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Job summary

Main area
Learning Disabilities
Grade
Band 3
Contract
Fixed term: 24 months (Fixed)
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
351-E-APP-CS2667-GT-A
Employer
Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Whalley Learning Disability Inpatient Services
Town
Clitheroe
Salary
£24,071 - £25,674 Per Annum (subject to confirmation)
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
03/01/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust logo

Trainee Nursing Associate Apprentice

Band 3

Our Vision is to provide the best mental health, learning disability, autism and community based services for the populations we serve.

As an integrated mental health, learning disability and community Trust, Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust provides a range of services including:

•    Primary and secondary mental health care for children and adults including specialist inpatient child and adolescent mental health provision, perinatal mental health, forensic services including low and medium secure care.
•    Specialist community support for children and adults with learning disabilities and autism, including intensive support.
•    Community physical health and well-being services for children and adults.

The Trust was first established in 2002 and employs approximately 7,000 staff who provide care from more than 400 sites. The organisation offers opportunities for medics, mental health and general nurses, allied health professionals, psychology, administration and clerical staff, apprentices and volunteers.

Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust supports flexible working, we believe that a positive work/life balance benefits NHS employees through improved health and wellbeing. We would consider working patterns such as; term time, part time, compressed hours, home/remote working, and flexi-time.

For more information visit our website via Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS FT.

Job overview

Are you looking to start an exciting and rewarding career as a Nursing Associate and have a passion for delivering high-quality care within the Learning Disability service? 

We are running our 16th cohort of Trainee Nursing Associate Apprentices, working in partnership with the University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN) / the University of Cumbria. 

These posts are apprenticeship posts commencing on the March 2025 cohort, which will see you develop to a NMC registered Nursing Associate, completing a 2 year foundation degree training programme. The course is fully funded. 

Internal candidates will be on a 2 year Trust Secondment contract
External Candidates will be a 2 year fixed term contract.

This post is specifically for Whalley Learning Disability Inpatient Services, Mitton Road Whalley, Clitheroe, Lancashire, BB7 9PE

Main duties of the job

As a trainee you will be based within clinical practice for the duration of the programme and will have study leave to attend University. You will rotate through different services within your speciality / service area (where applicable) and undertake block placements outside of your normal place of work, to gain a breadth of experience and skills.  

Some travel is required so you must either be a car driver or be prepared to access public transport when on placement. You could be expected to travel up to 90 minutes each way to placement and work shifts and weekends.

You will need to demonstrate an understanding of learning disability healthcare and the role of a Nursing Associate and show evidence of being an effective communicator with the people you care for, their families and carers, as well as your colleagues and superiors.

You will need to be prepared to work hard and undertake study in your own time, while on the programme; learning the fundamentals of exceptional care and developing your depth of knowledge around important aspects of both physical and mental health. In addition you will be taught many clinical skills which will be required when you become a registered Nursing Associate.

Interviews will be held on 17th January 2025 at Whalley, Woodview. 

Working for our organisation

The training provider will require evidence of:

  • Being a full time ordinary resident in the UK for 3 consecutive years or more prior to the course start date (unless otherwise exempt from this rule – for example you hold refugee status – use the link below to see full list of exemptions) Residency for the purposes of education is not eligible.
  • Residency to live and work in the UK for at least 1 year from the apprenticeship start date and must cover the entire course duration including the EPA period.

We advise that you check https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apprenticeship-funding-rules-for-employer-providers/annex-a-eligibility-criteria-who-we-fund for more details on your visa’s eligibility to undertake an apprenticeship course prior to applying. Please be advised that Sponsorship cannot be offered for any apprenticeship roles.

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust provides a range of services including secondary mental health care across this area. Specialist provision comprises inpatient child and adolescent mental health services, perinatal mental health and forensic services including low and medium secure care.

The Trust also provides a range of physical health and well-being services in the community alongside a range of partners in the Lancashire, Cumbria and Sefton area.

