Level 5 Healthcare Assistant Practitioner Apprenticeship Standard
The bridge between support staff and registered practitioners
An apprenticeship is a real, paid job. The apprentice works for an employer and trains with us at the same time, and comes out with a nationally recognised qualification and the experience to go with it.
The short answer
What an apprentice needs
Apprentices without Level 1 English and Maths will need to achieve this level and take the test for Level 2 English and Maths prior to completion of their Apprenticeship.
The employer sets the real bar, so treat this as a guide. If somebody is close but not quite there, it is still worth the conversation.
What they’ll learn
Hospitals, GP practices, mental health units and community services, under the supervision of registered professionals.
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They will deliver person-centred care plans
Supporting and delivering the plan rather than performing tasks from a list, which is the difference this level is meant to make.
Covers person-centred care plans, care delivery
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They will carry out clinical observations and interventions
Taking physiological measurements and performing clinical observations, and assisting with wound care, medication and mobility support.
Covers physiological measurements, clinical observations, wound care, medication, mobility support
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They will support mental health and long-term conditions
Working with individuals who have mental health needs or long-term conditions, where continuity matters more than any single intervention.
Covers mental health needs, long-term conditions
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They will document properly and escalate in time
Documenting care and reporting changes in condition to the clinical team. On a band 4 role this is where patient safety actually lives.
Covers documenting care, reporting changes in condition, escalation
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They will contribute to health promotion and standards
Health promotion and patient education, and helping ensure care is safe, effective and aligned with regulatory standards.
Covers health promotion, patient education, regulatory standards
Nobody springs anything on anyone
All apprentices must undertake an independent end-point assessment which is an assessment of the knowledge, skills and behaviours that have been learnt throughout the apprenticeship. The purpose of the assessment is to make sure the apprentice meets the standard set by employers and are fully competent in the occupation.
Coursework and portfolio
Work launched in class and completed in the job, building the evidence the assessor will look at.
A review with you
The employer, the apprentice and the tutor. Half an hour. Progress, targets, and anything getting in the way.
A full mock
Marked by a tutor who is not theirs, so the feedback is honest and the real thing holds no surprises.
What it takes, on both sides
If you're the employer
- A real role that covers the standard. Your Employer Relationship Officer will check it before anyone enrols.
- Time released for teaching, on a timetable you'll have from day one.
- Half an hour every 8 to 10 weeks for a three-way review.
- Your say-so when the apprentice is ready for their final assessment.
If you want to be the apprentice
- A job. An apprenticeship is employment, so you need an employer before you can start.
- Already working in this kind of role? Your manager can put you forward directly.
- An initial skills scan with us, so we know where you're starting from.
- No employer yet? That's the usual starting point, and finding one is the part we help with.
This is a step, not a destination
Most of our apprentices carry on, usually with the same employer and usually into a wider role. Which route is right depends on the job being done, so it is worth a conversation rather than a guess.
Not sure what comes after this one? Tell us the role and we'll tell you honestly which of our apprenticeships, higher apprenticeships or university-level courses fits next.
Where this course can take you
- Before you start
- This course Level 5
- Further study
Check you have what you need in the entry requirements.
Not sure? Talk to us and we will help you find the right starting point.
See all 2 courses
At University Campus North Lincolnshire
At University Campus Doncaster
Careers it can lead to
- Health Associate Professionals £24,200 a year
- Nursing Auxiliaries and Assistants £23,800 a year
- Care Workers and Home Carers £13.39 an hour
- Ambulance Staff (Excluding Paramedics) £27,800 a year
See all 10 careers
- Welfare and Housing Associate Professionals £25,100 a year
With further study or experience
- Registered Community Nurses £30,800 a year
- Other Registered Nursing Professionals £36,500 a year
- Registered Nurse Practitioners £41,500 a year
- Registered Specialist Nurses £47,300 a year
- Registered Mental Health Nurses £36,100 a year
Typical pay is the UK median for each job (Lightcast, October 2026).
How to start this apprenticeship
It takes two, an employer and an apprentice. Pick your side.
Put someone on this programme
Recruiting, or formalising the training of someone already in post? Start with a conversation. We'll check the role, sort the funding, and get them enrolled.
Speak to us today 01724 281111
Or advertise a vacancy through us and we'll handle the recruitment.
You'll need an employer first
An apprenticeship is a job, so an employer has to take you on before you can start. Already employed in this kind of role? Your manager can put you forward directly.
No vacancy that suits? Register your interest and we'll tell you when one comes up.