Enhanced Care Health Care Support Worker(UK Visa Sponsorship)

Job Description

About the Role

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust is looking for experienced Band 3 Health Care Support Workers to join our Enhanced Care workforce. This role is ideal for compassionate professionals who are motivated by making a real difference to patients who need additional, personalised support.

Enhanced Care focuses on supporting patients whose safety, recovery, or wellbeing may be affected by conditions such as dementia, delirium, mental health needs, challenging behaviour, or complex physical health issues. You will play a vital role in helping people feel safe, understood, and respected during their time in hospital.

Care may be delivered on a one-to-one basis or within small patient groups, always under the direction of registered healthcare professionals and in line with individual care plans.

Why Enhanced Care Matters

Enhanced Care is a key part of modern NHS practice, supporting national priorities around patient safety, dignity, and personalised care, including those outlined by:

NHS England – Compassionate and personalised care standards

Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) – health and social care policy

Care Quality Commission (CQC) – safe and effective care frameworks

What You Will Be Doing

As an Enhanced Care Health Care Support Worker, you will:

• Provide safe, person-centred care to patients with enhanced physical, emotional, or psychological needs
• Build therapeutic relationships through empathy, patience, and respectful communication
• Support patients and families by offering clear guidance, reassurance, and information
• Make appropriate adjustments to care within your competence and communicate changes promptly to registered staff
• Use recognised de-escalation techniques to manage distress, agitation, or aggression safely
• Deliver one-to-one supervision or group support as delegated by the multidisciplinary team
• Organise and support meaningful, therapeutic activities aligned with individual care plans and risk assessments
• Use initiative and sound judgement while working within professional boundaries and Trust policies

About You

We are looking for individuals who combine experience, emotional intelligence, and professionalism.

Essential requirements:

• Experience working as a Healthcare Support Worker in an acute healthcare setting
• A nationally recognised Care Certificate, obtained in a healthcare environment
• Confidence working in challenging or unpredictable situations
• Strong communication skills, especially around sensitive or distressing issues

Desirable attributes:

• Experience supporting people with enhanced care needs
• Awareness of the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act
• Ability to engage patients in recovery-focused or resilience-building activities

Training, Induction & Safeguarding

All successful candidates will complete:

Corporate Trust Induction

A two-week Clinical Induction Programme for Healthcare Support Workers, including classroom learning and supernumerary clinical shifts across Trust sites

This role is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, in line with safeguarding requirements

Working With Us

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust is proud to be ranked among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationally, and the second best Trust to work for in the South East according to the 2023 and 2024 NHS Staff Survey.

We serve around 600,000 residents across West Kent and East Sussex and provide specialist cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre. Our workforce of more than 8,000 staff reflects the diversity of the communities we serve.

We are also a flexible-working friendly organisation and encourage conversations about working patterns that support wellbeing, career sustainability, and excellent patient care.

What We Offer

Joining us means access to a comprehensive NHS benefits package, including:

• At least 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays (pro rata)
• Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme with a 20.6% employer contribution
• Blue Light Card discounts
• Ongoing training, development, and career progression opportunities

Equality, Inclusion & Values

We are committed to creating an inclusive, respectful, and supportive workplace. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are proud to uphold NHS values of compassion, dignity, and respect.