Trainee Health Visitor Opportunity Internal NHS Fife candidates only
One year training, commencing in January 2027, facilitated by NHS Fife and Queen Margaret University (QMU). (Annex 21 applies over training year*.)
An exciting opportunity is offered for experienced nurses and midwives who are keen to pursue a career in Health Visiting and who want to improve outcomes for children and their families. Successful applicants will commit to a permanent post that entails one-year of full-time study to undertake the Post Graduate Diploma: Health Visiting (Person Centred Practice) (level 11) at QMU alongside practice placement in NHS Fife. On completion of the programme and registration on Part 3 of the NMC register, you will automatically progress to a Band 7 health visitor.
To apply you must:
Be an experienced nurse or midwife currently on the NMC register.
Be free to undertake full time study commencing January 2027.
Be available for interview weeks beginning 14/09/2026
Have the required academic credit rating/or evidence of recent study.
Complete a 1500 word reflective essay about learning you have experienced from a recent continuing development opportunity practice (more information will be provided to those who are invited 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.
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 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.
- Annex 21 explanation: Trainees are paid at least 75% of B7 point 8, no detriment applies.
For further information contact:
Carol Hunter, Health Visitor Team Leader [email protected]
Lynne Darling, Programme Lead: [email protected]
A requirement of this post is to become a member of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme Prior to appointment.
NHS Fife is legally obliged to ensure all its employees are legally entitled to work in the United Kingdom. If you are not a United Kingdom (UK) or Irish National, you are required to confirm your right to work in your application.
We offer flexible working and family-friendly policies and fully support disabled candidates, and candidates with long-term conditions or who are neurodivergent by making reasonable adjustments to our recruitment policy and practices.
To work in the United Kingdom, there is a legal requirement for an individual to demonstrate that they have the relevant permission to work in the country. This permission is, without exception, granted by the UK Visa and Immigrations Service.
As part of the pre-employment checks for a preferred candidate, NHS Scotland Boards will check your entitlement to work in the UK. It can be evidenced through a number of routes including specific types of visa as well as EU settled and pre-settled status. To find out more about these routes of permission, please refer to the GOV.UK websitehere.
For specific types of post, if you do not have the necessary eligibility to work in the UK, it might be possible (though not guaranteed) to secure sponsorship via a UK Skilled Worker/Health & Care Worker Visa. However, this is only possible if the employer is a licenced Sponsor, and if the post does not fall below the current minimum salary threshold or ‘going rate’. Further information on these criteria can be foundhere.
It is ESSENTIAL that you have checked that you either already have an appropriate right to work in the UK or that the post would be eligible to be sponsoredBEFORE submitting your application form.
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.
