Job summary
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.

About us
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

Job 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 12 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

• 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

• Functional skills English and maths level 2 or GCSE English and maths grades A*/9 - C/4.
• Care Certificate

Experience/Knowledge
Essential

• 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

• Acute Sector experience
• Knowledge of current healthcare issues
• Full-time equivalent experience as a Theatre support worker in a care setting

Skills
Essential

• 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

• Organisational skills
• Experience to take delegated responsibility

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).

Employer details
Employer name: Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust
Address: Fordcombe Hospital, Tunbridge Wells, TN3 0RD, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.mtw.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Theatre Manager
Jane Wiseman
jane.wiseman@nhs.net
01892741137

Details
Date posted: 22 September 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 2
Salary: £12.71 an hour
Contract: Bank
Working pattern: Flexible working
Reference number: 359-8230239-BANK-A
Job locations: Fordcombe Hospital, Tunbridge Wells, TN3 0RD, United Kingdom

Supporting documents
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