How to become a Assistant Practitioner
Works across a specific clinical area (e.g. therapy, radiography, theatres) carrying out higher-level tasks delegated by registered professionals.
Entry routes
- From Healthcare Assistant: Foundation degree (Level 5) (~2 yrs)
- From Senior Healthcare Assistant: Foundation degree (Level 5) (~2 yrs)
- From Nursing Associate: Foundation degree (often already held) (~1 yrs)
- From Therapy Assistant: Foundation degree (Level 5) (~2 yrs)
- From Radiography Assistant: Foundation degree (Level 5) (~2 yrs)
- From Healthcare Science Assistant: Foundation degree (Level 5) (~2 yrs)
What you'll need
Qualifications
Experience
- Speciality clinical experience
Employer support
- Employer support / sponsorship
Some links are affiliate links — we may earn a commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you.
Qualifications, cost & duration
Foundation Degree (Level 5, health/clinical)
Level 5 · ~24 months · Often free / funded
Often employer-supported/apprenticeship; self-funded fees vary by provider.
A typical path
£25,272 now → £28,392 in 2 yrs
- £25,272
Healthcare Assistant
Year 0 · Band 2 · entry
- £28,392
Assistant Practitioner
Year 2 · Band 4 · entry
- £31,157
Assistant Practitioner
Year 5 · Band 4 · top
Common questions
How long does it take to become a Assistant Practitioner?
2 years from HCA — see the step-by-step timeline above for a typical path.
See what you'd earn as a Assistant Practitioner
Build your personalised forecast and skills plan — free to start.
Create my career map →Related
Indicative — England 2026/27 Agenda for Change basic pay, excludes High Cost Area Supplements, unsocial-hours and overtime. Typical timings are national averages, not guarantees. Not financial advice. See data sources.