Apprentice - Healthcare Science Associate

Birmingham Women’s and Children; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust is offering a Level 4 Healthcare Science Apprenticeship starting January 2027 at Birmingham Women's Hospital. The 28‑month fixed-term contract is NHS AfC Band 2 with a salary of £25,272 per year.

The apprenticeship trains in the West Midlands Genomics Laboratory, supporting Genetic Technologists and NHS patients, with one day per week online college and on‑site lab training.

Qualifications

• GCSEs including English and Maths (grades 9–4)
• Two A Levels or equivalent
• Biology at A‑Level standard

Responsibilities

• Assist Genetic Technologists in day-to-day lab work.
• Provide genetic testing services to NHS patients.
• Maintain high standards of laboratory health, safety and risk procedures.
• Attend online college lessons one day per week.
• Complete Level 4 BTEC qualification through college and lab support.

Skills

Basic IT skills

Teamwork

Interpersonal skills

Education

5 GCSEs including English and Maths

2 A Levels or equivalent

Biology at A-Level standard

Job description

Search through the open vacancies at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s.

This is YOUR place

• To be at the heart of brilliant care for women, children and young people.
• Where innovation, compassion, and opportunity meet to help transform lives.
• To make a unique impact from day one. As one of only two centres in the UK for women, children, and young people, this is where you can help bring prize‑winning discoveries and game-changing innovations to life.
• To grow a thriving career and unlock your potential. Our unique and vast specialisms provide opportunities you won’t find anywhere else. No matter the career path you choose – you’ll have unwavering support for your ambition and a real investment in your learning.
• To discover a community of support. Where our strength comes from our people, who come from every walk of life and who work shoulder‑to‑shoulder across every discipline. Here, you’ll find a deep camaraderie and the support to take control of your career and find your passion – on the best days, and the toughest.

This is Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Trust.

This is your place, our place, the place.

Apprentice - Healthcare Science Associate

NHS AfC: Band 2

Main area Apprenticeship Grade NHS AfC: Band 2 Contract Apprenticeship: 28 months (Fixed term post) Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 284-26-8349045-DGUT

Site Birmingham Women's Hospital - West Midlands Genomics Laboratory Town Edgbaston Salary £25,272 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 06/11/2026 23:59 Interview date 15/12/2026

Flexible working arrangements may be considered and discussions with the recruiting manager regarding this are encouraged.

Job overview

The West Midlands Genomics Laboratory (WMGL) based in Birmingham Women’s Hospital is recruiting enthusiastic individuals with an interest in science to undertake a Level 4 Apprenticeship in Healthcare Science to start in January 2027.

The WMGL has an excellent record as a training laboratory, offering training across all levels of the healthcare science career pathway. We were recently awarded ‘Employer of the Year’ for 2024 by a national Apprenticeship provider. The Department is committed to continuous development and has an active seminar programme available to all staff. Full competence-based training will be given.

The Level 4 Apprentice in Healthcare Science will assist our Genetic Technologists in day-to-day laboratory work, providing genetic testing services to NHS patients within the Central and South region. You will be working as a team and will be required to keep a high standard of laboratory health, safety and risk procedures. As part of the apprenticeship, 1 day a week will be spent attending online college lessons and working on academic tasks in order to gain a Level 4 BTEC qualification. You will receive support from both college and the laboratory for your studies.

To be eligible for this apprentice, applicants must:

• Be aged 16 or over by the apprenticeship start date.
• Have the right to work in England and sufficient time remaining on any visa or immigration permission to complete the apprenticeship.
• Normally have been ordinarily resident in the UK and Islands for the three years immediately before the apprenticeship begins. Some exceptions apply, which will be assessed by the training provider.
• Not be in full-time education or undertaking another apprenticeship at the point this apprenticeship begins.
• Be able to complete the full apprenticeship programme, including its assessment.

Please note, it is an essential requirement for apprentices to have the right to live and work in the UK for the duration of their apprenticeship.

Detailed information can be found in Annex A of the apprenticeship funding rules.

Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust is the first of its type in the UK. Our Trust was formed in February 2017 to drive forward our commitment to provide the highest quality, world‑class physical and mental health care for our women, children and families. Uniting our hospitals means more seamless care; more investment to make greater advances in our specialist treatment and world‑leading neo‑natal and fetal work. Importantly, it also gives us a greater voice in shaping the future of family‑centred care.

Birmingham Children’s Hospital is a UK leading specialist paediatric centre with an international reputation in several areas.

Birmingham Women’s Hospital is one of two dedicated women’s hospitals in the UK, with the busiest single site maternity unit, delivering more than 8,200 babies a year offering a full range of gynaecological, maternity and neonatal care.

Our Trust is committed to creating the best place to work. We believe in promoting and enhancing inclusion, diversity and equality and encourage applications from all areas of the community, who meet the criteria for the role, regardless of age, gender identity, disability, race, religion or sexual orientation.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification to view the full details for this opportunity at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust.

When completing your application, please ensure you have evidenced how you meet the job description and person specification to include transferable experience, qualifications, skills along with professional registration details (if applicable).

Occasionally we receive a large number of applications for our roles and when that happens we sometimes bring the closing date forward, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment.

Person specification

Qualifications

• 5 GCSEs (including English and Maths grades 9 – 4 (A-C)
• 2 A Levels or equivalent
• Biology at A-Level standard

Knowledge & Nature of Experience

• Basic understanding of human biology/genetics

Analytical & Judgement Skills

• Knowing when to ask for help

Skills

• Basic IT skills
• Able to demonstrate an understanding of the importance of good team working, communication and interpersonal skills

Personal Skills / Abilities & Attributes

• Interest in working with patient samples
• Flexible approach to work
• Ability to work under pressure
• Ability to concentrate in a busy environment
• Good Listener
• Self-motivated and desire to learn new skills as required
• Ability to demonstrate Trust values
• Professional approach to working in a hospital laboratory
• Problem‑solving skills

Sponsorship:

Please note, visa sponsorship is only available for certain roles in line with current UKVI regulations. Please ensure the role you are interested in meets the criteria for sponsorship before submitting your application. If you would like more information, please visit: UK Visas and Immigration - GOV.UK

Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We understand that some applicants may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in preparing their application materials. While this is not discouraged, we kindly remind candidates that all submissions must be truthful and accurately reflect your own experiences and suitability for this role. Personal integrity and authenticity are central to our recruitment process. We value honesty and appreciate applications that are genuine and representative of the individual behind them.

Applications that rely too heavily on AI tools can appear generic and lack the detail we need to assess your skills and experience. Such applications will unlikely be progressed to interview.

Reasonable Adjustments:

BWC is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, committed to fostering an inclusive environment for those with a disability, long term health or mental health condition. The Disability Confident scheme means we actively encourage applications from people with disabilities, long term health or mental health conditions, and we want to ensure our recruitment practices are inclusive and accessible to all. Our aim is to get the best out of every individual and if successful for interview, you will be asked if you require any reasonable adjustments (special requirements). We will strive to support and accommodate these requests where possible.

Safeguarding

As a Trust employee you are required to comply with all legislation and guidance relating to safeguarding children and adults with care and support needs, and promoting their health and welfare. You are required to inform the Head of Safeguarding of any safeguarding concerns about your own children or children you live with. This information will be treated in a confidential manner.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Application numbers

Occasionally we receive a large number of applications for our roles and when that happens we sometimes bring the closing date forward, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment.