Specialist Practitioner Student – Health Visitor

Job overview

Our Health Visiting service is delighted to offer an exciting, paid and fully funded opportunity to train as a Health Visitor studying through the Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (SCPHN) course, in partnership with Bucks New University.

Starting in Sept 2025, this full-time program provides both academic study and hands-on learning through placements across Bracknell Forest, Wokingham, Reading, and West Berkshire.

You will divide your time between university, supervised community practice and study days. The course is well structured with interesting and relevant modules that link directly to the practical aspects of the role and you’ll be supported in placements by Berkshire Healthcare’s Health Visiting team and a Community Practice Assessor (CPA).

You’ll gain a postgraduate diploma and the in-depth grounding and required skills to support children’s development and give them the best start in life.

Upon qualifying, you’ll join us at BHFT as a Band 6 Health Visitor for a minimum of two years (subject to vacancy availability). You’ll work with children from birth to five years old and their families, providing essential support, assessing health needs, and monitoring growth and development.

Learn more about the program on the Bucks New University website.

Applications for this role will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible, as vacancies may close early.

Main duties of the job

• To complete the required further education at level 7 in order to provide and maintain a high standard of skilled Health Visiting practice for individuals, groups and communities in a variety of settings in accordance with the accredited faculty syllabus.
• The specialist practice student Health Visitor works under the direction of the Community Practice Assessor (CPA), who is a member of the locality Health Visiting Team. The student will work with the CPA’s or Supervisor’s client group under supervision.
• To work with CPA and university lecturers to reflect on academic learning and practice, contribute to assessment of progress, plan learning objectives and submit academic coursework according to university deadlines.
• To assess and re-assess care needs, develop, implement, and evaluate packages of care in liaison with and under the direct tutelage of the CPA / Supervisor.
• If you've previously started but not completed this course, please let us know in your application.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The  “must haves” for you to be considered for this role:

• Meet the university entrance requirements and be able to evidence the academic ability to study at a minimum of level 6.

• Current NMC Qualification as a nurse or midwife at time of application.

• Evidence of a period of completed preceptorship.
• A comprehensive understanding of Health Visiting and passion for working in the service.

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.

We’re committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don’t hesitate to call: Fiona Howell on 07768 987992 who’ll be delighted to help.

Applications must be made using NHS jobs website. By submitting your application via NHS Jobs, you consent to BHFT sharing your application form with Academic Colleagues at Bucks New University.

Interviews are held jointly with the university, will be held on Friday 29th November 2024 and will be face to face. All arrangements will be communicated by email.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.