Clinical Support Worker to Nursing Associate Apprenticeship Pathway in Bedford

We are seeking highly motivated individuals who are keen to progress onto a career in nursing to join Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The Nursing Associate is an established and evolving role, developed to bridge the gap between the Health Care Assistant and the Registered Nurse. As part of our workforce development strategy, the Trust is now in a position to increase the number of Nursing Associate apprentices.

Successful applicants will initially be appointed to a Clinical Support Worker role for a period of three months prior to commencing the apprenticeship programme, which is scheduled to begin in September 2026. Progression onto the apprenticeship will be subject to the individual meeting the essential requirements outlined in the advert.

Once the apprenticeship programme has commenced, apprentices will undertake two years of academic study alongside working on their base ward, leading to the achievement of a Level 5 Foundation Degree and Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) registration as a Nursing Associate. The academic element of the programme will be delivered by the University of Bedfordshire with apprentices being released for study days in accordance with the UoB's programme requirements. All Tuition fees for the programme are fully funded by Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Main duties of the job include:

• Providing personal care for patients
• Undertaking clinical tasks including venepuncture and ECGs
• Supporting individuals and their families and carers when faced with unwelcome news and life-changing diagnoses
• Performing and recording clinical observations such as blood pressure, temperature, respirations and pulse
• Discussing and sharing information with registered nurses on a patient's condition, behaviour, activity and responses
• Ensuring the privacy, dignity and safety of individuals is maintained at all times
• Recognising issues relating to safeguarding vulnerable children and adults

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trust's core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required.

Job responsibilities include:

• Develop understanding of all elements of the nursing process and be able to assist the registered nurse in the ongoing assessment, planning, management and evaluation of care
• Support individuals with all aspects of care including daily living, providing person-centred care and promoting health and independence through awareness raising and care navigation to other professionals as appropriate
• Perform and record clinical observations including blood pressure, temperature, respirations, pulse
• Undertake clinical tasks including cannulation, venepuncture, ECGs
• Accurately record nutritional and fluid intake
• Report back and share information with the registered nurses on the condition, behaviour, activity and responses of individuals
• Recognise issues relating to safeguarding vulnerable children and adults and report any problems or raise concerns to the appropriate registered care professionals
• Assist in the implementation of appropriate action to meet the specific physical, emotional and psychological, social, cultural and spiritual needs of individuals and carers
• Assist in the delivery of complex care as prescribed by the registered nurse
• Develop understanding of caring for individuals with particular conditions for example dementia, mental illness, learning disabilities
• Develop skills in relation to coaching/teaching individuals/carers/other staff
• Promote health and safety maintaining best practice in health, safety and security
• Plan and manage competing demands of job role, study and placement activity

Requirements include:

• Applicants must hold GCSE English Language & Maths at Grade A-C /4-9 or Level 2 Functional Skills in English and Maths or equivalent (Proof of qualifications will be required prior to being invited to interview)
• Applicants must be at least 18 years of age (once employed)
• Applicants must be able to work full time (37.5 hours per week) and are expected to work a variety of shifts including nights, long days and weekends in accordance with the demands of the service
• The applicant will have a Care Certificate or be expected to obtain one prior to the apprenticeship start date
• 3-month first review during probationary period will need to be successfully completed and signed off by the ward manager in order to progress onto the apprenticeship programme
• The ability to study at Level 5 Diploma level with the commitment to complete a Foundation Degree Apprenticeship
• Minimum 3 years UK residency is essential.

Applicants who are shortlisted for interview will be expected to attend our recruitment event on Friday 6th March 2026.