NHS Forth Valley is offering an exciting opportunity for registered nurses and midwives who are keen to pursue a career in health visiting to undertake the PG Diploma in Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (Health Visiting) course at SCQF Level 11 (Masters Level), with the University of Stirling. Successful completion of this course will enable you to achieve the Standards of Proficiency for Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (NMC 2022) and lead to registration as a Specialist Community Public Health Nurse - Health Visitor, with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) of the United Kingdom (UK). The course is offered on a fully funded full-time basis for one year from September 2026.
The course leads to both an academic award and a professional qualification and practice is integrated throughout the course in a practice module that spans the duration of the course. The course includes six core modules specifically designed to develop your knowledge and understanding of public health nursing enabling you to deliver and lead culturally competent, strengths based and person-centred care. All successful candidates will be provided with a practice placement within one area of Forth Valley and the support of a Health Visitor Practice Assessor and Health Visitor Practice Supervisor who will facilitate your learning and work in partnership with the academic assessor to assess your practice.
The candidate must have effective registration as a nurse or midwife with the UK NMC with relevant experience post registration. They must have a passion for working with children and families and a knowledge base about Scotland’s public health agenda. They require to be a self-motivated practitioner and able to demonstrate an evidence-based approach to practice. The diversity and on-going development of services within primary care requires clinical practitioners that are committed to enhancing their own skills through continuous professional development and a commitment to lifelong learning.
To apply you will need to:
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Be an experienced qualified Nurse (Level 1) or Midwife currently on the UK NMC register
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Have a first degree or evidence of recent study at SCQF level 9
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Be free to undertake full time study commencing September 2025
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Be required to work 36 hours per week over the course of the year
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On appointment to the programme NHS Forth Valley will offer successful applicants a contract as a Trainee Health Visitor for the duration of the programme (Trainee Health Visitors are paid at AfC Band 7 under Annex 21paragraph 2 (i), progressing to a substantive Health Visiting (AfC Band 7) post on successful completion of the programme and registration on the SCPHN Part of the UK NMC register.
Graduates will be expected to take up a Health Visiting post within NHS Forth Valley to consolidate learning and practice. New Graduate SCPHN Health Visitors will compete a period of preceptorship in their first post as part of NMC requirements.
Interviews will be held jointly with the University of Stirling and NHS Forth Valley.
Appointments will be subject to satisfactory references, PVG and Occupational Health checks.
Interview Dates are the 5th and 6th August 2026
You must also fulfil criteria required by University of Stirling to undertake the programme at Masters Level - see university website.
Ability and willingness to travel throughout the area of service delivery is essential for this post.
The duties of this post require the successful candidate to be a member of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme. More information on this scheme can be found at www.disclosurescotland.co.uk
This post will be considered as in training position under Annex 21 of the Agenda for Change terms & conditions. For more information, please visit the following link: 18623.pdf (nhsemployers.org). Specifically, section 2(iii) and section 3 in relation to this vacancy.
Informal enquiries Margaret Ann Williamson Clinical Nurse Manager on 07917098980
Informal enquiries regarding the university course to:
Dr Alison Hackett, Senior Lecturer/Programme Director, University of Stirling: Tel 01786 466383 (ext 6383) email: [email protected]
You can also find information about the course by using this QR Code:
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applicants who require sponsorship to work in the UK are advised to carefully review the eligibility criteria for the Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker visa routes. NHS Forth Valley may be able to offer sponsorship for certain roles, provided the post meets the minimum salary threshold and any other required criteria. If you are currently working in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa, transitional arrangements may apply. Please note that sponsorship is not guaranteed and is assessed on a case-by-case basis following interview and at the commencement of pre-employment checks. For further information on visa requirements and sponsorship eligibility, please refer to the UK Government guidance.
It is also recommend that anyone applying for health and social care jobs in the UK from abroad read the following guidance: Applying for health and social care jobs in the UK from abroad - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Candidates should provide original and authentic responses to all questions within the application form. The use of artificial intelligence (AI), automated tools, or other third-party assistance to generate, draft, or significantly modify responses is strongly discouraged. By submitting your application, you confirm that all answers are your own work, reflect your personal knowledge, skills and experience, and have not been solely produced or altered by AI or similar technologies. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in your application being withdrawn from the application process.
Please note that the majority of correspondence is sent by e-mail, therefore please check your e-mail regularly (including junk folders) and your Jobtrain account for updates.
NHS Forth Valley is positive about disabled people and is committed to offering an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the job. Please contact the Recruitment Office on 0330 041 4694 if there are any reasonable adjustments we can make to assist you with your application and/or interview.
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.
