Healthcare Science Associate

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 4 Pathway Healthcare Science Associate is 118 credits.

Entry requirements

Apprentices should:

• Typically, be aged 18 years or older
• Demonstrate previous learning in a related discipline or equivalent experience
• Have achieved a level 3 qualification in a relevant area or equivalent experience
• Adhere to the standards of GSP which sets out the standards of behaviour, practice and personal conduct that underpin the delivery of HCS appropriate to the role or work undertaken
• Show enthusiasm for working in the health sector
• Have achieved literacy, numeracy, communication and digital literacy skills on which the apprentice will build
• Undergo Disclosure and Barring Service checks (this is needed as apprentices may or will come into contact with children, young people or vulnerable adults)
• Be flexible as there may be a requirement to work shifts
• 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 identify prior learning and experience so that they can tailor the Apprentices’ Individual Learning Plan only. This initial assessment will not be used to screen out applicants. Employers may use a separate interview or application process to assess an individual’s suitability for employment in the health sector

Applicants to this Apprenticeship will be from different age groups (typically aged 18 and over), with differing backgrounds and experience.

As a guide, applicants may enter via a range of routes including from:

• work
• work experience
• 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
• 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.

Personal Attributes - Employers look for health sector apprentices who are:

• compassionate
• honest,
• well organised
• conscientious
• discreet
• respectful
• personable
• well organised

They also expect them to:

• Be able to work in a team

• Carry out their duties meticulously

Apprenticeship pathway learning programme(s)

Level 4: Healthcare Science Associate

Level 4: Healthcare Science Associate Qualifications

Participants must achieve the following combined qualifications below.

Please see Annex 1 for the relationship between the competence and knowledge units within the combined qualification.

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh

On/Off the Job training

On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

• Healthcare Science Associate Total 118 credits. • Combined qualification 100 credits • Essential Skills 18 credits

  Summary of on- and off-the-job training

  To satisfy the requirements of this apprenticeship pathway an apprentice will need to complete a total of 2086 on and off-the-job training hours- typically over 24months

  (This figure is based on: (a) all total qualification time -BTEC 1000 hours, (b) 3 Essential skills 180 hours and (c) a minimum of 20 hours induction and mentoring and other support=1200 hours)

  Off-the-job training

  For this apprenticeship pathway an apprentice will need to complete a minimum of 886 off-the-job training hours. (This figure is based on: (a) 3 Essential skills 180 hours and (b) a minimum 20 hours induction and mentoring and other support(c) GLH from the BTEC 686=886 hours)

  On-the-job training

  For this apprenticeship pathway an apprentice will need to complete a minimum of 314 on-the job training hours typically over 24 months. (This figure is based on:1200 hours total qualification time in (i) above minus 886 hours off the job =314 on the job hours).

  On-the-job and off the job training hours are delivered through one or more of the following methods: individual and group teaching; e-learning; distance learning; coaching; mentoring; feedback and assessment; collaborative/networked learning with peers; guided study.

On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

• 6 credits/45 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Communication
• 6 credits/45 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
• 6 credits/45 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Digital Literacy

Other additional requirements

None

Job roles

Healthcare Science Associate

Supports the work of HCS Practitioners in performing high quality, safe diagnostic, therapeutic and monitoring technical and scientific procedures from conception to end of life in job roles within hospitals, general practice and other settings in the healthcare sector and across all areas of HCS.

Progression

Progression into this Pathway

See Entry Requirements.

Progression from this Pathway

Learners may progress from this pathway onto further qualifications specific to their work context which may be in other healthcare and related 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 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.

Further detailed information and advice on careers within the health sector can be found at http://www.wales.nhs.uk/

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 reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation. 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.

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

Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of the Training Provider and Employer to ensure that the requirements of the pathway are delivered in accordance with the Welsh Government/Medr Apprenticeships Guidance.

Further information may be obtained from: Medr

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