Job summary
INTERNAL ONLY TO NORTH CUMBRIA INTEGRATED CARE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST (NCIC) EMPLOYEES ONLY

An opportunity has arisen within the Radiology Department at West Cumberland Hospital for 2 full time Apprentice Assistant Practitioner roles.

This is a training post and the successful applicant will be offered the post subject to being accepted onto the University of Cumbria Assistant Practitioner Radiography course starting January 2027. The post will start at band 3 rising to band 4 upon successful completion of the course.

The successful applicant must have healthcare experience and an awareness of the role of an Assistant Practitioner within Radiology.

The Directorate of Radiology for North Cumbria Hospitals comprises general radiography, conventional and interventional fluoroscopy, dental, CT, MRI, Ultrasound and DXA facilities. The directorate undertakes over 230,000 examinations per annum. Referrals for radiological opinion come from a wide range of specialties encountered within an acute district general hospital including 24 hour emergencies and primary care. The establishment includes consultant radiologists, radiographers up to band 8, nurses, admin & clerical, porters and radiology support staff. The directorate of radiology is part of the Clinical Support and Cancer Services Business Unit. The Directorate also has responsibility for Breast Imaging and Medical Illustration Services.

Main duties of the job
This is a training position for a person with experience as a healthcare assistant to undertake study at the University of Cumbria while undertaking practical work. Upon successful completion of the course the candidate will be qualified as a Radiography Assistant Practitioner. The role of Assistant Practitioner is outlined below.

Within your Scope of Radiographic Practice support the delivery of a Radiology service as a practising member of the multi-disciplinary team, in accordance with the standards of conduct, performance and ethics as set down by the Health Professions Council.
Plan and manage workload against specific Radiology protocols and Standard Operating Procedures.
Make the care and well being of patients and their carer or relative the emphasis of your daily duties, ensuring the safety, care and welfare of each patient throughout their examination, understanding and complying with all departmental policies, procedures and protocols.
Use negotiation and persuasion to achieve desired examinations, adapting technique when required; reassure patients prior to examinations, explain imaging procedures to gain understanding and cooperation and achieve the desired result.

About us
At NCIC, we have an ambition to deliver outstanding healthcare services to the population of North Cumbria. The Trust is committed to creating a centre of excellence in providing rural and remote healthcare and provides a wide range of community and acute services throughout our county.

Our 5 key principles demonstrate our belief in the delivery of 'safe, high quality care every time':

Being a clinically led organisation
Quality and safety at the heart of our Trust
A positive patient experience every time
A great place to work
Managing our money well

As an organisation we are serious about supporting a diverse workforce that reflects our local community and are very much focused on being an inclusive and compassionate place to work.

Across the North East and North Cumbria we are working together to deliver our ambition to be the greenest region in England by 2030. All staff are expected to support sustainability.

Details
Date posted: 24 September 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 3
Salary: £25,760 to £31,157 a year
per annum pro rata
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 24 months
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 262-A-26-8227095
Job locations: West Cumberland Hospital, Homewood Road, Whitehaven, CA28 8JG, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
Please see attached job description and person specification for further information regarding the role and the essential and desirable criteria required to be met by applicants.

CERTIFICATE OF SPONSORSHIP
Please note, due to changes implemented by the Government to the UK immigration policy, individuals who require a Health and Care Visa or a Skilled Worker Visa may no longer be eligible for sponsorship where the UKVI salary threshold is not met or if the occupation is not included in the updated Immigration Salary List (ISL). Applicants must check their eligibility to be employed in any role they are interested in applying for, prior to completing an application for https://jobeax.com/link/eOp1PsLgihRLcFtF applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be progressed. For further information visit theUK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

If you are applying under the Disability Confident Scheme or Armed Forces Covenant and you meet all the essential criteria for a post, you will be guaranteed an interview.

Relocation assistance may be available for successful applicants moving to the region for certain posts. Please see our Policy for eligible vacancies.

Disclosure and Barring Service:
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

The cost of the DBS must be met by the successful candidate(s) through salary deduction. DBS charges are as follows if applicable to the post:
Standard Check: £21.50 + Administration cost of £6.50 = £28.00 Deducted from salary over a 4 month period or a one-off payment.
Enhanced Check: £49.50 + administration cost of £6.50 = £56.00 Deducted from salary over a 4 month period or a one-off payment.

NCIC can offer successful future employees the following benefits:

27-day holiday scheme rising to 33 after 10 years
Flexible working Scheme
NHS Discounts*
Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work*
Excellent opportunities for development*
Competitive NHS Pension scheme
Vivup is a free, confidential counselling and information service to assist with personal or work-related problems

*Subject to eligibility

Important Information
Please ensure that you document evidence of meeting all the essential criteria in the supporting information.

If sufficient response is received this post could be closed earlier than the specified closing date, please apply as soon as possible to ensure that your application is considered.

Candidates who have been successfully shortlisted for interview will be asked via an email notification to log on to their Trac account to select an interview time. This will usually be within 2 weeks of the closing date

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

Maths and English (functional skills) or GCSE at grade C/4 or above or equivalent

Desirable

Essential IT skills (EITS) or equivalent.
Level 3 qualifications
Level 4 study experience
Care Certificate or working towards.

Experience
Essential

Experience of caring directly for patients, relatives and carers
Experience working with in a multidisciplinary team
Experience in healthcare.

Desirable

Use of a computer.
PACS/CRIS
Experience of working in radiology department.

Knowledge
Essential

Infection control.
Knowledge of pathology, anatomy and physiology.
Equality legislation and best practice.
Information and governance.

Desirable

Microsoft Office.
Managing complaints & incidents.
Dealing with challenging behaviour.
Medicines management
Radiation protection

Skills and aptitudes
Essential

Good organisational skills.
Problem solving skills.
Decision making skills.
Able to prioritise work to meet deadlines.
Advanced communication skills.
Good interpersonal skills.
Ability to motivate self and others.
Ability to empathise.
Dexterity and Fine motor skills

Personal attributes
Essential

Team member.
Meticulous.
Willing to accept responsibility

Other requirements
Essential

Trust approval for scope of practice.
Able to travel independently between sites

Desirable

Driving licence.
Willing to work at other Trust sites.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details
Employer name: North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
Address: West Cumberland Hospital, Homewood Road, Whitehaven, CA28 8JG, United Kingdom
Employer's website: (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
X-Ray Lead Radiographer
Charlotte Steel
charlotte.steel@ncic.nhs.uk
01946523345

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Apprentice Assistant Practitioner

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