Trust welcomes nursing associate apprentices in theatres

Surgical Services

At the back end of February, SWB welcomed its first nursing associate apprentices in theatres.

There will be a total of three nursing associate apprentices – one at Sandwell, one at City and one based in BMEC.

The nursing associate apprenticeship will be an invaluable asset in our theatre departments as it will allow band 3 colleagues to progress in a department they’re passionate about. In addition, the apprenticeship will also open up a new role of band 4 scrub practitioner, a role which has previously never existed at SWB.

Jennifer Brain, Senior Training and Development Practitioner, believes nursing associate apprentices in theatres will allow for progression within the department.

She said: “The roles in theatres will bridge the gap from band 3 to band 5. It

Our nursing education team recently welcomed apprentices in theatres will also show our existing staff that we offer development without leaving the department and external band 4 colleagues will get the opportunity to learn a new role that can only be learnt with in the theatre department. “The nursing associate apprentices are only just starting so we have worked alongside the nurse education team and the university to ensure we can offer the very best for our patients, existing staff and the new nursing associate apprentices as well as ensuring the very best training is given throughout their journey.”

She added: “In terms of the future for theatres, having the apprentices will be brilliant as it will mean we can support the future progression of our staff and ultimately offer the best care possible to our patients.”

Aaron Bertram-Miller and Stacey Clarke, Nursing Associate Practice Educators, echoed these thoughts and said, “Though we do have student nurses and student ODPs, we have never had this role in theatres before which makes this a first and a very exciting time for SWB.”