Job summary
Wye Valley NHS Trust, is offering eligible staff the opportunity, to apply to the 2 year Student Nursing Associate (SNA) apprenticeship with the University of Worcester, to commence September 2026.
The apprentice will work towards progression into the post of Nursing Associate (NA) through successful completion of the NA Apprenticeship which includes the attainment of a level 5 Foundation Degree qualification.
This opportunity is suitable for Internal Wye Valley NHS staff who meet the following requirements:
- HaveEnglish and Maths GCSE C/4 or above, or equivalent, or English and Maths Level 2 Functional Skills- MUST provide evidence in the form of a certificate.
- Hold the values and behaviours required for the NA Apprenticeship.
- Are prepared to work a minimum contract of 30 hours per week.
- Have lived in England for the last 3 years.
-
Have a Level 3 qualification-MUST provide evidence in the form of a certificate. If you do not have this level of qualification, but have experience in a healthcare role the University of Worcester are supporting an essay route onto this programme. For more information and support with this please contact: apprenticeships@wvt.nhs.uk (essay submission for this route: 24/05/26 ).
- Have written support from your current line manager. Details provided on receipt of application and must be received by the date below.
All evidence is to be submitted by 05/04/26. Failure to submit by this date will lead to your application being rejected.
Main duties of the job
The apprentice will develop and maintain knowledge, skills and competencies related to the role of Nursing Associate within the service and through completion of the Nursing Associate apprenticeship which includes working in care settings and delivery of person-centred care in accordance with the NMC Standards of proficiency 2018.
The apprentice will be required to achieve the practical and academic standards as set out by the NMC, The University of Worcester, and the Institute of Apprenticeships. On successful completion of the apprenticeship the apprentice will be able to join the NMC Register as a Registered Nurse Associate.
A Student Nursing Associate will be based, in a specific setting, but will experience practice placements in alternative settings. During the practice placements the apprentice will experience working across both internal and potentially external placements to gain an appreciation of the different areas of local healthcare service and meet the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) requirements, which also includes working flexibly during practice placements to align with the shift patterns of the practice placement.
As an apprentice they will remain an employee of the Trust. Therefore, they are expected to work within and adhere to Trust Policies and Procedures at all times.
About us
Wye Valley NHS Trust is a member of an NHS Foundation Group with South Warwickshire NHS FT , the George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust and Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.
Located on the border with Wales in the shadow of the Black Mountains, we provide acute and community services across Herefordshire and into parts of Powys and run Hereford County Hospital and the community hospitals in Bromyard, Leominster and Ross-on-Wye.
We are a progressive and forward looking trust with ambitious plans to improve quality and integrate patient pathways through close collaborative working with our partners to deliver the quality of care we'd want for our family and friends.
More than 3,500 people work for the Trust - they tell us it's a great place to work, blending the busyness of a DGH with the benefits of working in a beautiful rural and unspoilt county like Herefordshire.
We can offer a great work-life balance and have a fine tradition of working with staff to help them achieve their full potential.
Russell Hardy, Trust Chairman: "The strength of the Trust is its amazing staff; a great place to work, a great place to develop your career and a great place to reach your potential."
Our values -Care, Accountability, Respect and Excellence - are at the heart of all we do. We believe in providing the right care in the right place at the right time...all the time.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To view detailed job description and main responsibilities, please view supporting information linked to this vacancy
PLEASE NOTE:
Prior to application please ensure you can evidence all requirements prior to interview. Failure to provide evidence of qualifications will result in your application not progressing onto the next stage. If you are currently studying towards the required qualifications linked to this training opportunity please make contact with us to confirm your eligibility.
You will be required to submit your certificates as evidence of qualifications via email as instructed by the recruitment team by the 5th April 2026.
To stand the best chance of being shortlisted you need to demonstrate that you have the skills and experience stipulated within the person specification, and provide clear examples within the supporting information section.
Recruitment support:
The trust is providing support with application writing. Teams sessions have been arranged on:
Tuesday 17th March 15:00-16:00
Wednesday 18th March 10:00-11:00
Monday 23rd March 13:00-14:00
Thursday 26th March 10:00-11:00
Please contact apprenticeships@wvt.nhs.uk to receive the Teams link to join the meeting.
Recruitment information sessions are also being held by the University of Worcester team. These sessions are informal, optional, and designed for you to join whenever you need support. Each session lasts no longer than one hour.
You may find these sessions helpful if you want guidance on the following:
Preparing for your apprenticeship
Understanding expectations and next steps
Completing required documents
Asking questions about the process
Getting general support or reassurance before you begin
These sessions will be held on:
11/03/2026 9-10am
09/04/2026 10-11am
16/04/2026 2-3pm
05/05/2026 1:30-2:30pm
14/05/2026 10-11am
Please contact apprenticeships@wvt.nhs.uk to receive the Teams link to join the meeting.
