Job summary
All applicants must complete the expression of interest form attached within the documents

SHPU in partnership with the Open University is offering an exciting opportunity for band 4 Registered Nursing Associates, commencing February 2027.

We are looking for individuals who demonstrate in their everyday practice the trust values and are driven by compassion and have the ability and a strong personal commitment to develop their knowledge, skills, and attributes.

This is a very competitive training opportunities and all applicants who meet the essential criteria will be offered an interview by the Open University.

As this is a part time programme, applicant will continue during planned times to work in their substantive post/base and will in allocated planned apprentice times, attend placements away from their substantive base. Apprentices will also have protected planned off the job learning (OJL) time but must beware that to meet the academic requirements, will still need to commit to study in their own personal time.

If shortlisted by the OU, applicants will be given an interview date. The interview dates will take place in October 2026, dates will be confirmed with successful applicants.

Main duties of the job
Apprentices will be required to always maintain professional behaviours and attitudes. Continue to maintain their mandatory training requirements for their substantive post during the programme.

Apprentices must ensure that they meet all the theoretical, examination, end point assessment and practical placement requirements by the agreed deadlines and utilise support systems available to them where required

Apprentices must ensure that they do not bring the reputation of SHPU or the nursing profession into disrepute. Apprentices will be subject to the employee and education providers investigation process if the need arises.

Apprentices will be required to discuss their progress as part of their planned supervision and have a meeting with their practice tutor, line manager every 12 weeks to review progress as required by Ofsted.

Apprentices must be prepared to travel if required for placements and do a range of shifts patterns in a range of care settings, e.g. early, late, nights, and 9.5 depending on the placement setting.

Apprentices will be allocated off the job learning/ (OJL) hours - a minimum of 7.5 hours per week (except when taking A/L). During placement and employee time, apprentices will be required to do learning in their own time in addition to the allocated OJL.

About us
We are passionate about providing the very best care to the people we support, and we're looking for amazing people who share this passion to join us.

What is it that makes our Trust such a special place to work? Well, it's all about the people. Our staff, service users, carers and families all come from such diverse backgrounds and all have expertise and stories to share.

It's important that you feel supported in your role, that the people who you work with are as passionate as you are and that your health and wellbeing is taken care of

If you're interested in developing your career, you'll have access to a range of training and education opportunities, including apprenticeships, work experience and placements, as well as the chance to get involved in research.

We are very proud of the difference we make to people's lives each and every day and if that's something that you'd like to be part of we'd love to have you with us.

Job responsibilities
Apprentices will inform the Professional Education, Training & Development Lead Andrew Algar and Apprenticeship Lead Stephanie Allen and operational lead Angela Herft of their intention to leave the programme in writing.

Apprentices will remain subject to SHPU confidentiality statement for the duration of the programme and shall not divulge any confidential information relating to SHPU to any unauthorised other third party.

Any apprentice that does not complete the programme will return to an equivalent substantive role and hours. SHPU cannot guarantee return to their original team.

There will be no change to annual leave entitlement, however A/L must be taken during employee time and NOT apprenticeship time. Please be aware that it is a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) requirement that all practice and theory hours are met to enter the nursing register

Qualifications
Essential

• level 2 Maths and English functional skills or equivalent GCSE/GCE, A to C or 4 to 9). RNAs will also need to provide evidance of a Nursing Associate level 5 Foundation degree qualification and NMC PIN number

Contractual Eligibilty
Essential

• Have a current substantive trust contract of a minimum 30hrs per week.
• RNA's must have a minimum 1-year post experience as qualified RNA and support staff must have a minimum of 1years service in the trust.

Other
Essential

• Your manager/supervisor with regards your interest in applying for this training programme.
• Not currently subject to any live warnings or are in the formal stages of capability policy/procedures.
• Apprentices will need to have access to a PC or laptop on a regular basis.
• Applicants must have lived within the UK for the last 3 years at the start of the apprenticeship and must have a right to work for the length of the apprentices, Ensure that you check your eligibility Become an apprentice: How apprenticeships work - GOV.UK. The Trust will not provide visa sponsorship for any bandings below Band 5.
• Applicants will be required to undertake a range of placements and must be prepared to travel and work a range of shifts i.e. early, late and night depending on care setting. Advance notification of placement dates will be given so that apprentices can put in place required support. If you currently have a flexible working arrangement to only to work only specific shifts ie nights only etc, this will not meet the NMC pre-registration requirements for your practice placement experience, and you will need to consider what support you will need to arrange and put in place.
• Apprentices will be required to always maintain professional behaviours and attitudes. Continue to maintain their mandatory training, PDR and revalidation requirements for their substantive post during the programme.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.
Employer details: Sheffield Health Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, Various within the Trust, Various, Sheffield, S4 7QQ, United Kingdom. Employer's website: https://www.sheffieldpartnership.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab). For questions about the job, contact: RNDA Operational Lead Angela Herft, angela.herft@sheffieldpartnership.nhs.uk, 0114262266.