For more information, please visit our website via Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS FT.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

In order to apply for the course you will need to have:

1)    Maths and English (See acceptable qualifications below)
2)    48 UCAS Points
3)    12 months health care experience

The entry criteria for the course are the following qualifications:

Maths & English at:
•    GCSE English and Maths (grade C or 4 and above) (University of Cumbria do not accept Literature)
•    Level 2 Functional skills Maths
•    Level 2 Functional skills English
•    Key Skills Level 2 application of number or numeracy (Pass)
•    Key Skills Level 2 Communication (Pass)
•    CSE (Grade 1) Maths
•    CSE (Grade 1) English
•    Level 2 certificates (Grade C or 4 and above)
•    Core maths level 3 (Grade E or above)
•    Pre U Certificate (P3 or above)
•    Freestanding Mathematics - Foundations of Advanced Mathematics (Grade C)

If you do not have maths and English or original certificates, you will either not be shortlisted and/or you will not be offered an interview. These will be requested and validated, prior to receiving an interview slot.

48 UCAS Points:
Have 48 UCAS points such as:
•    A-Levels
•    Diploma
•    Foundation degree / Degree
•    Level 4 NVQ
•    BTEC (Dependant on the level)
If you do not have the above our Universities will accept the following qualifications with 12 months health care experience:
•    NVQ Level 3 + 12 months care experience
•    NVQ Level 2 + 12 months care experience (UCLAN only)
•    Care Certificate + 12 months care experience (UCLAN only)

YOU MUST HAVE THE ORIGINAL CERTIFICATES.
You must have the Original certificates for Maths, English and any qualifications needed to meet the entry requirements. Transcripts will not be accepted.

You must also clearly put Maths, English and other qualifications, with your type/level of qualification, grade and date achieved, on you application form in order to be shortlisted.

All current apprenticeships must be completed in full, including your end point assessment, to enrol onto this Trainee Nursing Associate apprenticeship.

For internal candidates – you will need to have agreement from your manager to apply for this post, which will be verified if successful. As you will be on a Trust secondment contract, in the event of needing to withdraw from the programme. 

On successful completion of the course you will be placed into a permanent band 4 Nursing Associate role within the Trust. 

During training you will be paid a Band 3 and there will be an expectation to work 37.5 hours.

If successful in securing a place on the course you WILL NOT be eligible for student finance.

Those with previous NHS service may be eligible for provision of basic pay preservation as outlined in the NHS Terms and Conditions of Service (TCS) Handbook.  Eligibility will be assessed on an individual basis. Further information on eligibility and terms can be found on the following link - Apprenticeship pay guidance and FAQs | NHS Employers

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • GCSEs Grade A-C in Maths and English (or equivalent CSE / O Level), functional skills or key skills level 2 in Maths and English (must have proof of qualification)
  • Demonstrable ability to study at Level 5 Diploma of Higher Education Level and commit to completing the Foundation Degree programme to demonstrate a minimum of achievement of 48 UCAS points

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Insight into how to evaluate own strengths and development needs, seeking advice where appropriate
  • Understanding of the NMC Code of conduct and how it applies to the Nursing Associate role

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Previous experience of working within a health / care setting (minimum of 12 months) relevant to the post you are applying for
  • Ability to deal with non-routine and unpredictable nature of the workload and individual patient contact
  • Ability to work effectively as a team player under appropriate supervision, and as part of a multi-disciplinary team
  • Evidence of time management skills and ability to prioritise

Personal

Essential criteria
  • Courteous, respectful and helpful at all times
  • Ability to move between sites working across health and social care as required by the needs of the development programme

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerCare Leaver CovenantStep into healthDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - Gold

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
Stuart Sheridan
Job title
Recruiting Manager
Telephone number
07950 866716
Additional information

Please contact Stuart Sheridan on the details provided, or contact Amy Shaw -  07971 337244 for an informal chat about the role. 

 

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