NHS Lothian
Band 4 - Trainee Assistant Practitioner
Our Nursing and Midwifery Strategic Plan sets out our Vision, Ambitions and Values that enable excellent care as well as what you can expect from our organisation and what you can aspire to in your own career development. A collaborative, person focused approach is at the very centre of everything we aspire to achieve, and necessary to deliver care that is high quality, compassionate, safe and effective. We continue to work towards having a diverse and inclusive culture for people who work for us and use our services. We want everyone to realise their full potential and make a positive contribution. We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and communities. We are committed to supporting the development of a nursing and midwifery workforce that is made up of diverse skills and experiences. We are committed to providing the strong foundations of clinical education with our Clinical Education and Training team, our education co-ordinators, robust induction programmes and preceptorship as well as working with you to build on your leadership strengths.
A link to the NHS Lothian Nursing and Midwifery Strategic Plan can be found via the following link: https://services.nhslothian.scot/nursingandmidwifery/strategic-plan-2023-2028/
Recruitment process – We use a values and competency based recruitment process that is linked to the ambitions set our in our Strategic Plan. Click the link below for more information on our interview questions:
How to Apply – NHS Lothian Careers
We are seeking to recruit four highly motivated Assistant Practitioners (Band 4) who are passionate about promoting high standards of clinical care and best practice to join our highly skilled and highly regarded Infection Prevention and Control Team.
The role of the IPC team is to deliver a comprehensive infection control service across Lothian to minimise the risk of healthcare associated infections to patients/residents, staff, visitors and others. As the successful candidate you will play a vital role in promoting best practice in the field of infection prevention and control through the provision of education and advice. In addition, you will play an important role in undertaking audits and assurance visits highlighting areas of good practice and areas for improvement and providing support to clinical teams to improve the compliance with local and national infection and prevention and control standards.
Applications are invited from experienced Healthcare Support Workers with demonstrable experience of working within a clinical care setting carrying out delegated responsibilities and working without direct supervision. Successful candidates will be required to have an SVQ 3 in healthcare or equivalent qualification plus; SCQF Level 8 e.g. Professional Development Award(PDA).
For those without an SCQF Level 8, this would be a Trainee Assistant Practitioner role which will be paid on the band 3 pay scale until full completion of all aspects of the training program. Candidates applying to this post are required to under go training and complete a series of competencies in order to succeed into a Band 4 Assistant Practitioner role. Assistant Practitioner Band 4 position must be available before commencing the course. This is part of the workforce organisational plan and strategy for this role.
Working in NHS Lothian will provide you with the opportunity to gain a wide range of transferrable skills and experience. By joining our friendly and supportive teams, you will have the opportunity for ongoing training, career development and progression opportunities.
Trainee Assistant Practitioner Course
Entry Criteria: candidates must have evidence of previous study at SCQF Level 6/7 or individual RPL.
This comprises of a 38 week course, one day a week on a study day (270 hours), with Edinburgh College or NHS Lothian. In addition students have further protected 10 study days (75 hours) at their managers discretion. This is an academic qualification, not a clinical skills course.
Units of study
The award is made up of two core units and 6 optional units, depending on the workplace: Core Units:
- Leadership, Team Working and Accountability in Care SCQF level 8 (2 credits)
- Evidence Based practice and Decision Making SCQF Level 8 (1 Credit) Optional units
- Pharmacology for care (1 credit)
- Nutrition and Hydration (1 credit)
- Care of the acutely ill adult SCQF level 8 (2 credits)
- Developing Effective practice in Community care (1 credit)
- Policy Legislation and Standards in Community Care (1 credit)
- Approaches to Mental Health (2 credits)
Please note: Candidates undertaking this award will undertake the 2 core units (making 3 credits), all candidates are also expected to undertake the Pharmacology Unit and the Nutrition and Hydration unit.
Those working in acute care will undertake the Acutely Ill Adult Unit. Community staff will undertake the 2 community units.
Mental Health Staff will undertake the Mental Health Unit.
Assessments
Students will be expected to complete essays, case studies and sit exams.
Learn pro Modules will also be used as evidence towards learning outcomes and students will be informed of identified modules that can be included in their learning portfolio. Students are asked to complete the Learnpro module and discuss the learning in relation to their own practice with their supervisor.
For more details please about the content of the course and queries about the assessments please contact: loth.pdalevel8@nhs.scot
We will fully support disabled candidates, and candidates with long-term conditions or who are neurodivergent by making reasonable adjustments to our recruitment policy and practices.
This post requires the post holder to have a PVG Scheme membership/ record. If the post holder is not a current PVG member for the required regulatory group (i.e. child and/or adult) then an application will need to be made to Disclosure Scotland and deemed satisfactory before they can begin in post.
For further information on what is included in the role and what skills/experience are being looked for, click on the links at the bottom of the screen to the job description and person specification. If after reading this information you have any questions please contact Lindsay Guthrie, Associate Director, Infection Prevention & Control Service – Tel: 07814 301671 / lindsay.guthrie@nhs.scot
If you would like to arrange a stay and grow conversation to discuss your career, career pathways and opportunities within NHS Lothian please clink on the link below:
Career Conversations (scot.nhs.uk)