Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships offer a valuable and rewarding opportunity to get hands-on training and put your skills into practice while studying. Lincolnshire Training Hub works in collaboration with the Learning and Development Apprentice Centre based at LCHS to offer a number of apprenticeship opportunities.

If you are looking to go out to open recruitment for an apprentice rather than upskilling an existing member of your team, you can add a job advert to the Apprenticeship Service page on the gov.uk website to increase reach. A webinar delivered by the Department for Education with more details of how to do this can be found below:

Advertising Apprenticeship Vacancies

Get Ahead Guide - For Apprentice Line Managers

Get Ahead Guide - For Newly Recruited Apprentices

Off-the-job-training infographic

Off-the-job-training myths

Please click on the dropdown for further details of apprenticeships currently available:

If the apprenticeship you are interested in is not listed above, please contact us as we may well be able to support you.

Lincolnshire Health and Care Apprentice Centre

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Level 2 Healthcare Assistant Apprenticeship

Healthcare Assistants make a positive difference to patients’ lives, helping them address any care needs that they may have. To achieve this, Healthcare Assistants need to have the right values and behaviours and develop specific competences and skills so they are able to provide high-quality person-centred care. This care includes undertaking routine clinical duties such as phlebotomy, basic wound care and therapeutic monitoring such as checking blood pressure, height and weight.

Undertaking the Level 2 Healthcare Assistant Apprenticeship (known as the Healthcare Support Worker Level 2) will equip them with all of the skills, knowledge and experience required to be a competent member of the healthcare team.

Apprenticeship Key Points:

• Duration: 12 months.

• Offered as a Blended Learning Programme–includes remote learning, face to face workshops, insight sessions.

• Requires Apprentice “off the job” learning time – For example a person working a 37.5 hours working week, is entitled to 6 hours of “off the job” learning time. Such learning can include interactive workshops, e-learning, equipment demonstrations, simulation and role play, peer learning and virtual environments.

• Knowledge, skills and behaviours to be achieved on this apprenticeship include: Communication, personal development, equality and inclusion, duty of care, safeguarding, person-centred approaches, infection prevention and control, health and safety and manual handling, care certificate, functional skills (English and Maths level 1) and digital skills.

• Learners will also be expected to work effectively as part of a team and within agreed ways of working, adhering to relevant standards, policies and protocols within their workplace, including the Code of Conduct for Adult Social Care Workers and Healthcare Support Workers in England.

• Each Apprentice is allocated an assessor who will support the HCA and their workplace whilst they on the apprenticeship.

• All Apprentices require provision of an internal trainer to support “on the job” learning.

• Each Apprentice develops a formal learning and assessment portfolio to record their learning, skills and experience journey.

Apprenticeship Benefits:

• Enables those new to health care to develop fundamental skills, underpinning knowledge and understanding what is required to become competent in their job role.

• Helps health care staff to adopt appropriate professional attitudes and behaviours that will support personal success in their job role and the long-term success of their organisation.

• Gives Health care Assistants the opportunity to achieve a nationally – recognised Level 2 qualification.

• Helps Health care Assistants to embark on a defined, yet flexible career pathway from the very start.

• Facilitates individuals in developing a wide range of interpersonal and intrapersonal skills to support their personal development and career progression.

Internal Trainer Responsibilities in Supporting the Apprentice’s “On The Job” Learning Needs

• Support their Apprentice on their Learning Journey.

• Plan and facilitate learning opportunities for the development and practicing of skills in practice.

• Play a critical role in developing the learner’s knowledge, expertise, resourcefulness and professional attitude.

• Undertake knowledge, skills and competency assessments with their Apprentice.

Teaching and learning methods, such as coaching, mentoring, shadowing, observation, collaboration and consultation, can be used to support on-the-job learning.

Apprentice Assessment

Each Apprentice produces a portfolio of evidence during their apprenticeship programme. This portfolio is quality assured throughout, as well as being continually assessed. This qualification consists of a specific set of units that must be completed in order to achieve their formal HCA level 2 qualification. Each unit has learning outcomes and assessment criteria.

To successfully complete each unit, the Apprentice must:

• Achieve all of the learning outcomes in each unit.

• Provide valid evidence for assessment to satisfy all assessment criteria.

• Prove that the evidence used for assessment is theirs.

• Cross reference their evidence to the relevant assessment being undertaken.

Career Progression Opportunities

Achievement of this Level 2 qualification, together with additional training, can also support progression to more senior or specialist job roles within health and social care that require more complex sets of skills and increased levels of responsibility.

Learners can also choose to progress to the Level 3 Senior Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship, or undertake higher level qualifications such as the Nursing Associate Foundation Degree or other specialist qualifications.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Where a learner can demonstrate that they can already meet a unit’s requirements through previously acquired knowledge, understanding or skills; they must supply sufficient, reliable, authentic and valid evidence for assessment.

Prior Learning Evidence is acceptable for accrediting a unit, several units, or a whole qualification.

For Further Information About Apprenticeships in General, Please See:

To express an interest in this opportunity, please complete the online form below:

Level 3 Healthcare Assistant Apprenticeship

Senior Healthcare Assistants and Senior Healthcare Support Workers work in a range of settings for example hospitals, the community, nursing or care homes, hospices and also in general practice. Senior Healthcare Assistants deliver high quality health and care services. They provide clinical, therapeutic or diagnostic care under the direct or indirect supervision of registered healthcare professionals. They undertake delegated activities in line with patient care plans, using their knowledge, experience and understanding to take decisions within their area of responsibility. They are accountable for their own work and for reviewing the effectiveness of their actions. They may also be responsible for supervising or supporting other staff in their team as part of their job role.

They must also communicate effectively and adhere to healthcare standards, including legislation, national and local policies and procedures. They must maintain a safe and healthy working environment and keep their knowledge, competencies and skills up to date.

Apprenticeship Key Points:

• Duration: 2 Years.

• Offered as a Blended Learning Programme – includes e-learning, peer learning, face to face workshops, insight sessions and equipment demonstrations.

• Apprentices will also be expected to complete personal study in their own time as needed

• Requires Apprentice “off the Job” learning time–For example, a person working a 37.5 hours working week, has 6 hours of “off the job” learning time. Such learning can include interactive workshops, e-learning, equipment demonstrations, simulation and role play, peer learning and virtual environments.

• Knowledge, skills and behaviours to be achieved on this apprenticeship include: Safeguarding, health and wellbeing promotion, infection prevention and control, mental health awareness, person- centred care, promotion of patient self-care, level 2 Mathematics and English functional skills and digital skills.

• Each Apprentice is allocated an assessor who will support the HCA and their workplace whilst they on the apprenticeship.

• All Apprentices require provision of an internal trainer to support“On The Job” learning.

• Each Apprentice develops a formal learning and assessment portfolio to record their learning, skills and experience journey.

Apprenticeship Benefits:

• Gives senior Healthcare Assistants the opportunity to achieve a nationally-recognised Level 3 qualification.

• Facilitates individuals in developing a wide range of interpersonal and intrapersonal skills to support their personal development and career progression.

Internal Trainer Responsibilities in Supporting the Apprentice’s “On The Job” Learning Needs

• Support their Apprentice on their Learning Journey.

• Plan and facilitate learning opportunities for the development and practising of skills in practice.

• Play a critical role in developing the learner’s knowledge, expertise, resourcefulness and professional attitude.

• Undertake knowledge, skills and competency assessments with their Apprentice.

Teaching and learning methods, such as coaching, mentoring, shadowing, observation, collaboration and consultation, can be used to support on-the-job learning.

Apprentice Assessment

Each Apprentice produces a portfolio of evidence during their apprenticeship programme. This portfolio is quality assured throughout, as well as being continually assessed. This qualification consists of a specific set of units that must be competed in order to achieve their formal HCA level 3 qualification. Each unit has learning outcomes and assessment criteria.

To successfully complete each unit, the Apprentice must:

• Achieve all of the learning outcomes in each unit.

• Provide valid evidence for assessment to satisfy all assessment criteria.

• Prove that the evidence used for assessment is theirs.

• Cross reference their evidence to the relevant assessment being undertaken.

Career Progression Opportunities

Achievement of this Level 3 qualification, together with additional training, can also support progression to more senior or specialist job roles within health and social care that require more complex sets of skills and increased levels of responsibility.

Learners can also choose to progress onto the Nursing Associate Foundation Degree or other specialist qualifications.

