Healthcare engineering specialist technician
Level 3 · AdvancedEngineering and manufacturing 4 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
The Healthcare Engineering Specialist Technician apprenticeship at Level 3 trains you to install, maintain, and repair the complex medical equipment and building infrastructure found in hospitals and healthcare facilities. You will work on systems such as medical gas pipelines, sterile supply equipment, lifts, and electrical systems that are critical to patient safety. It leads to specialist roles within NHS Estates and Facilities teams and private healthcare contractors.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Healthcare engineering systems - medical gases, HVAC, and electrical
Safe systems of work including Permit to Work in clinical areas
Planned preventive maintenance scheduling and record-keeping
Fault diagnosis and repair of specialist healthcare equipment
Infection control requirements in engineering maintenance work
Health and safety legislation including HTM and HBN guidance
Asset management and engineering compliance documentation
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Carry out planned maintenance on medical and building systems
Diagnose and repair faults in healthcare engineering plant
Inspect and test medical gas pipelines and outlets
Complete maintenance records and compliance certificates
Work safely within live clinical environments and wards
Liaise with clinical staff to minimise disruption to patient care
Follow infection control procedures during all maintenance work
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 3 (Advanced) - roughly A-level level. Employers usually look for some GCSEs (often English & maths around grade 4/C) or a Level 2 apprenticeship first. English & maths can sometimes be finished during training.
What’s next: Can lead to a Level 4/5 (Higher) apprenticeship, or straight into the role.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
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What it’s really like
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