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Job summary

Main area
Apprenticeships
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 3
Contract
25 months (End Date: 30th April 2028. A 25 month fixed term training contract.)
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Shift working pattern over a seven day week)
Job ref
311-H856-25
Employer
Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Across Pennine Care NHS FT
Town
Ashton-under-Lyne
Salary
£24,937 - £26,598 per annum, pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
23/11/2025 23:59
Interview date
04/12/2025

Employer heading

Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust logo

Student Nursing Associate Apprenticeship

NHS AfC: Band 3

 

If you are Kind, Fair, Ingenious and Determined then we want you to come and join our #PennineCarePeople

https://www.penninecare.nhs.uk/values

 

Job overview

Looking to start your career in Nursing? We provide resources to help you apply and prepare for your SNA interview. Please complete this short form to access these support materials.

The Apprenticeship programme leads to a Foundation Degree as a Nursing Associate, with tuition fees fully funded. This programme combines academic learning with hands-on experience across physical, psychological, and public health care—from pre-conception to end of life.

All successful clinical candidates will be employed on a fixed-term contract for 25 months.

What qualifications do you need for this Apprenticeship role?

  • Essential:
    • GCSEs Grade C or above in Maths and English Language
    • OR New GCSE Grade 4–9 in Maths and English Language
    • OR Functional Skills Level 2 in Maths and English (not Entry Level 2)
  • Important: Educational certificates must be shown at interview. Transcripts or provisional statements of results will not be accepted.
  • If you have already achieved a Level 4 qualification, you must provide copies of certificates at interview.

Shortlisted candidates will be informed after 27th November 2025.

In person assessment centre expected to be on or around 4th and 5th December. 

Main duties of the job

The Nursing Associate role bridges the gap between a support worker and a Registered Nurse, creating a skilled workforce for future healthcare.

The programme includes multiple clinical placements, such as:

  • Adult, Mental Health, Child, and Learning Disability
  • Care at home, close to home, and within hospital settings

The programme starts on 9 March 2026. SNAs will rotate through placements within Pennine Care and may need to undertake placements in neighboring organizations to gain experience in areas such as adult physical health. Academic learning will be delivered by the University of Salford.

Time commitment:

  • 80% clinical work
  • 20% academic study (one day per week, block release, or a mix of both)

You must demonstrate the ability to study at Diploma level and commit to completing a Foundation Degree Apprenticeship.

  • Healthcare experience is an advantage but not essential.
  • Intermediate IT skills are required.

Working for our organisation

We are proud to provide high quality mental health and learning disability services, both inpatient and in the community across five boroughs of Greater Manchester - Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport and Tameside and Glossop.

Our vision is for a happier and more hopeful life for everyone in our communities and our staff work hard to deliver the very best care for the people who use our services. Were really proud of our #PennineCarePeople and do everything we can to make sure were a great place to work.

All individuals regardless of race, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership are encouraged to apply for this post. We would also encourage applications from individuals with a lived experience of mental illness, either individually or as a carer.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Eligibility for Non-UK Nationals

If you are a Non-UK National applicant, you must meet the eligibility criteria and settlement requirements for apprenticeship course funding. Your settlement status will need to be verified by the apprenticeship provider before you can formally enrol.

The training provider will require evidence of:

  • Visa duration – your visa must cover the entire length of the course.
  • Residency – you must have lived in the UK for a minimum of 3 years prior to enrolment.

This role may be eligible for sponsorship in certain circumstances. For more details, please refer to:
https://www.gov.uk/health-care-worker-visa/your-job 

Person specification

Education / Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • GCSEs Grade C or above in Maths and English Language / New GCSE Grade 4-9 in Maths and English Language or Functional Skills Level 2 in Maths and English or Equivalent (not entry level 2)
  • Commit to completing the Foundation Degree Apprenticeship programme
Desirable criteria
  • Holds NVQ level 2 in Care or care certificate
  • Completion of an HCA development programme or Evidence of recent work-based learning or self-directed learning
  • Qualifications and Credit Framework Level 3 in Care or equivalent in terms of both academic attainment and previous care experience

Experience

Desirable criteria
  • Essential induction training and experience – care certificate or equivalent in a previous organisation
  • Previous experience of working within a health / care setting

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • 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
  • Insight into how to evaluate own strengths and development needs, seeking advice where appropriate
  • Evidence of time management skills and ability to prioritise
  • Knowledge of when to seek advice and refer to a registered care professional
  • Understanding of the importance of the promotion of health and well being (Making Every Contact Count)
Desirable criteria
  • Understanding of evidence based practice
  • Understanding of basic physiology, e.g. normal vital signs, fluid balance nutritional requirements etc.
  • Evidence of involvement in support / development of less experienced staff

Skills and Abilities

Essential criteria
  • Demonstrable ability to study at Level 5 Diploma of Higher Education Level
  • Ability to work effectively as a team player under appropriate supervision, and as part of a multidisciplinary team
  • Intermediate IT skills
  • Ability to communicate with members of the public and health and care providers
  • Caring and compassionate
  • Courteous, respectful and helpful at all times
  • Ability to deal with nonroutine and unpredictable nature of the workload and individual patient contact
  • Ability to move between sites working across health and social care as required by the needs of the development programme
  • Ability to work on own initiative
  • Ability to take part in reflective practice and clinical supervision activities

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Veteran AwareNo smoking policyDisability confident employerNorth West BAME

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
Emilda Babu
Job title
Apprentice Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Additional information

You can also contact:

Nicola Burgess - Apprenticeship Team Leader

[email protected]  

Lizzie Spence - Student nurse associate facilitator 

[email protected]

Mollie Prendergast - Student nurse associate facilitator 

[email protected]

Ready to take the next step? Apply now and join our team of #PennineCarePeople.

 

 

 

 

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