Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust

Specialist Occupational Health Nurse Advisor

The closing date is 10 November 2025

Job summary

Please note this role is currently only being advertised to staff members who are currently working within the Kent and Medway ICB.

The Occupational Health service support staff in the organisation from the moment they are offered a job to when they leave. The service uses evidence based practice outlined in legislation and policy to support staff remain safe and healthy at work.

As part of the Occupational Health team you will be involved in offering competent, comprehensive Occupational Health advice to service users within given key performance indicators (both internal and external clients).

It is an exciting time to join the Occupational Health team with much local and national focus on supporting workers stay well and in work, development in the way Occupational Health is delivered and how we work with other services within the organisation is developing.

The Occupational Health Service is a nurse led service working with a range of teams from across the trust, including health and safety, infection control and senior leaders to robustly and proactively support our staff.

Main duties of the job

You will provide a high standard of Occupational Health verbal and written advice to Human Resources, managers, staff and external clients including assessment, advice/education, treatment, management and functional capacity evaluation.

By contributing to the delivery of Occupational Health and wellbeing programs and public health in the workplace you will enhance the experience of our service users, empowering both staff and managers to work in a supportive and collaborative way, which will have a positive impact on patient care at the trust.

You'll organise and participate in complex and often sensitive situations with staff e.g. sickness absence management in line with OH policies and procedures. You'll also contribute to the health and wellbeing of staff and on occasions lead on particular service development initiatives and health promotion activities.

Assisting with occupational health clinics, the daily running of the department and management of a caseload providing specialist clinical advice on work related health issues, will be an expectation of the role. Adhering to all Trust policies and local Occupational Health procedures and Guidance documents will be essential.

About us

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 and 2024 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.Click here to hear what our staff say.

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

Details

Date posted

27 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Secondment

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

359-7547365-T4

Job locations

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Hospitals

Hermitage Lane

Maidstone

ME16 9QQ


Job description

Job responsibilities

Weve provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please take a moment to review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. 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). If a role involves regulated activity and requires a DBS check with a barred list check, you cannot apply if you are on the barred list.

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

Following your Corporate Induction you will be expected to attend the Trusts 2-week Induction Programme for RNs, NAs, RMs, ODPs and Paramedics. The programme is full-time (please email mtw-tr.professionalstandards@nhs.net if this is problematic) and will involve travel to both Trust sites. The programme includes supernumerary shifts in the clinical area, classroom-based sessions and e-learning.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Weve provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please take a moment to review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. 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). If a role involves regulated activity and requires a DBS check with a barred list check, you cannot apply if you are on the barred list.

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

Following your Corporate Induction you will be expected to attend the Trusts 2-week Induction Programme for RNs, NAs, RMs, ODPs and Paramedics. The programme is full-time (please email mtw-tr.professionalstandards@nhs.net if this is problematic) and will involve travel to both Trust sites. The programme includes supernumerary shifts in the clinical area, classroom-based sessions and e-learning.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Degree/Diploma in nursing
  • Current NMC Registration
  • Evidence of Continued Practice Development - post-registration

Desirable

  • Degree/Diploma in Occupational Health - Part 3 NMC Registration - (Registered Specialist Community Public Health Nurse - OH)
  • Current immunisation/anaphylaxis certificate
  • Current venepuncture certificate

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working as part of an Occupational Health team or similar e.g. specialist nurse position
  • Experience of working within PGD guidelines
  • Sound clinical knowledge and understanding of Occupational Health within the NHS/Healthcare setting Good working knowledge of current national Occupational Health Agenda and appropriate national guidelines (e.g. Department of Health) Good working knowledge of managing accidents/injuries within the health care setting and planning appropriate follow up treatment

Desirable

  • Involvement in audit, research and understanding quality issues.
  • Experience of attending committee meetings
  • Attendance of appropriate supplementary courses/study days that have developed specialist & professional knowledge
  • Experience of Occupational Health within the NHS
  • Up to date knowledge of Health & Wellbeing initiatives

Skills

Essential

  • Excellent communication skills, both verbal and non-verbal
  • Understand the legal responsibilities of the profession
  • Able to present information, written and orally, in a clear and logical manner
  • Ability to organise, prioritise and delegate with excellent time management
  • Strong interpersonal skills with clients of all levels including handling distressed clients sensitively
  • Ability to work independently and make informed decisions
  • Competent immunisation and vaccination skills

Desirable

  • Competent IT skills
  • Knowledge of OPAS Occupational Health Software Program
  • Coaching skills
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Degree/Diploma in nursing
  • Current NMC Registration
  • Evidence of Continued Practice Development - post-registration

Desirable

  • Degree/Diploma in Occupational Health - Part 3 NMC Registration - (Registered Specialist Community Public Health Nurse - OH)
  • Current immunisation/anaphylaxis certificate
  • Current venepuncture certificate

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working as part of an Occupational Health team or similar e.g. specialist nurse position
  • Experience of working within PGD guidelines
  • Sound clinical knowledge and understanding of Occupational Health within the NHS/Healthcare setting Good working knowledge of current national Occupational Health Agenda and appropriate national guidelines (e.g. Department of Health) Good working knowledge of managing accidents/injuries within the health care setting and planning appropriate follow up treatment

Desirable

  • Involvement in audit, research and understanding quality issues.
  • Experience of attending committee meetings
  • Attendance of appropriate supplementary courses/study days that have developed specialist & professional knowledge
  • Experience of Occupational Health within the NHS
  • Up to date knowledge of Health & Wellbeing initiatives

Skills

Essential

  • Excellent communication skills, both verbal and non-verbal
  • Understand the legal responsibilities of the profession
  • Able to present information, written and orally, in a clear and logical manner
  • Ability to organise, prioritise and delegate with excellent time management
  • Strong interpersonal skills with clients of all levels including handling distressed clients sensitively
  • Ability to work independently and make informed decisions
  • Competent immunisation and vaccination skills

Desirable

  • Competent IT skills
  • Knowledge of OPAS Occupational Health Software Program
  • Coaching skills

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust

Address

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Hospitals

Hermitage Lane

Maidstone

ME16 9QQ


Employer's website

https://www.mtw.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust

Address

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Hospitals

Hermitage Lane

Maidstone

ME16 9QQ


Employer's website

https://www.mtw.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Head of Occupational Health

Laura Duffell

laura.duffell@nhs.net

07519559886

Details

Date posted

27 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Secondment

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

359-7547365-T4

Job locations

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Hospitals

Hermitage Lane

Maidstone

ME16 9QQ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)