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Job summary

Main area
Bank
Grade
Band 2
Contract
Bank
Hours
  • Flexible working
  • Other
0 hours per week (As required)
Job ref
359-8230239-BANK
Employer
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Fordcombe Hospital
Town
Tunbridge Wells
Salary
£12.71 Per hour
Salary period
Hourly
Closing
31/08/2026 23:59
Interview date
09/09/2026

Employer heading

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust logo

Theatre Support Worker - Fordcombe - Staff Bank

Band 2

Job overview

Please note: This is a bank-only role and work is offered on an as-and-when-required basis, providing flexibility to suit a wide range of personal circumstances.

 Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust is delighted to offer exciting opportunities for compassionate and skilled individuals to join our dedicated nursing teams at Fordcombe Hospital, located just outside Royal Tunbridge Wells, as Theatre Support Workers.

If you are committed to delivering high-quality care and are eager to build a career in healthcare, we encourage you to apply and become part of our dedicated team.

Please note that the Fordcombe Site is located in a rural area with limited access via public transport.  You will need to ensure you are available to attend the time during the day and evenings. Access to a vehicle is advantageous. 

Main duties of the job

Why join our staff bank?

•    Be part of a supportive, inclusive, and diverse team that upholds the Trust’s core PRIDE values.
•    Gain hands-on experience in a dynamic healthcare environment
•    Cost of DBS and uniform covered by the Trust 
•    Weekly payroll
•    Support with development and revalidation
•    Online shift booking system
•    Dedicated team to support with any queries 
•    Access to NHS Pension 

The Trust is consistently recognised for its positive workplace culture, ranked among the Top 10 NHS Employers in the UK in both the 2023 and 2024 NHS National Staff Surveys.

Working for our organisation

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust is proud to be ranked among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide, and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in both the 2023 and 2024 NHS Staff Surveys.

We are a large acute hospital trust based in South East England, providing high-quality general and specialist hospital services to around 600,000 residents across West Kent and East Sussex. Our dedicated and diverse workforce of over 8,000 staff also delivers specialist cancer services through the Kent Oncology Centre.

In October 2024, Fordcombe Hospital near Tunbridge Wells joined the Trust. This planned care facility offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, a full range of diagnostic services, and consultation and treatment suites.

Our Staff Bank plays a vital role in supporting our services by providing flexible, skilled cover for temporary staffing needs across all specialties. It offers a rewarding and adaptable way to work, giving you the opportunity to broaden your experience, explore different specialties, and potentially move into a permanent role within the Trust.

Benefits include:
•    Competitive pay
•    Flexible, ‘as and when’ working patterns
•    Free DBS check and uniform
•    Priority access to shifts over agency staff
•    Weekly payroll
•    Support for ongoing development and revalidation
•    Easy-to-use online shift booking system - Loop
•    Access to the NHS Pension Scheme
•    Blue light card eligibility

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. 

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • • Functional skills English and maths level 1 or GCSE English and maths grade G/1 or above.
  • • 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.
Desirable criteria
  • • Functional skills English and maths level 2 or GCSE English and maths grades A*/9 – C/4.
  • • Care Certificate

Experience/Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • • Full- time equivalent experience as a healthcare support worker or trainee in a care setting
  • • Insight into role and responsibilities of post.
  • • Able to describe the importance of delivering high quality care to patients.
  • • Knowledge of the Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers and Adult Social Care Workers (2013).
Desirable criteria
  • • Acute Sector experience
  • • Knowledge of current healthcare issues

Skills

Essential criteria
  • • Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team
  • • Demonstrates ability to use own initiative
  • • Effective & concise communication skills demonstrated.
  • • Reliability and flexibility
  • • Can understand and communicate factual information correctly
Desirable criteria
  • • Organisational skills
  • • Experience to take delegated responsibility

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Kent and Medway Work Place Wellbeing AwardNHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardTrust IDVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyMenopause Friendly EmployerPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - GoldArmed Forces CovenantPride In VeteransRoyal College of Anaesthetists AccreditedNHS England Bronze Award

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Jane Wiseman
Job title
Theatre Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01892 741137
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