Apprentice Healthcare Scientist
| Posting date: | 18 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £29,613.00 to £30,266.00 per year |
| Additional salary information: | £29613.00 - £30266.00 a year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 01 April 2026 |
| Location: | Colindale, NW9 5EQ |
| Company: | NHS Jobs |
| Job type: | Apprenticeship |
| Job reference: | K9919-26-0088 |
Summary
Service Delivery Receive, sort, unpack, label and process laboratory specimens. Assist in delivering safe, timely, highquality CL2 microbiological, serological and molecular testing following SOPs. Perform DNAbased detection and typing for pathogens using methods such as realtime PCR and whole genome sequencing (WGS). Support flexible laboratory responses to publichealth needs, including incident investigations or suspected deliberate releases. Assist in evaluating and implementing new laboratory techniques to improve effectiveness. Provide technical support, adjusting priorities to meet changing or urgent service requirements. Contribute to the efficient running and routine maintenance of laboratory equipment, including highvalue instruments, after training and competencyassessment. Maintain stock levels required for service delivery and perform routine equipment performance checks. Quality Management Follow all quality procedures and report noncompliances to senior staff. Contribute to internal and external audits. Ensure compliance with UKAS, ISO 15189 and other relevant accreditation standards. Suggest improvements to enhance service quality. Management Make decisions within established policies and operational processes, seeking guidance from senior staff when required. Strategy, Policy and Service Development Support the implementation of new technologies and methods to improve testing quality and efficiency. IT Infrastructure Use laboratory IT systems competently and provide required data to senior staff. Security, Health & Safety Maintain confidentiality and comply with data protection and informationsecurity policies. Prioritise health, safety and welfare of self, staff and visitors. Attend mandatory safety training and implement safety objectives. Ensure risk assessments are followed and maintained. Report accidents, near misses and hazards appropriately. Apprenticeship and Professional Development Work towards an accredited Biomedical Science degree and understand the importance of ongoing CPD. Develop a broad range of knowledge, skills and behaviours. Undertake workplace training and attend university teaching; 20% of paid time is protected for learning. Complete all mandatory training. Completion of the apprenticeship enables eligibility for HCPC registration as a Biomedical Scientist. Key Working Relationships Internal: Laboratory management and staff across the MS division and UKHSA. External: Clinical and nonclinical partners interacting with UKHSA laboratory services. Essential Criteria Educated to A level/ T level /NVQ level 3 standard or equivalent in Science or due to get qualification in the next 6 months. GCSE English Language grade 4/C IB grade 4 Higher level GCSE Maths grade 4/C IB grade 4 Experience of using Microsoft Office software i.e., Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint or equivalent. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing. Take time to consider the best communication channel to use for the audience. Does not already hold a BSc/MSc Science degree that overlaps with the Biomedical Science degree apprenticeship. You are inquisitive, you seek out new information and look for new ways to develop yourself. Ability to follow guidance, SOPS, policies, and processes, including handling sensitive and confidential data. Ability to work well as part of a team. Ability to produce work that is accurate in a timely fashion, whilst multi-tasking and working in a busy environment. Ability to prioritise own work and work with minimal supervision. Desirable Criteria Ability to collaborate with relevant people to get advice and information when unsure how to proceed with a task. An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships. Knowledge and understanding of laboratory safety requirements and procedures. An understanding of quality assurance principles and procedures. Demonstrated practical laboratory skills, including manipulation of pipettes and other essential laboratory instruments. Some experience of working in a laboratory environment. Selection Process Details This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria. Stage 1: Application & Sift You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 11 essential criteria and this will be in the form of a: Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application) 1500 word supporting statement. This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria. You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV. Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we may longlist into 3 piles of: Meets all essential criteria Meets some essential criteria Meets no essential criteria If used, the pile Meets all essential criteria will proceed to shortlisting. Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we may conduct an initial sift, on the lead criteria of: Alevel/Tlevel/NVQ Level 3 in Science (or completing within 6 months). GCSE English Language grade 4/C (IB Higher Level 4). GCSE Maths grade 4/C (IB 4). Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications/large amount of successful candidates. If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment. Feedback will not be provided at this stage. Stage 2: Interview You will be invited to a single face to face interview. If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview. Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview Interviews dates to be confirmed. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Location This role is being offered as lab based at our site in London, Colindale. Please note hybrid working is not available for this role. Security Clearance Level Requirement Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-Terrorist Check. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years to obtain Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting at this higher level and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder / Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice. Eligibility Criteria External: Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants). To be eligible for this apprenticeship role, you must have lived continuously in the UK for the last 3 years and have a valid visa to work in the UK. Non-UK nationals must have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least three years before the apprenticeship starts. To be eligible to apply you must NOT already have a qualification higher than A level/T level/NVQ Level 3 in Science. Salary Information If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms. Market Pay Supplement (MPS) to raise minimum starting salary to £32,578..