Apprentice in Payroll (Level 3)
Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting an Apprentice in Payroll (Level 3) for a 15-month, full-time apprenticeship based at Northumbria House in Newcastle upon Tyne.
The apprenticeship provides an opportunity to develop practical payroll skills while working in a real NHS payroll environment. NHS payroll services pay more than 130,000 NHS employees each pay period, giving apprentices the opportunity to gain experience within an established payroll function.
Important: This is an apprenticeship vacancy. Applicants must meet the required right-to-work and residency criteria set out in the employer’s Apprenticeship Guidance for Applicants.
Job Details
- Job title: Apprentice in Payroll (Level 3)
- Employer: Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
- Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, NE27 0QJ
- Salary: £25,272 per year
- Pay band: NHS Agenda for Change Band 2
- Contract: Apprenticeship
- Duration: 15 months
- Working pattern: Full-time, flexible working
- Reference: 319-8260849VD
- Date posted: 26 September 2026
- Closing date: 8 October 2026
About the Apprenticeship
This Level 3 apprenticeship is designed to provide the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to work competently within a payroll function.
The role combines workplace learning with structured development. You will work as part of a team of apprentices within a real-life payroll environment and will be supported by the training team as you work towards the required apprenticeship competencies.
The programme is intended to provide a foundation for a longer-term career in payroll and help you develop skills that can support your future employability.
Key Responsibilities
As a Payroll Apprentice, you will:
- Work towards achieving the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for a Level 3 Payroll Officer apprenticeship.
- Gain practical, work-based experience within an NHS payroll environment.
- Support and assist with the provision of payroll services.
- Carry out data input, storage and retrieval.
- Assist with filing and administrative duties.
- Deal with telephone enquiries.
- Develop an understanding of payroll systems, processes, regulations and compliance.
- Produce accurate and high-quality information.
- Develop planning, prioritisation and analytical skills.
- Work effectively with colleagues as part of a team.
- Develop professional communication and engagement skills.
- Work in accordance with ethical and professional standards.
- Build adaptability, professional scepticism, proactivity and enthusiasm.
- Take part in continuous learning, monitoring and development in line with the apprenticeship assessment plan.
Training and Development
The apprenticeship provides development across a range of payroll and professional areas, including:
- Business and customer awareness
- Payroll core functions
- Pensions and technical payroll knowledge
- Regulations and compliance
- Systems and processes
- Planning and prioritising
- Analysis
- Producing accurate information
- Team working and collaboration
- Communication and engagement
- Ethics and integrity
- Adaptability
- Professional scepticism
- Proactivity and enthusiasm
- Professional development
You will be supported throughout the programme as you progress towards competence.
Essential Requirements
Applicants must be numerate and literate and have:
- At least five GCSEs at grades A–C or 9–4
- GCSE English and Maths must be included
Desirable Qualifications and Experience
The following are desirable but not essential:
- A/AS Level Maths
- Previous experience in an administration or customer-focused role
- Experience of data entry and retrieval
Right to Work and Apprenticeship Eligibility
This is an apprenticeship position, so eligibility requirements apply in addition to the normal job requirements.
The NHS advert specifically states that applicants must meet the right-to-work and residency criteria contained in the employer’s Apprenticeship Guidance for Applicants.
Applicants should therefore check the apprenticeship eligibility guidance carefully before applying.
Visa sponsorship: The advert does not state that Skilled Worker visa sponsorship is available for this apprenticeship. Applicants requiring sponsorship should check their eligibility and the employer’s apprenticeship guidance before applying rather than assuming sponsorship is available.
Working Pattern
The position is:
- Full-time
- Flexible working
- 15-month apprenticeship
The role is based at Northumbria House, Unit 7/8 Silver Fox Way, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE27 0QJ.
About Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust manages major hospitals at North Tyneside, Wansbeck and Hexham, alongside community hospitals and clinics across a large geographical area in the North East of England.
The Trust highlights its focus on innovation, quality and staff experience, including its Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital.
Application and Selection Process
Applicants should read the employer’s Applicant Guidance Notes and the apprenticeship guidance before submitting an application.
The Trust reserves the right to close the vacancy before 8 October 2026 if enough suitable applications are received.
For questions about the vacancy, applicants can contact:
Payroll Training Manager: Emily Brady
Email: emily.brady@nhct.nhs.uk
Telephone: 0191 607 3473
Closing Date
8 October 2026
Early application is advisable because the employer may close the vacancy before the advertised closing date once enough suitable applications have been received.
How to Apply
Applications should be submitted through the official NHS Jobs vacancy.
Employer: Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust