Trainee Health Visitor (Annex 21)

OUR VALUES IN ACTION

●Care and Compassion ●Quality and Teamwork ●Dignity and Respect ●Openness, honesty and responsibility

Trainee Health Visitor Opportunity

One year training, commencing in January 2026, facilitated by NHS Borders and Queen Margaret University (QMU).

(Fixed term contract for 12 months - Annex 21 applies throughout training year*)

NHS Borders and QMU are offering an exciting opportunity for experienced nurses and midwives who are keen to pursue a career in health visiting and improve outcomes for children and their families. Successful applicants will commit to fixed term post that entails one-year of full-time study to undertake the Post Graduate Diploma: Health Visiting (Person Centred Practice) (level 11) at QMU, Edinburgh, alongside practice placement in NHS Borders. On completion of the programme and registration on Level 3 of the NMC register making the successful candidate eligible to apply for permanent Health Visiting posts within NHS Borders.

An application is required via the NHS Scotland website

To apply you must:

• Be an experienced nurse or midwife currently on the NMC register
• Be free to undertake full time study commencing January 2026
• Be available for face to face interview (dates will be confirmed on short listing)
• Have the required academic credit rating/or evidence of recent study.
• Complete a 1500 word essay as part of the application process (more information when called to interview)

Standard Entry

If an applicant has obtained a relevant degree within the last 5 years at the time of applying, then this meets the academic criteria for Standard Entry to the programme

Non-standard Entry Options

• If an applicant has obtained a degree more than 5 years ago at the time of applying but has successfully completed further academic study at Scottish level 11 or equivalent within the last 5 years, then this meets the criteria for Non-standard Entry to the programme.
• If an applicant has obtained a degree more than 10 years ago but has completed Scottish level 11 study within the last 5 years then this meets the criteria for Non-standard Entry to the programme.
• If an applicant has no degree but has successfully completed other academic study at Scottish level 11 or equivalent within the last 5 years, this meets the criteria for Non-standard Entry to the programme.
• If an applicant has obtained a degree or other academic study at Scottish level 11 or equivalent, more than 10 years ago, then a discussion with the programme leader and health board recruiting manager is required prior to applying.

Stand Alone Module

If an applicant has no degree and has not completed any academic study at Scottish level 11 or equivalent, they will be required to complete the 20 credit stand-alone module from the programme, ”Ethical Judgements and Decision Making”, the current cost of this module is £1090. The health board may be able to advise on available funding opportunities to off-set this cost.

The supporting statement in part one of the application must include: your understanding of the Health Visitor role and evidence of appropriate transferable skills, experience and supporting CPD activity, including leadership and caseload management plus your motivation and rationale for applying to become a health visitor and to study at master’s level.

• Please ensure that one of the two references requested is your line manager
• Current academic status must be included in part 3 of the application to enable it to be assessed and progressed by QMU. This should include, for each qualification: the name of the academic qualification (do not include standard grade or Highers), the level of study e.g., Scottish level 9, 10 or 11 and the year the qualification was obtained. Any prior discussion and agreed outcome with QMU about academic credit rating must also be documented and academic transcripts uploaded
• If called for interview you will submit a 1500 word admissions essay (essay to be submitted to scphnadmissionessays@qmu.ac.uk)
• If selected, you will be required to complete a short online application to QMU so that they can formally offer you a place on the academic programme.
• Trainees follow the University calendar for all holidays during the course and cannot take leave out with this. Normal NHS leave is suspended during training.

*For trainees covered by Annex 21 where the period of training lasts for between one and four years, pay will be as follows:

• up to 12 months prior to completion of training: 75 per cent of the pay band maximum of the fully qualified rate;
• more than one but less than two years prior to completion of training: 70 per cent of the pay band maximum of the qualified rate of the qualified;
• more than two but less than three years prior to completion of training: 65 per cent of the pay band maximum for the qualified rate.
• more than three years from completion of training: 60 per cent of the pay band maximum of the fully qualified rate.

• For further guidance on Annex 21 – please follow this link: Annex 21 – Arrangements for pay and banding of trainees

For further information contact: Joan Rutherford, Community Clinical Nurse Manager: joan.rutherford@borders.scot.nhs.uk or Lynne Darling, Programme Lead: LDarling@qmu.ac.uk

Due to legislative changes from 1 April 2025, this post may require a different level of criminal records check done than is currently the case. If the post is assessed as a "regulated role", your appointment will be subject to joining the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme. If there is any change to what is currently required, this will be confirmed by either the Hiring Manager or the Recruitment Team. For more details on these changes please visit: Disclosure Scotland Changes.

***PLEASE NOTE: We cannot accept late applications so please ensure your application is submitted early***

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.