Student Nursing Associates (SNA)

Integrated Care System; Reading; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust is seeking Student Nursing Associates to bridge the gap between Registered Nurses and HCAs. This role involves a two-year apprenticeship with academic and practical training, requiring a genuine commitment to providing compassionate care. Successful candidates will work across wards and departments, earning a level 5 qualification while developing their nursing careers.

Qualifications

• Holders of GCSEs in Maths & English or level 2 functional skills.
• Ability to study at Level 5 Diploma of Higher Education.
• Experience in a health/care setting.

Responsibilities

• Working full-time (37.5 hours per week) in various departments.
• Completing care and training requirements as per apprenticeship.
• Traveling for diverse placement opportunities.

Skills

Motivation

Enthusiasm

Resilience

Education

GCSE Maths & English at grade 4-9/A-C

Level 5 Diploma of Higher Education

Care Certificate

Job description

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.

About us

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.

Job 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 shortlisted and prior to being 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:

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:

For more information or to arrange an informal visit please contact

Ruth Francis, Practice Development Nurse on 0118 322 7451 [e-mail]

Abby Cooper, Lead Practice Development Nurse on 0118 322 8034 [e-mail]

Person Specification

Education

• 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.
• Qualifications and Credit Framework Level 3 in Care or equivalent in terms of both academic attainment and previous care experience.
• Care Certificate
• oCompletion of the T level in Health or a BTEC in Health and Social Care

Experience

• Essential induction training and experience - care certificate or equivalent.
• Previous experience of working within a health / care setting.

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.