Please do not delay in submitting your application as this vacancy may close early due to a result of high level of applications and limited opportunities available.
Interviews will be held on Tuesday 16th June 2026- Interviewers will be from our Wye Valley NHS Trust nursing team and the University of Worcester Foundation Degree Nursing Associate programme team.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To view detailed job description and main responsibilities, please view supporting information linked to this vacancy
PLEASE NOTE:
Prior to application please ensure you can evidence all requirements prior to interview. Failure to provide evidence of qualifications will result in your application not progressing onto the next stage. If you are currently studying towards the required qualifications linked to this training opportunity please make contact with us to confirm your eligibility.
You will be required to submit your certificates as evidence of qualifications via email as instructed by the recruitment team by the 5th April 2026.
To stand the best chance of being shortlisted you need to demonstrate that you have the skills and experience stipulated within the person specification, and provide clear examples within the supporting information section.
Recruitment support:
The trust is providing support with application writing. Teams sessions have been arranged on:
Tuesday 17th March 15:00-16:00
Wednesday 18th March 10:00-11:00
Monday 23rd March 13:00-14:00
Thursday 26th March 10:00-11:00
Please contact apprenticeships@wvt.nhs.uk to receive the Teams link to join the meeting.
Recruitment information sessions are also being held by the University of Worcester team. These sessions are informal, optional, and designed for you to join whenever you need support. Each session lasts no longer than one hour.
You may find these sessions helpful if you want guidance on the following:
Preparing for your apprenticeship
Understanding expectations and next steps
Completing required documents
Asking questions about the process
Getting general support or reassurance before you begin
These sessions will be held on:
11/03/2026 9-10am
09/04/2026 10-11am
16/04/2026 2-3pm
05/05/2026 1:30-2:30pm
14/05/2026 10-11am
Please contact apprenticeships@wvt.nhs.uk to receive the Teams link to join the meeting.
Please do not delay in submitting your application as this vacancy may close early due to a result of high level of applications and limited opportunities available.
Interviews will be held on Tuesday 16th June 2026- Interviewers will be from our Wye Valley NHS Trust nursing team and the University of Worcester Foundation Degree Nursing Associate programme team.
Person Specification
Education & Qualfications
Essential
- GCSEs Grade C/4 or above in Maths and English or Functional skills level 2 in Maths and English
- Qualifications and Credit Framework Level 3 in Care or equivalent in terms of both academic attainment and previous care experience
- Essential induction training and experience - Care Certificate or equivalent
Other Factors
Essential
- Ability to move between sites working across health and social care as required by the needs of the development programme
Skills, Knowledge & Abilities
Essential
- Demonstrable ability to study towards Level 5 Diploma of Higher Education and commit to completing the Foundation Degree programme
- Understanding of the scope of the role of the Nursing Associate in context of the team and the organisation, and how the role may contribute to service development
- Ability to take part in reflective practice and clinical supervision activities
- IT skills including word processing, accessing online content
- Ability to communicate with members of the public and health and care providers
Desirable
- Understanding of basic physiology, e.g. normal vital signs, fluid balance, nutritional requirements etc.
- Understanding of evidence based practice
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of time management skills and ability to prioritise
- Knowledge of when to seek advice and refer to a registered care professional
Desirable
- Evidence of involvement in support / development of less experienced staff
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Ability to work effectively as a team player under appropriate supervision, and as part of a multi-disciplinary team
- Insight into how to evaluate own strengths and development needs, seeking advice where appropriate
- Lived and worked in the UK for a minimum of the last 3 years
Person Specification
Education & Qualfications
Essential
- GCSEs Grade C/4 or above in Maths and English or Functional skills level 2 in Maths and English
- Qualifications and Credit Framework Level 3 in Care or equivalent in terms of both academic attainment and previous care experience
- Essential induction training and experience - Care Certificate or equivalent
Other Factors
Essential
- Ability to move between sites working across health and social care as required by the needs of the development programme
Skills, Knowledge & Abilities
Essential
- Demonstrable ability to study towards Level 5 Diploma of Higher Education and commit to completing the Foundation Degree programme
- Understanding of the scope of the role of the Nursing Associate in context of the team and the organisation, and how the role may contribute to service development
- Ability to take part in reflective practice and clinical supervision activities
- IT skills including word processing, accessing online content
- Ability to communicate with members of the public and health and care providers
Desirable
- Understanding of basic physiology, e.g. normal vital signs, fluid balance, nutritional requirements etc.
- Understanding of evidence based practice
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of time management skills and ability to prioritise
- Knowledge of when to seek advice and refer to a registered care professional
Desirable
- Evidence of involvement in support / development of less experienced staff
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Ability to work effectively as a team player under appropriate supervision, and as part of a multi-disciplinary team
- Insight into how to evaluate own strengths and development needs, seeking advice where appropriate
- Lived and worked in the UK for a minimum of the last 3 years
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.
