Job overview

Operating Department Practice Apprenticeship Programme 2026

This is a 3 year apprenticeship opportunity in partnership with Bolton  University.

Course fees will be funded via the Apprenticeship Levy and the Trust will continue to pay you the salary that you are on at present (subject to divisional agreement) whilst undertaking the programme. However you will not receive any further increments during the program. 

External requirements of Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA):

1. Maths and English at Level 2 or above

To study for an Apprenticeship then the student needs Level 2 or above qualifications in Maths and English. That is, GCSE A* to C  or 9 to 4 (under the new grading system). 

2. The Right to Work in the UK and Residency for at least 3 years

The ESFA funding rules state that “the individual must have a valid and eligible residency status and the right to work in England.” The apprentice should be “ordinarily resident in the UK for at least 3 years” prior to the apprenticeship. Someone who is ordinarily resident in a country is someone “who habitually, normally and lawfully resides from choice and for a settled purpose in that country”.

Please ensure you meet the The ESFA funding rules before applying.

Main duties of the job

Throughout the 3 year apprenticeship, non clinical learning will be facilitated at Bolton University and via remote learning. Non clinical learning is usually 1 day per week, there is also clinical learning within this. The remaining 30 hours per week you shall be in clinical placement at Royal Bolton Hospital theatres delivering patient care for elective and emergency operations as well as responding to acute and life threatening  emergencies throughout the hospital.  You will follow the university curriculum and will have annual leave as set by the university.

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