Apprentice - Healthcare Science Associate

Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 18,000; Full time

Job summary

Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust is offering a Level 4 Healthcare Science Associate apprenticeship at the West Midlands Genomics Laboratory in Birmingham. The program starts January 2027 and combines practical laboratory work with online college study to gain a Level 4 BTEC qualification.

You will assist Genetic Technologists with genetic testing services for NHS patients in the Central and South region, learn lab safety, and participate in the training through the Trust's

Qualifications

• Eligible candidates must be aged 16 or over by start date and have the right to work in England.
• Must have been ordinarily resident in the UK and Islands for the three years before start date.
• Must be able to complete full apprenticeship programme including its assessment.

Responsibilities

• Assist Genetic Technologists in day-to-day laboratory work and provide genetic testing services to NHS patients.
• Attend online college lessons one day a week to gain a Level 4 BTEC qualification.

Skills

Basic IT skills

Teamwork

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Education

5 GCSEs including English and Maths grades 9-4

2 A Levels or equivalent

Biology at A-Level standard

Job description

Apprentice - Healthcare Science Associate

The closing date is 06 November 2026

The West Midlands Genomics Laboratory (WMGL) based in Birmingham Women's Hospital is recruitingenthusiastic 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.

Further information is available at:

Further and higher education, skills and vocational training - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Level 4 Healthcare Science Associate - CSR Group Scientific Training

Main duties of the job

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.

Apprenticeship funding rules: 2026 to 2027

About us

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.

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification to view the full details for this opportunity at Birmingham Womens and Childrens 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 the importance of Health Safety and Quality in a hospital laboratory
• 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

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer name

Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Birmingham Women's Hospital - West Midlands Genomics Laboratory

Birmingham Women's Hospital - West Midlands Genomics Laboratory