data Analysis or Library and Information Services. These may include qualifications or other work-related education and training to support Continuing Professional Development. Learners may also progress from this pathway into Higher Education undertaking a range of Informatics related degrees.
Progression should not just be seen as vertical. In some instances progressing into another role at the same level may be just as rewarding as it offers the opportunity to develop new skills and knowledge.
Equality and diversity
It is important that apprenticeship Pathways are inclusive and can demonstrate an active approach to identifying and removing barriers to entry and progression. Pathways should advance equality of opportunity between persons who share protected characteristics and those persons who do not as identified in the Equality Act 2010.
The protected characteristics identified in the Equality Act are age, disability, gender re-assignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity. Marriage and civil partnership is also included although only in respect of the requirement to eliminate discrimination in employment.
Training providers and employers MUST also comply with the other duty under the Equality Act 2010 to ensure that applicants are not discriminated against in terms of entry to the industry based upon those nine protected characteristics.
Employers/providers must be able to demonstrate that there are no overt or covert discriminatory practices in selection, recruitment and employment. All promotional, selection and training activities must be monitored and comply with legislation.
There is a gender imbalance within the health sector, which is a predominantly female workforce. All jobs are open to both males and females and are advertised accordingly. Male role models are positively promoted through marketing materials, photos and case studies. However, a perception that certain job roles are for women remains and this may prevent some males from applying to work in these job roles.
Local apprenticeship programmes may be designed by employers to encourage a higher number of male applicants into these roles and into the workforce as a whole.
Skills for Health is not aware of any other imbalance in the take up of this particular Pathway eg by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups. For all health apprenticeships local recruitment is encouraged to reflect the local community.
It is recommended that employers/providers conduct an exit interview if the apprentice leaves the programme before completion. During the learner’s exit interview, it is recommended that information on learners leaving the programme before completion is identified and used to support the learner and develop the provision where necessary.
Skills for Health will monitor take up and achievement of all Apprenticeships and take steps to address any barriers to take up and achievement as part of our Sector Qualifications Strategy.
Employment responsibilities and rights
Employment Responsibilities and Rights (ERR) is no longer compulsory. But it is recommended that all apprentices (especially the 16 years -18 year group) receive a company induction programme.
Level 2
Apprentices must complete the following qualification:
Level 2 Award in Employment and Personal Learning Skills in Health where the learner is able to achieve a higher level, and it is appropriate to their role, apprentices may complete:
Level 3 Award in Employment and Personal Learning Skills in Health
This qualification is nationally recognised and was developed specifically to deliver the ERR and PLTS requirements of apprenticeships. Other Awarding Organisations may offer suitable alternative qualifications in future and the Pathway document will be when these become available.
To meet the ERR requirements of this apprenticeship Pathway, learners must select and complete the unit ‘Understand employment responsibilities and rights in health, social care or children and young people’s settings’ from the range of units included within the qualification.
Level 3
Level 3 Award in Employment and Personal Learning Skills in Health.
Level 4
Level 3 Award in Employment and Personal Learning Skills in Health.
In order to satisfy the evidence requirement for the apprenticeship, learners will have to provide a copy of the qualification certificate that clearly indicates completion of this particular unit.
This qualification may form part of the induction programme offered by employers.
Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of the Training Provider and Employer to ensure that the requirements of this pathway are delivered in accordance with the Welsh Government/Medr Apprenticeships Guidance.
Further information may be obtained from: Medr
Annex 1 - Level 2: Health Informatics
Relationship between competence and knowledge qualifications
On completing this qualification and the other Pathway qualification requirements the total number of credits which an apprentice will attain equals 45 which exceeds the statutory required minimum of 37 credits.
The combined qualification exceeds the required minimums of 10 credits for competence and 10 credits for technical knowledge.
The minimum requirement of 10 credits of assessed knowledge is met in this Pathway through the achievement of the mandatory units required to meet the credit threshold. The learner may achieve in excess of the minimum requirement in undertaking the full qualification.
The list below sets out how the credits have been assigned across mandatory units.
