First Community Health and Care

Student Nursing Associate (apprenticeship)

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

Are you a Healthcare Assistant looking to further your nursing career? Are you interested in applying for a Nursing Associate level 5 apprenticeship, starting in September 2025.

This opportunity is open to internal applicants only.

You will need to show your ability to study at academic level 4.

You will be invited to complete an entrance interview with the university. Any formal apprenticeship offer is contingent upon you being successfully offered a place at university.

Base location to be confirmed.

Main duties of the job

Nursing Associates are registered and regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council NMC. More information can be found here: Nursing Associates - The Nursing and Midwifery Council

The nursing associate apprenticeship is a two-year foundation degree offered at either the University of Brighton or Open University.

Both universities offer the same foundation degree teaching and same high standard of support, the difference is the delivery mode.

The programme will comprise:

One day a week tuition

One day a week protected learning time

800 hours of placement over two years. Placement may be with First Community and other healthcare providers across Surrey and Sussex.

The above study time will be provided during work hours and will be paid time.

You will need to be prepared to invest your own time to study in addition to the above to reinforce learning and achieve the best outcomes.

As a minimum you must have:

English and Maths qualifications equivalent to GCSE grade 4 or C.

A previous level 3 qualification is desirable but not essential.

You will need to be able to travel to the University of Brighton 1 day a week for the duration of the course or be able to study remotely from home 1 day a week with the Open University.

You will need to agree to work with First Community for a minimum of 2 years post qualification.

About us

Do you want to be part of an organisation that was rated best provider of NHS care to work for nationwide? (2023 staff survey results)

First Community is a staff owned social enterprise rated Good by CQC, which delivers NHS community services across east Surrey and parts of West Sussex. We are looking for individuals who share our values First-rate care, First-rate people, First-rate value.

First Community is a great place to work, everyone has a voice and is supported to develop their career to its full potential. We offer all our staff: NHS terms and conditions, high quality training and development opportunities, flexible working to enable a good work life balance, an inclusive and friendly work environment, an NHS pension, flexible retirement options and various employee benefits.

Please talk to us before applying or at interview about the flexibility you need. We may not be able to meet your needs exactly, but we do promise to fully consider your request and meet your needs where possible. Please note, flexible working options may vary depending on the role.

At First Community we welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates and candidates with disabilities. We ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments.

Sustainability is integral to First Community achieving the NHS Net Zero target.

Details

Date posted

07 March 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,071 to £25,674 a year +5% HCAS

Contract

Apprenticeship

Duration

2 years

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

B9078-FC1032

Job locations

First Community Health & Care

Kings Mill Lane

Redhill

RH1 5JY


The Caterham Dene Hospital

Church Road

Caterham

Surrey

CR3 5RA


Tandridge District Council

8 Station Road East

Oxted

Surrey

RH8 0BT


Job description

Job responsibilities

This is a developmental role. The student will work towards the post of Nursing Associate through successful completion of the Nursing Associate training programme which includes the attainment of a level 5 Foundation degree equivalent qualification. They will develop and maintain knowledge, skill and competencies related to the role of Nursing Associate within the service and through completion of the Nursing Associate training programme which includes working in care settings and delivery of person-centred care.

Please refer to supporting documents for the full job description.

Job description

Job responsibilities

This is a developmental role. The student will work towards the post of Nursing Associate through successful completion of the Nursing Associate training programme which includes the attainment of a level 5 Foundation degree equivalent qualification. They will develop and maintain knowledge, skill and competencies related to the role of Nursing Associate within the service and through completion of the Nursing Associate training programme which includes working in care settings and delivery of person-centred care.

Please refer to supporting documents for the full job description.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Working as a Health Care Assistant

Skills

Essential

  • Demonstrates ability and commitment to study at Level 5 and to complete the Foundation Degree programme
  • Evidence of time management skills and ability to prioritise
  • Intermediate IT skills
  • Ability to communicate with members of the public and health and care providers
  • Ability to deal with non-routine and unpredictable nature of the workload and individual patient contact
  • Ability to travel and work at different sites as required by the needs of the university course (including external sites)

Desirable

  • Completion of an HCA development programme
  • Evidence of involvement in support or development of less experienced staff
  • Evidence of recent work-based learning or self-directed learning

Knowledge

Essential

  • Understanding of the scope of the role of the Nursing Associate in context of the team and organisation, and how the role may contribute to service development
  • Knowledge of when to seek advice and refer to a registered care professional
  • Understanding of the importance of the promotion of health and well-being.

Desirable

  • Understanding of evidence based practice
  • Understanding of basic Physiology

Qualifications

Essential

  • English and Maths qualifications equivalent to GCSE grade 4 / C
  • Care Certificate or essential induction training

Desirable

  • Level 3 qualification in care or equivalent

Other

Essential

  • Demonstrates the organisations values
  • Ability to work on own initiative.
  • Ability to work effectively as a team player under appropriate supervision, and as part of a MDT.
  • Insight into how to evaluate own strengths and development needs, seeking advice where appropriate.
  • Courteous, respectful and helpful at all times.
Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Working as a Health Care Assistant

Skills

Essential

  • Demonstrates ability and commitment to study at Level 5 and to complete the Foundation Degree programme
  • Evidence of time management skills and ability to prioritise
  • Intermediate IT skills
  • Ability to communicate with members of the public and health and care providers
  • Ability to deal with non-routine and unpredictable nature of the workload and individual patient contact
  • Ability to travel and work at different sites as required by the needs of the university course (including external sites)

Desirable

  • Completion of an HCA development programme
  • Evidence of involvement in support or development of less experienced staff
  • Evidence of recent work-based learning or self-directed learning

Knowledge

Essential

  • Understanding of the scope of the role of the Nursing Associate in context of the team and organisation, and how the role may contribute to service development
  • Knowledge of when to seek advice and refer to a registered care professional
  • Understanding of the importance of the promotion of health and well-being.

Desirable

  • Understanding of evidence based practice
  • Understanding of basic Physiology

Qualifications

Essential

  • English and Maths qualifications equivalent to GCSE grade 4 / C
  • Care Certificate or essential induction training

Desirable

  • Level 3 qualification in care or equivalent

Other

Essential

  • Demonstrates the organisations values
  • Ability to work on own initiative.
  • Ability to work effectively as a team player under appropriate supervision, and as part of a MDT.
  • Insight into how to evaluate own strengths and development needs, seeking advice where appropriate.
  • Courteous, respectful and helpful at all times.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

First Community Health and Care

Address

First Community Health & Care

Kings Mill Lane

Redhill

RH1 5JY


Employer's website

https://www.firstcommunityhealthcare.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

First Community Health and Care

Address

First Community Health & Care

Kings Mill Lane

Redhill

RH1 5JY


Employer's website

https://www.firstcommunityhealthcare.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Clinical lead

Caroline Beard

caroline.beard10@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

07 March 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,071 to £25,674 a year +5% HCAS

Contract

Apprenticeship

Duration

2 years

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

B9078-FC1032

Job locations

First Community Health & Care

Kings Mill Lane

Redhill

RH1 5JY


The Caterham Dene Hospital

Church Road

Caterham

Surrey

CR3 5RA


Tandridge District Council

8 Station Road East

Oxted

Surrey

RH8 0BT


Supporting documents

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