To obtain further information about this apprenticeship, please email the Lincolnshire Health and Care Apprentice Centre: lhnt.apprenticeshipenquiries@nhs.net

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Prior Learning Evidence is acceptable for accrediting a unit, several units, or a whole qualification.

For Further Information About Apprenticeships in General, Please See:

https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/senior-healthcare-support-worker/

https://findapprenticeshiptraining.apprenticeships.education.gov.uk/courses/151

To express an interest in this opportunity, please complete the online form below.

Level 3 Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship

Pharmacy Technicians are General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) registered professionals who work in multiple locations. These include registered pharmacies, community care organisations, the Prison Service, GP practices, care homes, hospitals, and mental health organisations.

Pharmacy Technicians support the provision of safe and effective pharmacy services. They carry out routine and specialist services, and are expected to work both autonomously and as part of a multi- disciplinary team, with minimum supervision. They are responsible for the quality and accuracy of their own work and working within their competencies.

Main Responsibilities Include:

• Supporting pharmacists and managing the supply of medicines and devices.

• Conducting patient advisory services, referring relevant queries to the pharmacist and escalating problems and concerns as necessary.

• Assembling and labelling prescription medications.

• Answering customer questions face to face, over the phone or via email.

• Supplying prescription and over the. counter medication and devices to patients, providing appropriate information and relevant signposting to promote healthy lifestyles and wellbeing, medication and device concordance, resulting in positive outcomes for patients.

• Supervising other pharmacy staff.

Apprenticeship Benefits:

• Duration: 2 years if working full time hours, up to 34 months if part – time. This duration may be reduced by up to 3 months if learners have already been employed in a pre-registration pharmacy technician role
.
• Applicants must have a right to work and live in the UK and have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least the previous three years. Additional eligibility rules apply to EEA nationals and non-UK nationals.

• Must hold a contract of employment within their pharmacy workplace for a minimum of 21 hours a week

• Must work under a pharmacist or pharmacy technician supervision for the duration of the apprenticeship for a minimum of 14 hours per week

• Be able to participate in stock management and physical dispensing of a wide range of prescriptions within their workplace, or have ability to undertake regular placements in a dispensing organisation.

• Learners will also be expected to work effectively as part of a team and within agreed ways of working, adhering to relevant standards, policies and protocols within their workplace, including the regulatory standards for pharmacies, as set by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) Pharmacy Order 2010.

• Each apprentice is provided with a tailored, blended training plan which includes remote learning, face to face workshops and insight sessions.

• Apprentice develops a formal learning and assessment portfolio to record their learning, skills and experience journey.

Minimum Qualifications Needed to Apply For This Apprenticeship:

• GCSE in Mathematics and English grades A-C/4-9 or Level 2 Functional Skills in numeracy and literacy.

• A minimum of a Level 2 or equivalent pharmacy related qualification or significant equivalent proven experience.

Career Progression Opportunities:

Achievement of this Level 3 qualification, together with additional training, can support progression to more senior or specialist job roles within health and social care that require more complex sets of skills and increased levels of responsibility, such as dispensary management.

Apprentice Assessment

Each Apprentice produces a portfolio of evidence during their apprenticeship programme. This portfolio is quality assured throughout, as well as being continually assessed. This qualification consists of a specific set of units that must be completed in order to achieve their formal level 3 qualification. Each unit has learning outcomes and assessment criteria.

To successfully complete each unit, the Apprentice must:

• Achieve all of the learning outcomes in each unit.

• Provide valid evidence for assessment to satisfy all assessment criteria.

• Prove that the evidence used for assessment is theirs.

• Cross reference their evidence to the relevant assessment being undertaken.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Prior Learning Evidence is acceptable for accrediting a unit, several units, or a whole qualification.

Upon completion of this programme learners will receive a Pharmacy Technician (Integrated) Apprenticeship certificate. They will also be issued with a GPhC accredited, Initial Education and Training Standards for Pharmacy Technicians training certificate.

For Further Information About Apprenticeships in General, Please See:

“https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/media/6702/st0300-pharmacy-technician_l3_fully-integrated_ap_for-publication_25112022.pdf

To express an interest in this opportunity, please complete the online form below.

Nursing Associate Apprentices

Lincolnshire Training Hub, University of Lincoln and Lincolnshire Talent Academy are offering Lincolnshire General Practices and Primary Care Networks the opportunity to upskill existing Healthcare Assistants or directly recruit into NMC-registered Nursing Associates posts.

Nursing Associates are registered healthcare professionals who work at an equivalent to an Agenda for Change Band 4. In general practice, they assist in increasing the capacity of the general practice nursing teams. Under supervision of practice nurses, they perform highly varied tasks such as phlebotomy, immunisations, wound-care and basic chronic disease management. Once qualified they can also be trained in cervical cytology.

Lincolnshire Training Hub has been working with the University of Lincoln and the Talent Academy to offer Nursing Associate apprenticeships in General Practice. These paid apprenticeships last 2 years and provide both formal education in university and on the job learning and training.

Apprenticeship Facts:

Start dates in January and October.

Funding:

ARRS funding available to create and salary Nursing Associate Posts.

Apprenticeship Levy (For non-levy paying organisations) and training grant funding to cover education and training costs.

Commitment:

2 years part-time level 4 study and practice placements – Typical week: 3 days in normal work-place, 1 day in university and 1 day on placement or insight visit.
Able to commit to a 37.5 hours working week plus personal study time
Able to travel county-wide to attend placements, insight days and university
Fixed holiday periods for 2 years

Education Qualifications Requirements: Minimum of GCSE English and Mathematics Grade C or equivalent.

Career Benefits:

Learn new skills and deepen existing knowledge with evidence-based learning
Follow a comprehensive and professional nursing career path within general practice
Become an NMC accountable Healthcare Practitioner

For more information, please contact LTH – contact@lincolnshiretraininghub.nhs.uk

Case Studies

A Day in the life of a Nursing Associate Apprentice (NAA) working in primary care Case Study

A day in the life of a newly qualified Nursing Associate working in General Practice Case Study

Nursing Associate Newsletter – Volume 1: September 2023

General Practice Assistants

General Practice Assistants (GPAs) are an ARRS funded role. They perform routine admin and clinical tasks on behalf of GPs. Staff can be recruited as GPA Apprentices and receive on the job training.

In addition, GPAs need to:

• Have an annual individual performance review.

• Track and record evidence of their experience and progress against the national competency framework.

• Inform the lead GP of any concerns about their role and request professional development where needed.

• Be aware of own professional boundaries and what to do when they are reached.

· Recognise and escalate patient concerns to relevant staff as necessary.

Competency

There is a national NHS England competency framework for GPAs which covers the core competencies expected of the GPA role. This is structured into 5 domains, Care, Administration, Clinical, Communications and Managing Health Records. These domains contain 58 capabilities. GPAs need to be able to build a portfolio of evidence which demonstrates they have the required skills, knowledge and behaviours to fulfil the role and promote clinical thinking and reflection.

A GPA will need clinical supervision and observation undertaking tasks. A GP will need to sign off evidence to the GPA portfolio
to confirm that the GPA meets the competency
requirements.

They are expected to deliver a combination of administrational and basic clinical duties:

• Arrange appointments, referrals and tests for patients.

• Complete simple observations/investigations as directed, e.g. urinalysis, taking blood pressure, ECGs, Phlebotomy.

• Prepare patients prior to seeing GP – taking a brief history and undertaking basic observations.

• Complete core elements of forms for GPs to approve e.g. clinical investigation requests, insurance forms, benefits applications.

• Explain treatment procedures to patients.

• Help GPs liaise with outside agencies, e.g. contacting and waiting for on-call secondary care doctor for advice/admission to enable the GP to continue seeing patients.

• Sort clinical post and prioritise for the GP – signpost post as required to other members of staff.

• Extract information from clinical letters that needs coding and add this into patient notes. Support with QOF coding.

The Lincolnshire Apprenticeship Programme

Lincolnshire Training Hub (LTH), in collaboration with the Learning and Development Apprentice Centre, is offering a GPA training package incorporating the Level 3 Customer Service Practitioner Apprenticeship and individual clinical skills which will facilitate achievement of the NHS/E GPA framework aligned skills and competencies.

GPA Training Package Key Points:

• Start dates, 4 times per year. GPA Training Package on-boarding process takes only 1 month.

