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Job summary

Main area
Nursing and Midwifery
Grade
Band 3
Contract
Permanent: 2 year programme
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (hours per week)
Job ref
193- 6522981COR-SNA
Employer
Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Royal Berkshire Hospital
Town
Reading
Salary
£24,071 - £25,674 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
05/01/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust logo

Student Nursing Associates (SNA)

Band 3

Royal Berkshire Hospital are pleased to announce that following our CQC inspection we have been rated ‘Good’ with inspectors reporting that we have made significant improvements.  The Trust’s overall rating has also improved to ‘good’.  This is a great opportunity to join our clinical or non-clinical teams to create a positive and motivating environment within our trust.  Come and join our team in this exciting time of change as we pride ourselves, our staff and our services on excellence.

At the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust we put our patients at the heart of every element of health and care that we provide. The Trust works together as a community to deliver its vision which is “Working together to provide outstanding care for our community.”

We are Compassionate in our thoughts, words and actions

We are Aspirational and have a true desire to be dynamic and to innovate

We are Resourceful and responsible in the way we work and live

We are Excellent in our development, fairness and sharing best practice

Amazing things happen at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust; delivered by amazing people so why don’t you come and join us.  We offer a range of learning and development for all employees may you be clinical or non-clinical.  

 

Diversity is what makes us interesting… Inclusion is what will make us outstanding.

Inequality exists and the journey to eliminate it is not easy. Every step we take will be a purposeful step forward to deliver a truly inclusive culture where all our people are enabled to deliver outstanding care, where background is no barrier, and where everyone can be their authentic self and we truly represent our patient community.

We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants where possible. All applicants who have a disability and meet the minimum criteria for the post can opt for a guaranteed interview.

If you need additional help with your application please get in touch by calling the recruitment team on 0118 322 6997 or 0118 322 5342.

Our primary method of communication will be via email. However, if you would prefer to be contacted through a different method, please inform the recruitment team.

Job overview

 As part of our workforce transformation plan, the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust is continuing to increase the number of Nursing Associates within the organisation.

The Nursing Associate is a fast evolving role, which was developed to bridge the gap between the Registered Nurse and the Health Care Assistant (HCA). Apprentices will undertake a two-year programme, which will support them to attain the skills and knowledge to enable them to provide high quality, compassionate care to our patients.

Throughout the apprenticeship, the student will be working at a higher level than a HCA and on completion will attain registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. The training programme combines both academic and work-based learning across a range of healthcare settings.

Apprentices will be based in one main ward / department and are expected to work a variety of shifts including nights, long days and weekends. They will also be required to gain experience working in a variety of health and social care settings. These placements will be both within and external to the Trust so Student Nursing Associates must be able and willing to travel as required and work different shift patterns according to the placement area.

Academically; apprentices will undertake a level 5 Apprenticeship (Nursing Associate) / Foundation Degree with University of West London (UWL) and will be released for study days as per the UWL programme.

 

Main duties of the job

We are looking for highly motivated, enthusiastic and resilient individuals to help us continue to develop this exciting role in the Trust and commence the academic programme in 2025.

We will be accepting applications from individuals who are currently employed within the organisation, and those employed externally. Successful applicants will be required to complete the Care Certificate prior to commencing the Nursing Associate programme if they have not already. 

We are looking to recruit Student Nursing Associates for a variety of ward areas/ departments. Applicants are asked to indicate their preferred ward / department at interview.

On selection of application, candidates will be invited to undertake an interview held jointly with University of West London via MS Teams - Interviews dates to be confirmed.

 

Working for our organisation

The Town of Reading sits on the River Thames and is served by great road and rail links to London, Oxford, and Southampton.

With excellent leisure and shopping facilities, and a thriving cultural scene, Reading is a wonderful place to live, work, and play and provides excellent facilities for families, including some of the best state and private schools in the UK.

 The CQC recently rated the care provided by The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust as good.


Our values; Compassionate, Aspirational, Resourceful, Excellent, reflect the type of Trust we aspire to be, and you can join our dedicated and talented staff to make this happen.

 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Essential criteria are outlined in the job description but include the following:

 Applicants must hold GSCE Maths & English qualifications at grade 4-9/ A – C / the equivalent or level 2 functional skills.

 Applicants will be required to provide evidence of these qualifications in the form of certificates prior to being invited to the interview.

 Applicants must be able to work full time (37.5 hours per week)

 Provide evidence they meet the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) rules: Have the right to work in England and be one of the following: A citizen of a country within the European Economic Area (EEA) (including other countries determined within the EEA or those with bilateral agreements), or have the right of abode in the UK, and have been ordinarily resident in the EEA (including other countries determined within the EEA or those with bilateral agreements), for at least the previous three years on the first day of learning.

 OR a non-EEA citizen with permission from the UK government to live in the UK (not for educational purposes) and have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least the previous three years before the start of learning. Offers will be subject to reference, occupational health clearance, and DBS. Evidence is required for the apprenticeship standards (i.e. Maths and English certificates and residency in the UK for at least 3 years) Once invited to interview you will be required to upload your documents (certificates for English and Maths and passport/ proof of ID) to the University for checking.

Further information regarding the role of the Nursing Associate can be found at: https://www.nmc.org.uk/education/becoming-a-nurse-midwife-nursing-associate/becoming-a-nursing-associate/ Please ensure you include your full legal name and National Insurance Number on the application form. 

Further information regarding the apprenticeship programme at UWL can be found at:
https://www.uwl.ac.uk/course/undergraduate/adult-entry-point-registered-nursing-associates-0?start=301&option=35

For more information or to arrange an informal visit please contact

Ruth Francis, Practice Development Nurse on 0118 3227451 [email protected]

Abi Barnard, Practice Development Senior Staff Nurse on 01183228630 [email protected]

Abby Cooper, Lead Practice Development Nurse on 0118 3228034 [email protected]

 

Person specification

Education

Essential criteria
  • GCSEs Grade A-C in Maths and English or level 2 functional skills in Maths and English (certificates must be produced at time of selection).
  • Demonstrable ability to study at Level 5 Diploma of Higher Education Level and commit to completing the Foundation Degree programme.
Desirable criteria
  • Qualifications and Credit Framework Level 3 in Care or equivalent in terms of both academic attainment and previous care experience.
  • Care Certificate

Experience

Desirable criteria
  • Essential induction training and experience – care certificate or equivalent.
  • Previous experience of working within a health / care setting.
  • Completion of an HCA development programme.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

NHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Care quality commission - GoodMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Stonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.National Preceptorship for Nursing Quality Mark 2024

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Ruth Francis
Job title
Practice Development Nurse
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
0118 3227451
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