Job summary
We are looking for an enthusiastic and adaptable Community Nurse to join our strong and progressive team in Thanet. You will share the CARE values of the trust and work within a close-knit group of people who bring the feeling of community to the team through their hard work and dedication to nursing and to the people of the area. Community Adult Nursing teams in Kent are aligning with Primary Care Network footprints encouraging innovative change to ensure that patient care is holistic and needs-led. Community is the heart of our trust and we are working with primary care colleagues locally to respond to the needs of our patients and we want you to be part of this change. Thanet is made up of a diverse patient group with complex needs and by working in a community-based way we can ensure that services are targeted and patient-focused, and we are proactive in our input and response.

Main duties of the job
As Community Nurses we support the nursing needs of house bound patients living in and around the areas of Thanet. We will enable and empower patients to self-care where possible so that patients can stay safe and well at home or in their chosen environment. We provide valuable care, supporting people to manage their long-term conditions and maximise their independence, which in turn can prevent admission into hospital or enable a quicker discharge if they are admitted. As a service, we may provide wound management, palliative and end of life care and symptom control and catheter care. We also take blood and administer injectable medication. Our aim is to ensure that our patients have access to the care that they need, at the time they need it.

You'll play a vital role in our multidisciplinary services; managing patients with complex needs in the community. You will have the freedom to plan care in your own way, with time to develop your assessment and treatment skills, and access to great supervision and a clinical lead to make sure you're on the right track. We also have a nurturing preceptee programme and many development opportunities to support you. Our aim is to build on collaborations so that we can continue to build a positive patient experience.

As a Trust we will support with learning, development and progression. For further information of career pathways please call to have a further discussion.

About us
Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust is due to integrate with Medway Community Healthcare on 1 October 2026. Following integration and to align our community services to the new Neighbourhood Model of care delivery, there will be a period of consultation which may result in changes affecting some services, teams or roles. Depending on the area you are applying to work in, this could include potential changes to your role, work base, reporting arrangements, or terms and conditions of employment. Any changes would be subject to consultation and managed sensitively and in line with relevant employment processes. Please do contact the recruiting manager if you have any concerns about this so they can answer any questions you might have.

Rated 'Outstanding' by CQC, we deliver high-quality care that improves the health of our communities. We are looking for people who share our values: Compassionate, Aspirational, Responsive and Excellent.

We are proud to be an inclusive, welcoming organisation and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We use protected characteristic information for monitoring only and it is not seen by recruiting managers, except where applicants choose to be considered under our disability guaranteed interview scheme.

We know life outside work matters. As a flexible working-friendly organisation, we welcome conversations about arrangements that help you thrive while supporting excellent care for our patients.

Job responsibilities
As a community Trust, many of our roles require individuals to be able to drive to perform their duties. Where driving is a requirement of the role, you will be asked to confirm that you hold a full UK driving licence or a full driving licence issued by an EU country (not exchanged from a non-EU country) to proceed with your application. We are committed to supporting candidates with disabilities into employment. If you are unable to drive due to a disability, please contact the Recruitment Team via kentchft.recruitment@nhs.net, quoting the vacancy reference number, so we can support you further.

The job description and person specification gives you all the information you need about this role. Please look carefully at the criteria in the person specification and tell us what you have done that shows you meet this in your application. If you need an application form in an alternative format please let our recruitment team know. All information you supply on your application should, to the best of your knowledge, be true and accurate.

Still have questions? The recruiting manager would love to hear from you, their contact details can be found in the job advert.

We can get a lot of applications for some roles so to be in with the best chance of being shortlisted please make sure you apply as soon as possible. A vacancy may close early if there is a lot of interest in the job.

At KCHFT we strongly encourage colleagues in clinical and non-clinical roles who have direct or social contact with patients to be fully vaccinated. In this way we will be doing all we can to ensure your safety and that of your colleagues and the patients we serve.

Person Specification
QualificationsEssential

• Level 6 Degree or equivalent qualification, or equivalent knowledge acquired through experience plus a diploma in nursing
• You'll need to have recent experience of healthcare gained through education, work experience or previous employment. This role is ideal for a newly qualified graduate nurse.
• You will be a registered health care professional with the Nursing and Midwifery Council

ExperienceEssential

• Experience of recent community/acute healthcare gained through education or work experience placement or previous employment.

KnowledgeEssential

• Knowledge of up to date clinical practice.

Desirable

• An awareness of developments within the NHS

Skills & AbilitiesEssential

• Sound communication and interpersonal skills (verbal and written)
• Ability to organise own work

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).

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.