The content of this Pathway has been agreed by HEIW in collaboration with Healthcare Sector Employers. This is the only Apprenticeship Pathway in the Healthcare 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 Healthcare Support Services is 28 credits.
The total minimum credit value required for the Level 3 Pathway Healthcare Management is 37 credits.
Entry requirements
There are no specific qualifications required for entry to this Apprenticeship Pathway. Apprentices should:
- Demonstrate the values of the employer organisation
- 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 (e.g. assisting in moving and handling inanimate objects)
- Be willing to undergo Disclosure and Barring Service checks
- Be flexible as there may be a requirement to work rotas
Individual health 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).
Initial Assessment
Training providers and employers will use initial assessment to ensure that applicants have a fair opportunity to demonstrate their ability and to tailor programmes to meet individual needs, recognising prior qualifications and experience.
Apprenticeship pathway learning programme(s)
Level 2: Healthcare Support Services
Level 2: Healthcare Support Services Qualifications
Participants must achieve one of the following combined qualifications below.
| Level 2 Diploma in Facilities Services for Healthcare in Wales | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awarding Body | Qualification No. | Credit Value | Total Qualification Time | Combined / Competence / Knowledge | Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s) |
| Agored Cymru | C00/1231/0 | 38 | 380 | Combined | English-Welsh |
| Level 2 Extended Certificate in Facilities Services for Healthcare in Wales | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awarding Body | Qualification No. | Credit Value | Total Qualification Time | Combined / Competence / Knowledge | Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s) |
| Agored Cymru | C00/1230/9 | 28 | 280 | Combined | English-Welsh |
| Level 2 Diploma in Primary Care Administration and Reception | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awarding Body | Qualification No. | Credit Value | Total Qualification Time | Combined / Competence / Knowledge | Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s) |
| Agored Cymru | C00/4189/3 | 37 | 370 | Combined | English-Welsh |
Please see Annex 1 for the relationship between the competence and knowledge units within the combined qualifications.
Essential Skills Wales (ESW)
| Level 2: Healthcare Support Services | 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: Healthcare Support Services | 150 | 179 |
On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
On-the-job learning will comprise either the:
Agored Cymru Level 2 Diploma in Facilities Services for Healthcare in Wales
or:
Agored Cymru Level 2 Extended Certificate in Facilities Services for Healthcare in Wales
or:
Agored Cymru Level 2 Diploma in Primary Care Administration and Reception
Evidence to support the application for an apprenticeship completion certificate for on-the-job training will include a copy of the qualification certificate for one of the above qualifications detailing the units completed.
Off-the-job learning will comprise:
Level 1 Essential Communication Skills
Level 1 Essential Application of Number Skills
Level 1 Essential Digital Literacy Skills
Completed over 12 months
On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
- 6 credits/45 GLH Level 1 Essential Communication Skills
- 6 credits/45 GLH Level 1 Essential Application of Number Skills
- 6 credits/45 GLH Level 1 Essential Digital Literacy Skills
Level 3: Healthcare Management
Level 3: Healthcare Management Qualifications
Participants must achieve the following combined qualification below.
| Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Management | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awarding Body | Qualification No. | Credit Value | Total Qualification Time | Combined / Competence / Knowledge | Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s) |
| Agored Cymru | C00/4159/7 | 37 | 370 | 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: Healthcare Management | 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: Healthcare Management | 172 | 173 |
On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
On-the-job learning will comprise:
Agored Cymru Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Management
Evidence to support the application for an apprenticeship completion certificate for on-the-job training will include a copy of the qualification certificate for the above qualification detailing the units completed.
Off-the-job learning will comprise:
Level 2 Essential Communication Skills
Level 2 Essential Application of Number Skills
Level 2 Essential Digital Literacy Skills
Completed over 18 months
On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
- 6 credits/45 GLH Level 2 Essential Communication Skills
- 6 credits/45 GLH Level 2 Essential Application of Number Skills
- 6 credits/45 GLH Level 2 Essential Digital Literacy Skills
Other additional requirements
None
Job roles
The latest version of the job roles and job descriptions for this Pathway
Level 2
| Job title | Job role |
| Healthcare Support Workers | Health Care Support Workers deliver a support service within the NHS, Estates and Facilities staff work in all acute and community sites within each Health Boards and Trusts making a valuable contribution towards healthcare and the patient experience. |
Level 3
| Job title | Job role |
| Healthcare Management | Building on the development of A Career Frameworks for Healthcare Support Workers (HCSWs) working within Nursing or Allied Health Professional Currently (2015), NHS Wales identified and reviewed the educational and training programmes available for non-clinical staff. As a part of the review the Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare management was developed. This qualification will support Facilities staff career progression and provide the basis of a governance mechanism for the Facilities Support Worker workforce in NHS Wales.
|
Progression
Learners may progress from this Pathway onto further qualifications specific to their work context. A wide range of qualifications are available for use within the health sector. These may include further apprenticeships e.g. Level 4 Apprenticeship in Management or Operations and Quality Improvement, other qualifications or 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.
Many Healthcare Support Worker apprentices complete their apprenticeships and continue to work as Healthcare Support Workers in roles relating to the units, they have selected within their competence qualification (e.g. Domestic Assistant, Porter, Catering Assistant, etc). Others may wish to move into a clinical role and may select to undertake a clinical qualification or apprenticeship (e.g. Level 2 or 3 in clinical healthcare support).
Further detailed information and advice on careers within the health sector can be found at http://www.wales.nhs.uk/
Progression routes into:
• Level 4 qualifications
• Level 2 or 3 clinical work-based learning qualifications
Progression from:
Some apprentices may have already undertaken a level 2 apprenticeship e.g. Foundation Apprenticeship in health (Healthcare Support Services).
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.
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.
Skills for Health recognises the principle that the Welsh and English languages should be treated on a basis of equality. Consideration should be given to those whose first language is Welsh or those who simply are able and choose to speak Welsh. Awarding Bodies, employers, HEIs and training providers should take a proportionate approach to delivering the on programme and assessment elements of qualifications delivered in Wales in the Welsh language: based on a level of established demand to cater for both languages where needed and/or required when delivering this apprenticeship.
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 full company induction programme.
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: Healthcare Support Services
An integrated qualification at Level 2, which combines competence and technical knowledge elements in which each element is separately assessed and in which each element carries at least ten credits on the CQCF.
Relationship between competence and knowledge qualifications
|
Agored Cymru Level 2 Diploma in Facilities Services for Healthcare in Wales Agored Cymru Level 2 Extended Certificate in Facilities Services for Healthcare in Wales |
|||
|
Unit Title |
credit value |
credits for competency |
credits for knowledge |
|
Mandatory Units |
|
|
|
|
Manual Handling: Inanimate Loads |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Communication and Customer Service for Health Care Support Workers |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Dignity at Work |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Introduction to Continued Professional Development within the NHS Wales |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
Introduction to Infection Prevention and Control |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
Introduction to Waste Management |
2 |
1 |
0 |
|
Personal Health and Wellbeing in the Workplace |
3 |
0 |
3 |
|
Using Electronic Devices to Record and Submit Information |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Introduction to Professional Behaviour |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
Total |
18 |
4 |
13 |
|
Optional Units |
credit value |
credits for competency |
credits for knowledge |
|
Community Food and Nutrition Skills |
3 |
1 |
2 |
|
Community Food and Nutrition Skills |
1 |
0.5 |
0.5 |
|
Arrange and Record Meetings for Healthcare Service in Wales |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
Cleaning Residential Accommodation for the NHS Wales |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Co-ordination of Stock and Storage for the NHS Wales |
2 |
2 |
0 |
|
Data Information Management using Specialist Software for NHS Services in Wales |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
Maintain the Protection and Arrangements of Departmental Records for Healthcare Services in Wales |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
Patient Money and Valuables Management in a Healthcare Setting in Wales |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Produce Documents for use in Healthcare Services in Wales |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Store and Retrieve Information for Healthcare Services in Wales |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Using Office Equipment for Healthcare Services in Wales |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Conveyance of Passengers (without Specialist Needs or Requirements) for the NHS Wales Service |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
Driving Inanimate, Non-Specialist, Non-Time Critical Goods for the NHS Wales Service |
5 |
4 |
1 |
|
Moving and Transporting of Linen within the NHS in Wales |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Moving and Transporting of Medical Gas Cylinders within the NHS in Wales |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Receiving, Storing and Preparing for Distribution of Goods in Logistic Operations for the NHS in Wales |
6 |
5 |
1 |
|
Driving Inanimate, Specialist, Non-Time Critical Goods for the NHS Wales Service |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Using Electrically Powered Equipment in Cleaning Duties for the NHS in Wales |
2 |
2 |
0 |
|
Driving Inanimate, Specialist, Time Critical Goods for the NHS Wales Service |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Finishing Laundry within the NHS in Wales Service |
3 |
1 |
2 |
|
Collection and delivery of blood components - Welsh Blood Service |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Food Allergen Awareness |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Safe Use and Cleaning of Electrical Equipment within the NHS in Wales Service |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Standard Operating Procedure for Blast Chilling for NHS Wales Service |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Using Electrically Powered Equipment in Laundry Duties for the NHS in Wales |
2 |
2 |
0 |
|
General Cleaning and Waste (Including Food Waste, Clinical Waste and Confidential Waste) Management for the NHS Wales |
9 |
7 |
2 |
|
Sorting and Washing Laundry within the NHS in Wales |
6 |
5 |
1 |
|
Safe Operating Systems for Roll Cages and Pallets within the NHS in Wales |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Specialist Cleaning and Decontamination (including Vehicles) for the NHS Wales |
6 |
5 |
1 |
|
Performing Security Operations to Deal with Incidents Based Situations for the NHS in Wales |
5 |
4 |
1 |
|
Mail Room Operations for the NHS in Wales |
6 |
5 |
1 |
|
Control of Waste for the NHS Wales Service |
5 |
4 |
1 |
|
Moving and Transporting Individuals Internally within a Healthcare Environment |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Introduction to Healthcare Support Worker Administration |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Performing Security Operations to Deal with Car Parking Situations for the NHS in Wales |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Performing Security Operations to Deal with Criminal Activity Situations for the NHS in Wales |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Performing Security Operations to Deal with Violent and Aggressive Situations for the NHS in Wales |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Agored Cymru Level 2 Diploma in Primary Care Administration and Reception
|
|||
|
Unit Title |
credit Value |
credits for knowledge |
credits for competency |
|
Mandatory Units |
|
|
|
|
Provide Reception Services |
3 |
1 |
2 |
|
Supporting and Managing Patients |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Care Navigation in Primary Care |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Communicating with Patients |
3 |
0 |
3 |
|
Employment Rights and Responsibilities |
2 |
2 |
0 |
|
Maintaining Quality Standards in General Practice |
2 |
2 |
0 |
|
Understanding Welsh Language Provision in Non-Clinical Primary care |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
4 |
1 |
3 |
|
|
Understanding Safeguarding |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Working with Carers in Primary care |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Total |
23 |
10 |
13 |
|
Optional Units |
|
|
|
|
Chaperoning |
2 |
2 |
0 |
|
Resilience and Stress Management |
2 |
2 |
0 |
|
Mental Health and Wellbeing |
2 |
2 |
0 |
|
Principles of Managing information and Producing Documents |
3 |
3 |
0 |
|
Develop working relationships with colleagues |
3 |
1 |
2 |
|
Maintain and deal with payments |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
Infection Risks in a Healthcare Environment |
3 |
3 |
0 |
|
Disability Awareness |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Decision making |
1 |
0.5 |
0.5 |
Annex 2 - Level 3: Healthcare Management
An integrated qualification at Level 3, which combines competence and technical knowledge elements in which each element is separately assessed and in which each element carries at least ten credits on the CQCF.
Relationship between competence and knowledge qualifications
|
Agored Cymru Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Management |
|||
|
Unit Title |
Total Credit |
knowledge (credits) |
Competency (credits) |
|
Mandatory Units |
|
|
|
|
Principles of Working in Healthcare Services |
3 |
3 |
0 |
|
Supervision of Staff in Healthcare Organisations |
5 |
4 |
1 |
|
Manage Human Resource Records in a Healthcare Organisation |
3 |
1 |
2 |
|
Manage Individuals’ Performance in a Healthcare Setting |
4 |
2 |
2 |
|
Deliver Training Through Demonstration and Instruction |
3 |
1 |
2 |
|
Understanding Welsh Language Provision in Healthcare Organisations |
2 |
2 |
0 |
|
Promote Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
Total |
23 |
15 |
8 |
|
Optional Units |
|||
|
Collaborate with other Departments in Organisations |
3 |
1 |
2 |
|
Maintaining Quality Standards in the Health Sector |
2 |
2 |
0 |
|
Service Improvement in the Health Sector |
3 |
3 |
0 |
|
Implement Change |
5 |
2 |
3 |
|
Encourage Innovation |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
Monitor the Quality of Customer Service Interactions in Healthcare Organisations |
5 |
2 |
3 |
|
Manage a Budget |
4 |
2 |
2 |
|
Manage Resources in a Healthcare Organisation |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
Administer the Recruitment and Selection Process within a Healthcare Setting |
3 |
1 |
2 |
|
The Principles of Finance Administration for Supervisors/Team Leaders in Healthcare Settings |
2 |
2 |
0 |
|
Resilience and Stress Management in the Workplace |
2 |
2 |
0 |
|
Managing a Meeting |
1 |
0.5 |
0.5 |
|
Manage Conflict within a Team |
5 |
1 |
4 |
|
Manage an Office Facility |
4 |
2 |
2 |