Job summary
Please note that this role may often attract a high level of applications. Please note this role may close earlier than the original closing date so please ensure you submit your application as soon as possible.The role of the Enhanced Care Health Care Support Worker is to support recovery and provide care to those people who have enhanced care needs across the organisation. Ensuring the care experienced is positive and that the person's safety is maintained.
To deliver enhanced care across wards and departments to patients who have been assessed as needing additional support on the wards due to dementia, delirium, mental health conditions, challenging behaviour or physical health conditions which are compromising the safety of the patient and/or others. Enhanced care is an integral part of a therapeutic plan and ensures the safe and sensitive monitoring of a patients physical and psychological wellbeing, whilst building therapeutic relationships. Enhanced care could be supporting a group of patients or patients who only require one to one support.
The post holder is expected to treat everyone e.g. patients, their relatives, visitors, colleagues etc, with respect, dignity, courtesy and in accordance with the Trust's Values.
Main duties of the job
Demonstrate an understanding of the care and treatment programmes of people with enhanced care needs, to enable instruction, advise & guidance for patients, family and carers. To make the appropriate adjustments independently (within own competence and skill set) and be able to communicate any changes to patients and registered health care professionals.
Develop and maintain meaningful therapeutic relationships with people. Adopt a polite, positive and empathetic approach, communicating effectively and informatively. Assess situations, identify and resolve potential problems, within own competence and skill set. Assist in dealing with verbal/physical aggression using de-escalation techniques.
To provide one to one support and / or supervision for a people/ group of people under the supervision/direction of registered health care professionals, within a delegated framework for agreed tasks. Organise a range of activities e.g. facilitate meaningful activities for individuals and liaise with the multi-disciplinary team to co-ordinate patient specific activities and daily plans, in line with risk assessments. Exercise a degree of independence, initiative and judgement and consider different approaches when delivering tasks.
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:
- 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
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).
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 Clinical Induction Programme for Healthcare Support Workers (which starts on the first day of employment). The programme is full-time (please contact the CSW Induction Programme Lead if you have any issues: rallen@nhs.net), lasts for two weeks and will involve travelling to both Trust sites. 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.
Please note that we are only able to provide sponsorship for this role if you are in receipt of your Care Certificate.
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).
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 Clinical Induction Programme for Healthcare Support Workers (which starts on the first day of employment). The programme is full-time (please contact the CSW Induction Programme Lead if you have any issues: rallen@nhs.net), lasts for two weeks and will involve travelling to both Trust sites. 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.
Please note that we are only able to provide sponsorship for this role if you are in receipt of your Care Certificate.
Person Specification
Experience and Knowledge
Essential
- Experience as a Healthcare Support Worker
- Ability to work in an often-challenging environments
Desirable
- Previous experience of working with people who require enhanced care
- Working knowledge of the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act.
Skills
Essential
- Ability to communicate with people and families around sensitive issues
- Skills in supporting people and families with emotional and behavioural issues
Desirable
- Skills in engaging people in recovery focused, resilience building exercises
Qualifications
Essential
- Hold a nationally approved Care Certificate - this must have been obtained in a healthcare setting.
Desirable
- Hold an NVQ/ Diploma level 3 in Healthcare/ or level 3 Healthcare Support Worker apprenticeship or equivalent experience.
- Functional skills English and maths level 2 or GCSE English and maths grades A*/9 - C/4.
Person Specification
Experience and Knowledge
Essential
- Experience as a Healthcare Support Worker
- Ability to work in an often-challenging environments
Desirable
- Previous experience of working with people who require enhanced care
- Working knowledge of the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act.
Skills
Essential
- Ability to communicate with people and families around sensitive issues
- Skills in supporting people and families with emotional and behavioural issues
Desirable
- Skills in engaging people in recovery focused, resilience building exercises
Qualifications
Essential
- Hold a nationally approved Care Certificate - this must have been obtained in a healthcare setting.
Desirable
- Hold an NVQ/ Diploma level 3 in Healthcare/ or level 3 Healthcare Support Worker apprenticeship or equivalent experience.
- Functional skills English and maths level 2 or GCSE English and maths grades A*/9 - C/4.
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.
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).
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.
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).
