Job summary
Would you like to further your nursing or midwifery career and work in the community to support children, young people and families in the development and delivery of services to address health inequalities? Would you like to be part of a progressive and forward thinking Public Health Nursing team where prevention and early intervention are key?
Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust (HCT or the Trust), Children's Universal Services, are pleased to offer training for the role of Student Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (School Nurse). The full time course will start on 1 September 2025 (University of Hertfordshire) or 8 September 2025 (Brunel University London).
This vacancy is only available for applicants who already hold a nursing or midwifery qualification with current NMC registration.
The 2025 SCPHN Programme is only available to study at level 7 and as per the new NMC standards; you must be a qualified nurse/midwife with a minimum of 6 months experience before applying.
Dependent on your base location, there may be a high-cost area supplement of 5% of basic salary per annum.
A full valid driving license and access to a car to use for business purposes is essential (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010). This role will require you to drive within Hertfordshire on a daily basis.
Main duties of the job
HCT has an excellent reputation for training school nurses. We have been recognised by Health Education England for our outstanding contribution to the recruitment and training of public health nurses. The Trust also provides a supportive preceptorship programme for one year post qualification.
HCT is the principal provider of community-based healthcare services to the 1.2 million population of Hertfordshire. The Trust is rated as 'Good' by the Care Quality Commission.
If you would like further insight into the role of a public health nurse, we encourage you to contact us and arrange to spend some time in practice with one of our practice assessors. This will provide you with an opportunity to develop your understanding as well as ask questions in an informal setting.
Please contactkathryn.oxley@nhs.net and advise her of your name and the area within Hertfordshire that you would like to visit.
About us
A big thank you for considering joining us at Hertfordshire Community NHS TrustYou'll find it a great place to work with many benefits offered to you as a member of our staffWe put our patients, their families and carers at the centre of our vision - Outstanding Services and Healthier CommunitiesOur staff are proud to be Innovative, Caring and Agile in their work to help achieve the Trust visionWe welcome diversity in our workforce and are interested in applicants from all backgrounds and agesWe don't want you to miss out so we'd like you to know that if we have a high level of interest in this role, the vacancy may close prior to the advertised closing date, so please make your application as soon as possible - Apply nowYou've made a great decision to apply to join to HCT - we're looking forward to taking the next steps of the journey with you.
Word versions of documents are available if needed to allow for any adaptations to be made i.e. font, colour, background, convert to Read Aloud.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Application Process (please read carefully):
Personal Statement - You are required to write a personal statement in the Supporting Information area of the application form. You should use this to demonstrate excellent written and communication skills. Please also refer to the person specification to ensure that you fully address all of the essential criteria. We want to know why you are the best person for this role. When discussing your aptitudes, you should state how they are relevant to current public health nursing practice. You must be clear about the career pathway you are applying for and you must demonstrate good knowledge of the role.
Please keep within the word limit of 750 words. If you exceed the word count the shortlisting panel will not read or consider any text beyond 750 words. Please ensure you also state which University you would like to be considered for i.e. University of Hertfordshire or Brunel University London.
This is a full time position for the year of training and annual leave is only permitted within specific time periods.
Closing Date - The closing date for applications is midnight on 13th May 2025.
Shortlisting After the closing date all applications are processed and shortlisted for interview. We are aiming to provide a response via email by 15th May 2025. Shortlisted candidates will be informed first.
Interviews - If shortlisted you must be available to attend your interview as follows:
- 1-hour interview to be held face to face at Robertson House, Stevenage on 4th June 2025 (MS Teams options will only be considered in exceptional circumstances).
We will contact you via email to advise the time of your interview.
HCT will conduct joint interviews with the University of Hertfordshire and Brunel University London. The process will include a formal interview which will last 40 minutes (including a 10 minute presentation). The interview panel will consist of University Lead, Professional and Education Leads for Public Health Nursing (HCT). Sponsorship by HCT will only be offered on acceptance from the University of Hertfordshire/Brunel University London of your educational suitability.
Under the NHS terms and conditions of employment, trainees are paid at the pay band assessed under the NHS Job Evaluation Scheme for the role undertaken whilst training. Specialist Community Practitioner Student (School Nurse) training role has been evaluated at band 5 in accordance with HCTs terms and conditions of appointment guidelines.
Internal staff wishing to train in a different specialty (e.g. a current HCT adult community nurse wishing to train as a public health nurse) will not be seconded and must resign from their current position.
There is no guarantee of a band 6 post on completion of training. However, within the contract you will be expected to apply for available public health nursing posts in Hertfordshire on qualifying and remain in post for 2 years.
The Trust will pay your course fees which includes, but is not limited to mandatory fees (including the index fee), practice assessor costs, travel expenses when in clinical placement only, recruitment and/or management support costs and other ancillary costs incurred to support you through the course as the Trust may decide (the Course Fees").
Unless there are exceptional circumstances (as decided by the Trust) you will be liable to pay back, within 2 years of completing the course, all or a proportion of the Course Fees (currently estimated to be £4000) to the Trust in the following circumstances:
a) if you cease employment before you attend the course but the Trust has already incurred liability for some or all of the Course Fees; or
b) if you cease employment prior to completing the course or fail to successfully complete the course; or
c) if you do not take up permanent employment within the Trust as a qualified public health nurse on successful completion of the course when positions were available: or
d) if you take up permanent employment within the trust but do not remain in employment for at least 24 months after the date on which you begin permanent employment.
Placements will be offered county wide and will be decided once all interviews have taken place. Please see the attached Locality map. Whilst we take into consideration where you live, placements may require you to travel anywhere in Hertfordshire. Prospective student applications will be shared with the University of Hertfordshire and all data will be shared with East of England SHA.
