Healthcare science assistant

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• applying directly

Entry requirements:

College

You could take a college course to help improve your chances of finding work. Courses include:

• Level 2 Certificate or Level 3 Diploma in Applied Science
• T Level in Healthcare Science

Entry requirements:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

Apprenticeship

You can do an intermediate healthcare science assistant apprenticeship.

If you have A levels or equivalent Level 3 qualifications, you could do a healthcare science associate higher apprenticeship.

The Academy of Healthcare Science has more information about apprenticeships.

Entry requirements:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Volunteering

You'll find it helpful to get some paid or voluntary work experience before you apply for jobs or training.

You can also find volunteering opportunities near you through The National Council for Voluntary Organisations and Do IT .

DirectApplication

You can apply directly for jobs. You'll usually need:

• good literacy, numeracy and IT skills
• an understanding of medical terminology
• some experience of working in a healthcare or lab setting

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• knowledge of chemistry including the safe use and disposal of chemicals
• knowledge of biology
• analytical thinking skills
• maths knowledge
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to use your initiative
• the ability to work well with others
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• to be flexible and open to change
• customer service skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• knowledge of English language
• administration skills
• active listening skills
• the ability to read English
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• the ability to work well with your hands
• science skills
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues

What you'll do:

Healthcare science assistants support healthcare professionals.

As part of your day-to-day duties, you might:

• label, sort and store specimens
• help with tissue and fluid sample analysis
• put together chemical solutions
• load and operate machines
• use a computer to input and analyse data
• dispose of hazardous waste
• sterilise equipment
• maintain stock levels

Location : You could work in an office, in a laboratory or at a GP practice.
Uniform : You may need to wear protective clothing.

Salary:

Starter : £22,000
Experienced : £28,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

40 - 42 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends on a rota

Career Path:

With experience, you could apply for a post as a healthcare science associate.

With a degree you could work towards becoming a healthcare scientist or biomedical scientist, or apply for the NHS Practitioner Training Programme .

You could also train to become a cardiological technician, cardiographer, cervical cytology screener or phlebotomist.