Introduction to personal development in health, social care or children’s and young people’s settings
Credit assigned to knowledge: 2
Credit assigned to skills: 1
Total unit credit: 3
Introduction to communication in health, social care or children’s and young people’s settings
Credit assigned to knowledge: 1
Credit assigned to skills: 2
Total unit credit: 3
Introduction to equality and inclusion in health, social care or children’s and young people’s
settings
Credit assigned to knowledge: 1
Credit assigned to skills: 1
Total unit credit: 2
Contribute to health and safety in health and social care
Credit assigned to knowledge: 2
Credit assigned to skills: 2
Total unit credit: 4
The role of the health and social care worker
Credit assigned to knowledge: 1
Credit assigned to skills: 1
Total unit credit: 2
Research Information
Credit assigned to knowledge: 2
Credit assigned to skills: 2
Total unit credit: 4
Organise and Report Data
Credit assigned to knowledge: 1
Credit assigned to skills: 2
Total unit credit: 3
Essentials in Health Informatics
Credit assigned to knowledge: 1
Credit assigned to skills: 1
Total unit credit: 2
Store and Retrieve Information
Credit assigned to knowledge: 1
Credit assigned to skills: 2
Total unit credit: 3
Maintaining Quality Standards in the Health Sector
Credit assigned to knowledge: 1
Credit assigned to skills: 0
Total unit credit: 1
Service Improvement in the Health Sector
Credit assigned to knowledge: 2
Credit assigned to skills: 0
Total unit credit: 2
Totals (for mandatory units listed above not entire qualification)
Total Credit Assigned to Knowledge: 15
Total Credit Assigned to Skills: 15
Total Credit: 29
Annex 2 - Level 3: Health Informatics
Relationship between competence and knowledge qualifications
On completing the above qualifications the total number of credits which an apprentice will attain equals 52 which exceeds the required minimum of 37 credits.
The combined qualification exceeds the required minimums of 10 credits for competence and 10 credits for technical knowledge.
The minimum requirement of 10 credits of assessed knowledge is met in this Pathway through the achievement of the mandatory units required to meet the credit threshold.
The learner may achieve in excess of the minimum requirement in undertaking the full qualification.
The list below sets out how the credit for knowledge has been assigned across mandatory units.
Managing health informatics in healthcare settings
Credit assigned to knowledge: 1
Credit assigned to skills: 2
Total unit credit: 3
Principles of managing information and producing documents
Credit assigned to knowledge: 3
Credit assigned to skills: 0
Total unit credit: 3
Communication skills for working in the health sector
Credit assigned to knowledge: 3
Credit assigned to skills: 0
Total unit credit: 3
Identify information requirements in a health context
Credit assigned to knowledge: 1
Credit assigned to skills: 3
Total unit credit: 4
Manage own performance in a business environment
Credit assigned to knowledge: 1
Credit assigned to skills: 1
Total unit credit: 2
Promote good practice in handling information in health and social care settings
Credit assigned to knowledge: 1
Credit assigned to skills: 1
Total unit credit: 2
Totals (for mandatory units listed above not entire qualification)
Total Credit Assigned to Knowledge: 10
Total Credit Assigned to Skills: 7
Total Credit: 17
To achieve a further 3 or more credits for skill learners must undertake one of the many optional skills units available. For example:
Data Management Software
Credit assigned to knowledge: 0
Credit assigned to skills: 4
Total unit credit: 4
Apprentices who have already achieved combined and/or competence and/or knowledge qualifications and units prior to entry to the Apprenticeship must select options which will equip them with new skills and learning.
Annex 3 - Level 4: Health Informatics
Relationship between competence and knowledge qualifications
The list below sets out how the credit for knowledge has been assigned across mandatory units.
Develop own effectiveness and professionalism
Credit assigned to knowledge: 3
Credit assigned to skills: 9
Total unit credit: 12
Analyse and report on health-related data and information
Credit assigned to knowledge: 3
Credit assigned to skills: 3
Total unit credit: 6
Promote good practice in handling information in health settings
Credit assigned to knowledge: 3
Credit assigned to skills: 2
Total unit credit: 5
Quality management of digital products and services
Credit assigned to knowledge: 4
Credit assigned to skills: 5
Total unit credit: 9
The principles of knowledge and information management in the health sector
Credit assigned to knowledge: 5
Credit assigned to skills: 0
Total unit credit: 5
IT system operation 2
Credit assigned to knowledge: 7
Credit assigned to skills: 7
Total unit credit: 14
Networking principles
Credit assigned to knowledge: 6
Credit assigned to skills: 4
Total unit credit: 10
Software design
Credit assigned to knowledge: 6
Credit assigned to skills: 4
Total unit credit: 10
Totals (for mandatory units listed above not entire qualification)
Total Credit Assigned to Knowledge: 37
Total Credit Assigned to Skills: 34
Total Credit: 71
On completing the above qualification, the total number of credits which an apprentice will attain equals 116 which exceeds the required minimum of 37 credits.
The combined qualification exceeds the required minimums of 10 credits for competence and 10 credits for technical knowledge.
The minimum requirement of 10 credits of assessed knowledge is met in this Pathway through the achievement of the mandatory units required to meet the credit threshold. The learner may achieve in excess of the minimum requirement in undertaking the full qualification.