Any offer of permanent employment made by Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust will be subject to a contractual 26-week probationary period.
NB: If you have a Hotmail email account please check your "Junk Folder" as emails from NHS accounts are sometimes placed there and not in your inbox.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Application Process (please read carefully):
Personal Statement - You are required to write a personal statement in the Supporting Information area of the application form. You should use this to demonstrate excellent written and communication skills. Please also refer to the person specification to ensure that you fully address all of the essential criteria. We want to know why you are the best person for this role. When discussing your aptitudes, you should state how they are relevant to current public health nursing practice. You must be clear about the career pathway you are applying for and you must demonstrate good knowledge of the role.
Please keep within the word limit of 750 words. If you exceed the word count the shortlisting panel will not read or consider any text beyond 750 words. Please ensure you also state which University you would like to be considered for i.e. University of Hertfordshire or Brunel University London.
This is a full time position for the year of training and annual leave is only permitted within specific time periods.
Closing Date - The closing date for applications is midnight on 13th May 2025.
Shortlisting After the closing date all applications are processed and shortlisted for interview. We are aiming to provide a response via email by 15th May 2025. Shortlisted candidates will be informed first.
Interviews - If shortlisted you must be available to attend your interview as follows:
- 1-hour interview to be held face to face at Robertson House, Stevenage on 4th June 2025 (MS Teams options will only be considered in exceptional circumstances).
We will contact you via email to advise the time of your interview.
HCT will conduct joint interviews with the University of Hertfordshire and Brunel University London. The process will include a formal interview which will last 40 minutes (including a 10 minute presentation). The interview panel will consist of University Lead, Professional and Education Leads for Public Health Nursing (HCT). Sponsorship by HCT will only be offered on acceptance from the University of Hertfordshire/Brunel University London of your educational suitability.
Under the NHS terms and conditions of employment, trainees are paid at the pay band assessed under the NHS Job Evaluation Scheme for the role undertaken whilst training. Specialist Community Practitioner Student (School Nurse) training role has been evaluated at band 5 in accordance with HCTs terms and conditions of appointment guidelines.
Internal staff wishing to train in a different specialty (e.g. a current HCT adult community nurse wishing to train as a public health nurse) will not be seconded and must resign from their current position.
There is no guarantee of a band 6 post on completion of training. However, within the contract you will be expected to apply for available public health nursing posts in Hertfordshire on qualifying and remain in post for 2 years.
The Trust will pay your course fees which includes, but is not limited to mandatory fees (including the index fee), practice assessor costs, travel expenses when in clinical placement only, recruitment and/or management support costs and other ancillary costs incurred to support you through the course as the Trust may decide (the Course Fees").
Unless there are exceptional circumstances (as decided by the Trust) you will be liable to pay back, within 2 years of completing the course, all or a proportion of the Course Fees (currently estimated to be £4000) to the Trust in the following circumstances:
a) if you cease employment before you attend the course but the Trust has already incurred liability for some or all of the Course Fees; or
b) if you cease employment prior to completing the course or fail to successfully complete the course; or
c) if you do not take up permanent employment within the Trust as a qualified public health nurse on successful completion of the course when positions were available: or
d) if you take up permanent employment within the trust but do not remain in employment for at least 24 months after the date on which you begin permanent employment.
Placements will be offered county wide and will be decided once all interviews have taken place. Please see the attached Locality map. Whilst we take into consideration where you live, placements may require you to travel anywhere in Hertfordshire. Prospective student applications will be shared with the University of Hertfordshire and all data will be shared with East of England SHA.
Any offer of permanent employment made by Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust will be subject to a contractual 26-week probationary period.
NB: If you have a Hotmail email account please check your "Junk Folder" as emails from NHS accounts are sometimes placed there and not in your inbox.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- Current NMC registration for nursing or midwifery
- Dip HE (or above) qualification equivalent to 120 Credits level 5 (of the Higher Education Credit Framework for England) or evidence of previous education and learning. (60 credits can be APEL from community nursing experience).
- Basic IT
Desirable
Experience and knowledge
Essential
- Can demonstrate an awareness of current health policy
- Can demonstrate ability to impact on patient care
- Awareness of multi-disciplinary and inter-professional working
- Knowledge of the public health agenda
- Evidence of quality care assurance
Desirable
- Previous post registration experience
- Working in community
- Working in primary care
- Able to demonstrate an insight into issues affecting primary care
- Evidence of using a PDSA model
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Able to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing
- Effective team player
- Able to problem solve
- Conflict resolution
- Able to respond and adapt to changing healthcare needs
Desirable
Other
Essential
- Hold a full, valid, UK driving licence and have access to a car to use for business purposes (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010)
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- Current NMC registration for nursing or midwifery
- Dip HE (or above) qualification equivalent to 120 Credits level 5 (of the Higher Education Credit Framework for England) or evidence of previous education and learning. (60 credits can be APEL from community nursing experience).
- Basic IT
Desirable
Experience and knowledge
Essential
- Can demonstrate an awareness of current health policy
- Can demonstrate ability to impact on patient care
- Awareness of multi-disciplinary and inter-professional working
- Knowledge of the public health agenda
- Evidence of quality care assurance
Desirable
- Previous post registration experience
- Working in community
- Working in primary care
- Able to demonstrate an insight into issues affecting primary care
- Evidence of using a PDSA model
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Able to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing
- Effective team player
- Able to problem solve
- Conflict resolution
- Able to respond and adapt to changing healthcare needs
Desirable
Other
Essential
- Hold a full, valid, UK driving licence and have access to a car to use for business purposes (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010)
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust
Address
You will be based in a HCT School Nursing team within Hertfordshire
Welwyn Garden City
AL7 1BW
Employer's website
https://www.hct.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)
