Job overview
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust provide integrated sexual health and outreach support for West Kent in the districts, Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells, Gravesend and Dartford
We are now looking for enthusiastic, flexible and committed staff, willing to work in a progressive and supportive environment at our North Kent services, willing to learn new skills, who is confident in working with people from all ages and backgrounds with varied sexual health and contraception needs.
Main duties of the job
This role is a combination of administrative and clinical duties and will require cross site working across all four districts, to include evening and weekend working.
We will support you in career and professional development including working towards an equivalent qualification within health and social care.
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 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.
to hear what our staff say.
Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:
1. At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).
2. Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefits
3. Blue Light card eligibility
4. And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
We’ve 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.
If appointed, you will undertake a comprehensive induction programme, including the corporate induction and dedicated training days for Healthcare Support Workers. This will equip you with the knowledge and skills required to carry out your role effectively.
The induction programme is full-time for one week, with an additional 1–2 days depending on your previous experience. Attendance at all sessions is mandatory, and training days will run from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and may be at either Maidstone Hospital or Tunbridge Wells Hospital.
Following induction, you will complete a two-week supernumerary period within your clinical area, during which you will be supported by members of the education team. Ongoing support will also be provided to help you complete the Care Certificate (if not already achieved) and the required competencies relevant to your clinical area.
If you do not currently hold a nationally recognised Care Certificate obtained in a healthcare setting from a registered provider, you can commence this role as a Trainee Healthcare Support Worker, Band 2. Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust will assist you with on-the-job training to complete your Care Certificate within the 6-month probationary period, with a minimum completion time being 3 months. Upon successful completion of the Care Certificate, you will progress to a Band 3 Healthcare Support Worker.
Please note that if you are currently on or are looking to move to a visa that requires sponsorship by MTW- you would only meet the UKVI sponsorship eligibility criteria if you have over 2 years permanent NHS experience in a clinical role as per agenda for change pay circular.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
5. •Hold a nationally approved Care Certificate – this must have been obtained in a healthcare setting.
Desirable criteria
6. •Certificate in Sexually transmitted foundation course (STIF).
7. •Certificate in Child sexual exploitation (CSE).
8. •Certificate in Microscopy.
9. •Certificate in Get It training.
10. •Hold an NVQ/ Diploma level 3 in Healthcare/ or level 3 Healthcare Support Worker apprenticeship or equivalent experience.
11. •Functional skills English and maths level 2 or GCSE English and maths grades A*/9 – C/4.
Experience/Knowledge
Essential criteria
12. •Experience of working as a health care professional.
13. •Previous experience in an acute care setting.
14. •Able to work with highly confidential information.
15. •Can compare basic test results to normal values.
Desirable criteria
16. •Experience in family planning, HIV or GUM setting.
17. •Current healthcare issues.
18. •Ongoing learning in sexual and contraception health including HIV.
Skills
Essential criteria
19. •Excellent communication skills.
20. •Mature approach to Sexual health issues when dealing with patients.
21. •Ability to co-ordinate a number of activities which may require the adjustment of plans.
22. •Fast track Asymptomatic screening
Desirable criteria
23. •Basic partner notification.
24. •To provide opportunistic brief interventions and positive health promotion messages.