About this role
Job summary
Please note: at this stage, the role is open only to colleagues currently employed within Kent and Medway NHS Trusts, the Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Medway Community Healthcare or working on the Staff Bank within these organisations. Nursing and AHP vacancies are also open to Student Nurses and Newly Qualified Nurses/AHPs.
The NHS is changing. More emphasis on community-based care means there's never been a better time to join us. We believe in treating the whole person, not just the condition. We are looking for an enthusiastic and adaptable Healthcare Assistant to join our caring and progressive team in Sevenoaks. You will work as part of a close-knit team who are dedicated to the health and wellbeing of people in Sevenoaks. Sevenoaks is made up of a diverse patient group with complex needs. Healthcare assistants make a difference by helping to keep people at home and independent for longer. Our community nursing teams are closely aligned with local Primary Care Networks, to make sure patient care is holistic and joined up. We believe in treating the whole person, not just the condition, so we take time to get to know our patients.
Main duties of the job
Healthcare assistants provide care to people at home and in residential care homes, as part of a care plan agreed with local nursing teams.
As a healthcare assistant you'll:
Work as part of a team to provide care to local patients and families monitor the quality of care they're receiving provide feedback to managers on the quality of care. Your patients could be any age, but they'll often be elderly, while others may have been recently discharged from hospital, be terminally ill or have physical disabilities.
As a Healthcare Assistant you will work as part of a team to keep people safe and well at home. You will carry out care plans designed to support people living at home, in care homes or other settings and make sure that people who use our services have a good experience.
Please note, this vacancy does not meet the criteria for skilled worker sponsorship and therefore, we are unable to accept applications from candidates that cannot provide documentary evidence of right to work in the United Kingdom.
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.
Explore KCHFTcareer pathways
Job description 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 [email protected], 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.
Find out more about the community differencehere.
Good luck! We cant wait to meet you and welcome you to #teamKCHFT, #cometocommunity.
Person Specification
Qualifications, training and experience Essential
A Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) Level 3. This could be an NVQ Level 3 apprenticeship, BTEC or equivalent international qualification in healthcare. Or you will be able to demonstrate the equivalent level of experience. Functional Skills at Level 2 (Literacy and numeracy/ GCSE grade A-C/ 4-9 or equivalent in English and Maths) Recent experience of healthcare/ working as a health care assistant gained through education, work experience or previous employment.
Desirable
You may also have the Care Certificate, but if not, we will support you to achieve this within the first 3 months of starting.
Knowledge and skills Essential
Sound communication skills in order to understand and communicate both verbally and in writing. A customer focussed approach which is essential to: Provide patients, clients and their families with the best possible experience; represent the Trust when talking to and working with patients, colleagues and visitors; and work together with colleagues and other teams across the Trust. Able to use IT systems and databases. Able to remain professional, work well under pressure and organise your own work in order to prioritise care delivery in line with trust policies and procedures. Have the skill to focus on the details with the ability to spot problems. You will know when you are within your own limits and when to escalate.
Desirable
Be adaptable in work as things change throughout the course of the day and to support the wider team. Have knowledge of up to date clinical practice by using up- to- date skills and adhering to evidence-based procedures and clinical effectiveness frameworks. You will fully understand the role and remit of a health care worker. Having an awareness of developments within the NHS would be an advantage. Understand where to signpost clients and families to alternative services to support behaviour change and improve health.
Working environment Essential
A full, valid UK driving licence or a full driving licence issued by an EU country (not exchanged from a non-EU country) and the ability to travel independently are essential for this role.
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.
Employer details Employer name Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust
Address Sevenoaks OPD
Sevenoaks
TN13 3PG
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.kentcht.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)