Job summary

We are seeking highly motivated and enthusiastic Healthcare Support Workers (full-time) to join our experienced multi-disciplinary team based at St Martins Hospital Canterbury.

Under the guidance and supervision of the team, you will deliver an effective and competent level of care to adults with Acute mental health needs. You will be involved in assisting patients in their day-to-day activities, supporting them to maintain and develop skills towards independence, and continue their recovery.

This post will involve shift working to cover 24 hours, 7 days a week.

Please note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.

Main duties of the job

Support the Multi Disciplinary Team by:

• Offering appropriate support and advice to the patients in our care, and accurately record all care given as required onto RiO and validating own entries.
• Provide physical health care & physical health checks as required or instructed, documenting the physical health checks on the modified early warning scoring system (NEWS) chart and reporting changes to the nurse in charge of the shift.
• Supporting and carrying out patient therapeutic observation checks as required and instructed.
• Escorting Patients to attend hospital appointments and Section 17 leave if requested.
• Taking the lead in a specific area of work for the ward, e.g. Wellbeing, Health & Safety or Patient Activity.
• Undertaking all relevant training as directed and participate in regular management/clinical supervision and appraisal.
• Working a full range of shifts covering a 24 hour period, including twilight and night shifts. You may also be required, at times, to work at other Trust sites.

Details

• Date posted: 02 November 2026
• Closing date: 16 November 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 3
• Salary: £25,760 to £27,476 a year per annum
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Reference number: 380-AC0817-B
• Job locations: St Martins, Littlebourne Road, Canterbury, CT1 1TD, United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached job description for full details of the main duties and responsibilities of the role.

Person Specification

Training and Qualifications

Essential

• NVQ Level 3 Qualification in Health and Social care or equivalent
• Care Certificate or ability to obtain within 6 months.
• Computer Literate

Experience

Essential

• A varied and considerable experience of working within Mental Health/Learning Disabilities setting.

Desirable

• Previous work with NHS

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• To have a good understanding of mental health conditions appropriate to the setting
• Numeracy and English literacy skills
• Punctual and flexible across hours of work
• Ability to undertake physical health checks and document on MEWS
• Ability to communicate effectively to a wide range of people.
• Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team, under the direction and supervision of a registered practitioner

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.

About us

We are Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust. We care for the mental health and wellbeing of people across Kent and Medway.

Our teams support children, young people and adults with a wide range of mental health needs. We also provide specialist services, including all-age eating disorder services and neurodevelopmental assessments for children and young people, such as autism and ADHD.

Because we work across the whole county and across hospital and community settings, we can make care more joined up and easier to access for the people we serve.

Our vision is simple: we are here to help communities not just live with mental illness, but live well. It's why we're passionate about working with communities to make mental health care better for everyone. Everything we do is guided by our values: caring, inclusive, curious and confident.

Join us if you share our passion for better mental health care and want to be part of a team that's working well together.

Employer details

• Employer name: Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust
• Address: St Martins, Littlebourne Road, Canterbury, CT1 1TD, United Kingdom
• Employer's website: https://www.kentmedwaymentalhealth.nhs.uk