Job overview
We are seeking experienced Band 3 Health Care Support Workers who hold a nationally recognised Care Certificate obtained in an acute setting. The ideal candidates will demonstrate a genuine passion for delivering tailored, personalised care to individuals requiring additional support, ensuring that every patient receives safe, compassionate, and high-quality care.
The role of the Enhanced Care Health Care Support Worker is to support recovery and provide care to people with enhanced care needs across the organisation. Enhanced care is provided to patients who require additional support due to dementia, delirium, mental health conditions, challenging behaviour, or physical health needs that may compromise their safety or the safety of others. It is an integral part of therapeutic planning, involving sensitive monitoring of both physical and psychological wellbeing while fostering meaningful therapeutic relationships. Enhanced care may involve supporting groups of patients or providing one-to-one care.
The successful candidate will be expected to treat all patients, relatives, visitors, and colleagues with respect, dignity, and courtesy, in line with the Trust’s values.
This role may attract a high volume of applications. Please be aware that the vacancy may close earlier than the advertised closing date, so we encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity.
Main duties of the job
1. Demonstrate a clear understanding of care and treatment programmes for individuals with enhanced care needs, providing instruction, advice, and guidance to patients, families, and carers.
2. Make appropriate adjustments independently (within competence and skill set) and communicate changes effectively to patients and registered health care professionals.
3. Develop and maintain therapeutic relationships, adopting a polite, empathetic, and positive approach to communication.
4. Assess situations, identify potential issues, and resolve them within the scope of competence.
5. Assist in managing verbal or physical aggression using recognised de-escalation techniques.
6. Provide one-to-one support and/or supervision to individuals or groups under the direction of registered health care professionals, within a delegated framework.
7. Organise and facilitate meaningful activities tailored to patient needs, liaising with the multi-disciplinary team to coordinate daily plans in line with risk assessments.
8. Exercise independence, initiative, and sound judgement, considering different approaches when delivering care and support.
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:
9. At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).
10. Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefits
11. Blue Light card eligibility
12. 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).
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 Trust’s 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: ), 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 criteria
13. Experience as a Healthcare Support Worker
14. Ability to work in an often-challenging environments
Desirable criteria
15. Previous experience of working with people who require enhanced care
16. Working knowledge of the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act.
Skills
Essential criteria
17. Ability to communicate with people and families around sensitive issues
18. Skills in supporting people and families with emotional and behavioural issues
Desirable criteria
19. Skills in engaging people in recovery focused, resilience building exercises
Qualifications
Essential criteria
20. Hold a nationally approved Care Certificate – this must have been obtained in a healthcare setting.
Desirable criteria
21. Hold an NVQ/ Diploma level 3 in Healthcare/ or level 3 Healthcare Support Worker apprenticeship or equivalent experience.
22. Functional skills English and maths level 2 or GCSE English and maths grades A*/9 – C/4.