Enhanced clinical practitioner
Level 6 · DegreeHealth and science 1.5 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
An Enhanced Clinical Practitioner apprenticeship is a degree-level programme for experienced healthcare professionals who want to develop advanced clinical skills beyond their original scope of practice. Apprentices work across complex and unpredictable clinical environments, making autonomous decisions about patient care. This standard leads to recognition as an enhanced clinical practitioner, supporting workforce flexibility and improved patient outcomes in NHS and independent health settings.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Advanced clinical assessment and examination techniques
Evidence-based decision making in complex patient scenarios
Prescribing or medicines management (where relevant)
Leadership and supervision within multidisciplinary teams
Research, audit, and quality improvement methods
Legal, ethical, and professional accountability in practice
Communication skills for sensitive clinical conversations
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Assess and manage patients with complex or undifferentiated conditions
Make autonomous clinical decisions within agreed scope
Collaborate with doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals
Lead or contribute to clinical audits and service improvements
Mentor junior colleagues and support their development
Document clinical findings accurately in patient records
Engage in continuing professional development and reflection
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 6 (Degree) - roughly Bachelor’s-degree level. Usually needs A-levels or a Level 3 qualification (employers set UCAS-point targets). You earn a full degree while you work - with no tuition fees to pay.
What’s next: Leads into professional roles, sometimes with a Level 7 (Master’s) apprenticeship after.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
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