Student Nursing Associate

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Job Overview
North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) is thrilled to invite passionate and driven individuals to join our February 2026 Student Nursing Associate (SNA) Apprenticeship Programme.

This exciting 2-year apprenticeship combines hands on clinical experience with high quality academic study, delivered in partnership with a leading local Higher Education Institute (HEI). You will acquire new knowledge and clinical skills learning from expert healthcare professionals and an established education team who are committed to supporting you throughout the apprenticeship programme.

We are looking for candidates who understand the role Nursing Associates play in relation to patient care.

On successful completion of the programme, you will achieve a Level 5 Foundation Science degree (FdSc) and become eligible to register with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) as a Nursing Associate.

All applicants (where applicable) must be current employees of North Bristol NHS Trust on a substantive contract. They must have been resident in the UK for three years prior to commencing their apprenticeship as set out by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA). Additionally, a visa needs to be in place for the length of the apprenticeship programme.
Interviews will be in person in the week commencing 3rd November 2025 at Southmead Hospital.
Main duties of the job

During the apprenticeship programme, you will gain essential knowledge and develop practical skills as a Student Nursing Associate. You will work under the supervision of a Registered Nurse to deliver holistic, person‑centred care across a range of health and social care settings. The programme combines academic study at university with clinical placements and workplace learning, so you will need excellent organisation and time management skills to balance both components effectively.

Further details can be found in the job description and person specification.

Working for our organisation

North Bristol NHS Trust employs over 12,000 staff providing healthcare to the residents of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset from our award-winning hospital building at Southmead. We are the regional Major Trauma Centre, and an internationally recognised centre of excellence in a range of services and major specialities. Our vision is that by enabling our teams to be the best that they can be, we will provide an outstanding patient experience.

North Bristol NHS Trust values all people as individuals. We aim to be an anti-discriminatory organisation and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We welcome applicants from all underrepresented groups.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
Clinical

• Deliver quality safe patient care, adhering to Trust policies.
• As appropriate work under supervision to participate in assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of patient care. Report findings as required.
• When appropriately trained undertake clinical competencies within scope of practice.
• Deliver safe quality patient care.
• Follow verbal and written instructions.
• Report verbally and document in a timely manner change/s in a patients' health.
• Communicate effectively with the immediate and wider clinical teams.
• Communicate effectively with patients/carers and relatives.
• In all actions undertaken adhere to local Trust policies and procedures.
• Understand and promote health education applicable to the workplace.
• Be aware of safeguarding processes, their implementation and action to be taken if appropriate.
• Undertake relevant training to assess and support junior staff.
• Awareness that continual assessment will occur in clinical practice to ensure completion of required learning outcomes.

Environment Support

• Awareness and understanding of health and safety process and procedures in relation to self, patient care, colleagues and the working environment.

Professional

• Be familiar with relevant Trust policies and procedures and where current information can be accessed
• Work within the SNA scope of practice
• Uphold the Nursing Midwifery Council Code of Conduct
• Respect the privacy, dignity, and confidentiality of all patients and those involved in their care
• Understand the implications of your own actions and the accountability held
• Responsible for completing and passing mandatory training requirements in line with Trust policy and role of the SNA
• Work with your manager to formulate a personal development plan and understand and be part of your annual appraisal.
• Understand the SNA role in relation to safeguarding and the reporting mechanisms
• Actively seek learning opportunities to enhance own learning as identified within the SNA programme

Administration

• Proficient to use information and technology as required in relation to patient care, data collection, and reporting
• Understand the importance of following correct procedures and completion of relevant paperwork in relation to health and safety and incident reporting
• Active involvement of duties related to sourcing/ordering resources as appropriate.

Person specification

Education/Experience/knowlege/skills
Essential criteria

• Maths: GCSE (Grade A-C /4-9) or functional skills level 2 or equivalent
• English: GCSE (Grade A-C / 4-9) or functional skills level 2 or equivalent
• Completed level 3 NVQ /QCF/BTEC or equivalent
• Demonstrated competence in delivery of fundamental nursing care
• Understanding of the SNA apprenticeship programme
• Understanding the role of the Nursing Associate in context of the team and the wider organisation
• Disclosure and Barring service (DBS) check dated within the previous 12 months
• Understanding the role of the Nursing Midwifery Council in relation to the SNA position

Desirable criteria

• Experience working in an acute healthcare setting
• Evidence of recent work-based learning or self-directed learning
• Evidence of supporting other learners/staff where appropriate to role
• Care Certificate
• Knowledge and understanding of evidenced based practice

If you apply for this vacancy and have not received a communication from North Bristol NHS Trust within three weeks of the closing date, please assume that on this occasion your application has been unsuccessful.

Please note that North Bristol NHS Trust does not reimburse travel expenses relating to interview attendance.

If you feel you meet the requirements of the Disability Act / Two Ticks scheme and require further support/advice, please contact us on tel

North Bristol NHS Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

The successful applicant(s) will normally commence at the minimum of the scale unless they have previous NHS service at the same band. Progression through the scale is by annual increments.

At North Bristol Trust (NBT), we know diverse and inclusive environments lead to happier and healthier teams and improved patient care and outcomes. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are currently underrepresented in NBT's workforce at Band 8a and above. These include people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people and LGBTQIA+ people.

Please note that stringent pre-employment checks are undertaken on all successful applicants prior to commencement in post.