Maidstone - Healthcare Support Worker

Job overview

An Exciting opportunity has arisen within the Main Outpatient department team at Maidstone Hospital. We are looking for a clinical support worker with the desire to work in fast paced outpatient setting as a valued team member. This post is to cover maternity leave.

Main duties of the job

• Provide direct care and support to Outpatient patients as delegated by the qualified nurse.
• Maintain a clean safe environment for patients and relatives.
• Assist with clerical and housekeeping duties.
• Contribute to maintaining the unit's philosophy of care.
• To be able to work in a learning environment, providing a high standard of nursing care and support.
• To work flexibly according to the needs of the department and to support outpatient services and clinical areas across site where required.

Working for our organisation

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 NHS Staff Survey.

We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.

Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.

Looking for flexible working?

We are a flexible working-friendly organisation. Whether it’s adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.

Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:

• At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).
• Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefits
• Blue Light card eligibility
• And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please also check your application for errors/omissions prior to submission.

Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check at Enhanced Level. (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children)

All successful applicants will be required to complete our corporate trust induction once a start date had been agreed.

The programme includes two supernumerary shifts in the clinical area (an early and a late shift), all of the other days are classroom-based and run from 9am to 5pm

We welcome applications from individuals wishing to become an apprentice and gain experience in the NHS. You will develop new skills and knowledge whilst working with an established team, gaining valuable work experience and a recognised apprenticeship qualification.

You must not already be in any form of formal government-funded education.

Please note, we are currently unable to offer a certificate of sponsorship for Band 2 healthcare support worker roles as they do not meet the UK Visas and Immigration criteria.

Please find below a link to the government website for eligibility criteria: https://www.gov.uk/health-care-worker-visa

Person specification

Qualifications

• Functional skills English and Maths level 1 or GCSE English and Maths grade G/1 or above.

• Care Certificate - completed in a work environment, not online
• NVQ/Diploma level 2 in Healthcare (competencies assessed in a healthcare environment) or equivalent healthcare qualification, e.g. successful completion of a level 2 Healthcare Support Worker apprenticeship.

Knowledge/Experience

• • Minimum of 1 year full-time equivalent experience as a Healthcare Support Worker/Trainee in a care setting.
• • Insight into role and responsibilities of post.
• • Knowledge of the Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers and Adult Social Care Workers (2013).

• • NHS experience
• • Knowledge of current healthcare issues.

Skills

• • Can understand and communicate factual information accurately.
• • Good interpersonal skills.
• • Basic information and communications technology (ICT) skills.
• • Ability to prioritise workload with supervision.

In the event that we receive a high volume of applications, we may need to close the application process earlier than planned. To avoid missing out, we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

Please contact the Recruiting Manager for an informal discussion should you have any queries relating to the role for which you are applying.

We are committed to being a diverse employer and strive to reflect everyone in our local communities. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences and celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints, and ideas that will make our Trust the best place to work.

You can find out more here: Access to Work: get support if you have a disability or health condition: What Access to Work is - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Good luck! We look forward to welcoming you to our exceptional team!