Exciting opportunity for a Podiatry Degree Apprenticeship
Applications are now open for the Degree Podiatry Apprenticeship
We have an amazing opportunity for a suitably qualified, enthusiastic individual to undertake a Podiatry degree through an apprenticeship scheme running in collaboration with the University of East London.
As per the trust’s workforce plan, there is funding available for one degree Apprenticeship in Podiatry starting in September 2021. This exciting role is for someone who is willing to train and progress within an AHP career, make a difference to clinical care and support the future NHS workforce. The Apprenticeship is four years in duration and will allow you to progress into a HCPC registered Podiatrist role with NCH&C, on successful completion.
What is Podiatry?
Podiatrists are registered healthcare professionals specialising in the lower limb (feet, ankles, legs), providing high quality hands on clinical care. Podiatrists work with people of all ages and provide advice, assessment, diagnosis and treatment of a range of problems affecting the foot and lower limb.
Podiatry is a relatively little-known career option – it might not be the first thing you think of when considering a career in healthcare. There is so much more to a career in Podiatry than many people realise. If you enjoy patient contact, providing hands on interventions with rapid impact, and problem solving, you might make a great Podiatrist!
For more information about Podiatry as a career, see the following resources:
https://cop.org.uk/become-a-podiatrist/what-is-a-podiatrist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxGLx6qwZOs
If you are interested in finding out more about the department and the specialisms within it, to see if this might be the opportunity for you, please get in touch. We are happy to arrange taster days prior to application.
What is a Podiatry Apprentice?
The Apprenticeship combines full-time employment (37.5 hours a week), work-based learning and academic study at Foundation Degree level (Level 5).
Apprentices will work in a supported learning environment to develop their clinical competencies and knowledge related to the role of a Podiatrist. While working towards your degree you will be based within our friendly and supportive team and will be patient facing from the very start – so that you can apply and develop your new knowledge and skills with increasing confidence. We offer the opportunity to work within every speciality within the profession, so your days within the clinical placement will be diverse and you can explore areas that interest you the most.
This course runs over four years during which you will study 18 core modules across three levels of study (levels 4, 5 & 6). The teaching year is split into three blocks of approximately 16 weeks. As an apprentice, you will spend a minimum of 30% of your time doing off the job training. This means that you will spend time on day release at UEL (University of East London – Stratford Campus) where you will attend lectures, tutorials and practical classes. The rest of your time you will spend working for NCH&C where you will put into practice what you have learnt at University.
As you will work in a variety of care settings over the four years, you will need to be prepared to travel throughout Norfolk and Waveney for the duration of the Apprenticeship, and to UEL for day release learning.
During the programme you will be assessed by the UEL and in clinical practice through a number of methods, such as: essays, exams, presentations, reflective accounts, OSCEs, practice assessments and an End Point Assessments (EPA). Subjects studied will include:
- Podiatric medicine
- Lower limb anatomy
- Pathology
- Professional practice
- Gait analysis
- Musculoskeletal pathology
- Pharmacology
- Complex podiatric practice
- Research, governance and leadership
Essential entry criteria:
- Must be 18+
- Must have lived in the UK/EEA for the past 3+ consecutive years
- Have GCSE English and Maths at Grade C/4 or above, or Level 2 Functional Skills English and Maths
- Full UK driving licence – travel around Norfolk and Waveney will be required as part of this role
Plus
- Applicants must have gained 120 UCAS points including:
- Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits overall (including 45 level 3 credits at Distinction which must include Biology and Chemistry) or
- Three A levels (BBB) which must include Biology and Chemistry
- (If you have a foundation degree and are considering a change in career pathway, this may be accepted – subject to UEL approval)
Duration of Apprenticeship: 4 years
Start date: September 2021 with interviews to take place in July / August 2021.
Wage: Annexe 21 pay arrangement whereby Band 5 funding will be held for this post and the candidate will receive the following salary:
Year 1: 60% of a Band 5 salary
Year 2: 65% of a Band 5 salary
Year 3: 70% of a Band 5 salary
Year 4: 75% of a Band 5 salary
With a guaranteed B5 Podiatrist role on successful completion of Apprenticeship and End Point Assessment
At the end of the apprenticeship the apprentice will agree to work for the Trust for a period of at least two years following completion of the course in order to consolidate their training.
If this condition is not fulfilled, the apprentice may be liable to pay back any employer related costs incurred for clinical placement activity during the apprenticeship programme as defined in the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) Apprenticeship Funding Rules.
It is important to recognise that you will leave the training programme without the usual ‘student loans’- a comparable saving of approximately £29,000 against full time entry route students.
Training costs will be covered by the Apprenticeship Levy.
For more information regarding this Apprenticeship, please contact the Talent for Care Team at: careerdevelopment@nchc.nhs.uk, or Suzanna Grimes, Principal Podiatrist at suzanna.grimes@nchc.nhs.uk to informally discuss