Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

SYBP Healthcare Science Assistant Apprentice

The closing date is 27 July 2025

Job summary

Are you looking for an exciting new challenge in a place to take your career to the next level? Would you like to join a friendly, progressive, innovative team and play a part in the transformation of pathology services across South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw? Do you want to work in a fully UKAS-accredited, modern laboratory environment where you can make a difference?

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals are offering the exciting opportunity to undertake a Level 2 Healthcare Science (HCS) Apprenticeship within the South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Pathology (SYBP) Directorate primarily based at The Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield.

Healthcare Science Assistants (HCSAs) perform a range of low risk, routine technical and scientific procedures usually within one broad area of HCS, following specific protocols and in accordance with health, safety, governance, and ethical requirements. HCSAs work using standard operating procedures, initially under direct supervision but increasingly with experience, under indirect supervision.

HCSAs are required to actively engage in studying towards the Healthcare Science apprenticeship which includes a BTEC level 2 diploma.

This post is to support the provision of laboratory diagnostic services by assisting and providing a range of diagnostic procedures, as appropriate, at different sites in the SYBP area under the direction of the Pathology Discipline Leads.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will be required to work under the supervision of Biomedical Scientists and Biomedical Science Assistants and will be trained to:

  • Perform pre-analytical checks of sample integrity
  • Use the laboratory and hospital computer systems to book patient samples in
  • Answer the phone and help resolve queries
  • Load samples onto analysers, where appropriate
  • Help maintain stock levels and, where appropriate, replace reagents on analysers
  • Perform basic laboratory and point of care tasks within their specialism, as appropriate
  • Train in phlebotomy to take samples from patients, as appropriate

The apprentice allowance as specified in the Minimum Wage Regulations will be paid for the first 12 months. The rate will increase after 12 months in line with these regulations for anyone that is age 19 or over.

This vacancy is advertised on a fixed term contract basis for a period of 14 months due to this being an apprenticeship/training programme. The fixed term contract status of the post holder will be reviewed in accordance with the Trust's legal obligations regarding fixed term contracts.

A learner/applicant must be a UK, EEA, or EU resident for at least the past three years to undertake an apprenticeship training programme.

About us

You will be working for an organisation which values and respects all its staff and the community it serves. The Trust is a leader in the NHS and research sectors and provides excellent benefits for its staff. This includes commitments to professional development but also many policies to support employees in balancing their personal and professional lives.

STHFT operates with a budget of £1.2 bn, has a workforce of over 18,500 employees, covers five hospital sites, provides care from over forty community settings, and has an excellent reputation for research.

As an organisation we value and respect our staff and the community we serve. We provide excellent staff benefits; this includes commitment to professional development but also many initiatives to support employees in balancing their personal and professional lives.

An assessment centre will take place on the morning of the 5th of August 2025 where you can come and meet some of the people you will be working with and existing apprentices.

If successful, you may be invited for Interviews as well (if needed), which will be held on the 13th of August 2025.

Details

Date posted

17 July 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£14,722 a year pa/pro rata for part time staff

Contract

Apprenticeship

Duration

14 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

190-0608-APP

Job locations

Royal Hallamshire Hospital

Sheffield

S10 2JF


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please view the attached Job Description and Person Specification documents for full details regarding this post.

When completing your application please ensure that you clearly demonstrate how you meet the role criteria.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please view the attached Job Description and Person Specification documents for full details regarding this post.

When completing your application please ensure that you clearly demonstrate how you meet the role criteria.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSE (or equivalent) in Maths and English at level D/5 or above

Desirable

  • GCSE (or equivalent) in Maths and English at level C/4 or above

Experience

Essential

  • Ability to follow and work to Procedures and Policy

Desirable

  • Previous NHS and laboratory experience

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

  • Keyboard and basic IT skills
  • Have an awareness of Health & Safety issues
  • Effective Communication skills, written and oral
  • Evidence of effective time management skills and with a methodical approach in relation to laboratory and academic requirements

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Ability to plan and prioritise allocated work
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSE (or equivalent) in Maths and English at level D/5 or above

Desirable

  • GCSE (or equivalent) in Maths and English at level C/4 or above

Experience

Essential

  • Ability to follow and work to Procedures and Policy

Desirable

  • Previous NHS and laboratory experience

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

  • Keyboard and basic IT skills
  • Have an awareness of Health & Safety issues
  • Effective Communication skills, written and oral
  • Evidence of effective time management skills and with a methodical approach in relation to laboratory and academic requirements

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Ability to plan and prioritise allocated work

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Hallamshire Hospital

Sheffield

S10 2JF


Employer's website

https://www.sth.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Hallamshire Hospital

Sheffield

S10 2JF


Employer's website

https://www.sth.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Blood Sciences Laboratory Manager

Ryan Colwell

ryancolwell@nhs.net

07776550767

Details

Date posted

17 July 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£14,722 a year pa/pro rata for part time staff

Contract

Apprenticeship

Duration

14 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

190-0608-APP

Job locations

Royal Hallamshire Hospital

Sheffield

S10 2JF


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)