Specialist Practitioner Student – Health Visitor

Job overview

Are you interested in pursuing a career in the community as a Health Visitor, working with children and families to improve their health and well-being?

Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer suitable applicants, an exciting opportunity to develop their career by undertaking the Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (SCPHN) Health Visiting Course.  This is run as a joint programme between Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust and Bucks New University.  You will be paid a salary at Band 5, up to a maximum of £33,487. All university tuition fees are paid for you.

During the course your time will be split between practical training within a Health Visiting Team and academic study. The practice placements are offered in Bracknell Forest, Wokingham, Reading and West Berkshire.  The course commences in September 2026 and is currently offered on a full-time basis only. Please ensure that you indicate if you have commenced the course previously in another university and the reason you did not complete.  The course is run at Post Graduate Diploma - level 7. Detailed information about the courses can be found by accessing the university website or contacting them directly.

If you are interested in a career with BHFT as a Health Visitor, we offer support throughout your training, and there is a requirement to take a substantive post as a Health Visitor when you qualify for a minimum period of 2 years, subject to availability of vacant HV posts within BHFT.

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 HV works under the direction of the 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.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The “must haves” 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.

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.

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.

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 will be held on Friday 20th March 2026 and will be face to face. All arrangements will be communicated by email.