The Royal Navy - Medical Assistant L5 Assistant Practitioner (Health) Apprenticeship in Portsmouth

Make a real difference to some essential operations. That might mean being the only medic on board ship, and taking responsibility for the general healthcare of an entire crew. This could include patient assessment and coordination of care, infection prevention and control, and supporting specialist senior healthcare support workers in their duties.

Use your medical expertise where it's needed most, providing primary healthcare to trauma victims in conflict zones all over the world. When you're not on deployment you will be working in a Royal Navy shore base or even with the Royal Marines. There's no equivalent civilian role, so you'll gain all the skills you need.

Work across all medical departments, learning directly from specialists in a number of different fields. You could be training with Special Forces in West Africa, or working in primary care on board a ship in the Persian Gulf.

Training

By the end of your training you will be a qualified Medical Assistant (Senior Healthcare Support Worker). Functional Skills in English and maths if required. You'll start your naval career as an Able Rate. Training and development continues throughout your career with the Royal Navy. It takes place in two distinct environments: at onshore training facilities and on-board operational ships.

When you join you complete 10 weeks of basic naval training, followed by 40 weeks of specialist training at Defence Medical Services (DMS) Wittington, broken down into classroom lessons and placements. During lessons you will learn:

• First Aid at Work
• Primary health care
• Pharmacy
• Environmental health
• Medical administration
• Other essential skills needed to be a Medical Assistant

Once you have gained the underpinning knowledge you will then undertake a 6 week clinical work based placement in various locations around the UK. On completion you will return to DMS Wittington to undertake Royal Navy single service training consisting of 7 weeks learning the specific and vital skills required of a Medical Assistant with the Royal Navy. This is followed by placements in primary and secondary healthcare facilities in various locations around the UK lasting for 11 weeks. Finally, you will return to DMS Wittington for a period of consolidation before graduating and being assigned to a medical centre or a ship.

What happens at the end

If you show the right commitment, skills and academic ability, you could become a Commissioned Officer. Members of the Royal Navy are promoted on merit. Work hard and you can rise through the ranks.

Skills

• Communication skills
• IT skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Problem solving skills
• Administrative skills
• Analytical skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Creative
• Initiative
• Non judgemental
• Patience

Qualifications

• GCSE Math and English (grade GCSE Level C/4) - desired

Key details

• Wage: £20,400 a year
• Working week: Shifts to be confirmed, total hours per week: 40.00
• Hours: 40 hours per week
• Duration: 1 Year 6 Months
• Start date: 2030-08-02
• Closing date: 2030-08-01
• Apprenticeship standard: Assistant practitioner (health) (level 5)
• Training provider: ROYAL NAVY

About the employer

The Royal Navy (RN) is responsible for the protection of British interests at home and around the World. 95% of all world trade passes through the high seas and every year Britain imports £524 billion worth of goods. The RN takes an active part in the protection of British Shipping. Around the United Kingdom the RN protects vital fishing stocks by monitoring fishing activities in our waters.