• Duration: 15 months.

• Offered as a Blended Learning Programme – includes remote learning, face to face workshops, insight sessions.

• Requires Apprentice “off the job” learning time – For example, a person working a 37.5 hours working week is entitled to 6 hours of “off the job” learning time. Such learning can include interactive workshops, e-learning, equipment demonstrations, simulation and role play, peer learning and virtual environments.

• Knowledge, skills and behaviours to be achieved on this training package include: Phlebotomy, patient-centred care, care plan support and monitoring, infection prevention and control, mental health, information management, communication, safeguarding and patient signposting.

• Learners will also be expected to work effectively as part of a team and within agreed ways of working, adhering to relevant standards, policies and protocols within their workplace.

• Each Apprentice is allocated an assessor who will support them and their workplace whilst they on the GPA programme.

• Each Apprentice develops a formal learning and assessment e-portfolio to record their learning, skills and experience journey.

GPA Training Package Benefits:

•Enables those new to healthcare to develop fundamental skills, underpinning knowledge and understanding required to become competent in their job role.

•Helps GPAs to adopt appropriate professional attitudes and behaviours that will support personal success in their job role and the long- term success of their organisation.

•Gives GPAs the opportunity to achieve a nationally-recognised Level 3 qualification.

•Helps GPAs to embark on a defined, yet flexible career pathway from the very start.

•Facilitates individuals in developing a wide range of interpersonal and intrapersonal skills to support their personal development and career progression.

GP Mentor Responsibilities in supporting the Apprentice’s “on the job” learning needs

• Support their Apprentice on their Learning Journey.

• Plan and facilitate learning opportunities for the development and practising of skills.

• Play a critical role in developing the learner’s knowledge, expertise, resourcefulness and professional attitude.

•Undertake knowledge, skills and competency assessments with their
Apprentice.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Prior Learning Evidence is acceptable for accrediting a unit, several units, or a whole qualification.

Career Progression Opportunities

Maximum Reimbursable Amounts

It is recommended that apprentice GPAs are reimbursed at Band 3 whilst undertaking the training programme and upon qualification they are then reimbursed at Band 4.

Qualified GPAs are reimbursed at Band 4 equivalent to £31,746 per year, which is £2,645 per month. The reimbursable amount covers actual salary and oncosts (National Insurance and pension only) up to the maximum reimbursable

Principles of Additionality

Claims for reimbursement of GPA roles must meet the principles and additionality rules in the PCN DES. A PCN not adhering to additionality rules and principles will not be eligible for reimbursement and could be subject to recovery of funds and referral for investigation of fraud.

A baseline of 6 ARRS roles was established on 31 March 2019 – this baseline is fixed until 31 March 2024. A baseline has not yet been established for GPA roles. However, additionality principles in the PCN still apply. In short, where a PCN claims reimbursement for a GPA, they are confirming the reimbursement is for additional staff engaged since 31 March 2019 and is not being used to subsidise existing practice funded roles as at 31 March 2019. To be eligible for reimbursement the role must meet the requirements of the PCN DES.

If GPAs are recruited to from existing staff, it would be expected that vacancy funding would be used to either backfill with the same role or employ a different role that may be needed within the PCN to ensure the overall workforce numbers are increasing.

Next Steps

For more information about the role, as well as a sample job description, please see:

https://www.e-lfh.org.uk/programmes/general- practice-assistant/

To express an interest in this opportunity, please complete the online form below.

Non-Clinical Apprenticeships

We work in collaboration with the levy gifting company Total People to offer a number of non-clinical apprenticeships, including the following:

– Level 3 Business Administration
– Level 5 Operations/Department Manager
– Level 7 HR Senior People Professional

Availability of apprenticeship places is subject to levy funding being gifted by large employers to support SME growth.

To find out more, please contact ruth.pollock@nhs.net

ACP Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship places are available for the ACP Masters’ course at the University of Lincoln. There are typically 2 intakes per year, in September and January.

For further information, please contact lisa.freeman9@nhs.net

Pharmacy Services Assistant Apprenticeship

We can signpost learners to Buttercups to undertake the Pharmacy Services Assistant apprenticeship and help source levy funding for the course. For further information, please contact ruth.pollock@nhs.net