Health Care Assistant

Bank Health Care Assistant – Kent Prisons (Band 3)

Employer: Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust
Salary: £32,346 per year (pro rata, including HCAS)
Location: Kent Prisons, Kent, England
Contract: Bank
Working Pattern: Flexible working
Pay Band: Band 3
Vacancies: Not specified
Closing Date: 16 November 2026
Date Posted: 2 November 2026
Reference: 277-BankHCA-Kent Prisons3
Visa Sponsorship: Not stated in the job advert. Applicants requiring sponsorship should confirm eligibility directly with the recruitment team.

Job Overview

Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting Bank Healthcare Assistants to support healthcare services across its Kent prison establishments.

This is an opportunity to work alongside registered healthcare professionals, delivering high-quality nursing care to patients in a secure prison environment.

The successful candidates will provide physical care in line with individual written care plans, undertake clinical observations, perform ECGs and provide basic wound care.

The role offers flexible bank working across several prison locations, depending on service requirements.

Available Work Locations

The position covers the following prison establishments:

• HMP Elmley: Isle of Sheppey – 24-hour healthcare service, including an inpatient unit.
• HMP Swaleside: Isle of Sheppey – High-security prison.
• HMP Standford Hill: Isle of Sheppey – Open prison.
• HMP Rochester: Rochester.
• HMP Cookham Wood: Rochester.
• HMP Maidstone: Maidstone.
• HMP East Sutton Park: Near Maidstone – Women’s open prison.

The prisons operate different healthcare arrangements, with some providing round-the-clock services.

Important: Access to the Isle of Sheppey prisons by public transport is difficult, so access to a vehicle is required for these locations.

Key Responsibilities

As a Bank Healthcare Assistant, your duties will include:

• Providing physical care to patients under the direction of registered nurses.
• Following individual written care plans and supporting patients’ healthcare needs.
• Taking clinical observations and carrying out ECGs.
• Providing basic wound care.
• Supporting registered healthcare professionals in delivering safe and effective patient care.
• Responding to emergencies and other urgent situations.
• Participating in risk assessments and individualised care planning.
• Supporting health promotion activities and patient self-help programmes.
• Treating patients with dignity, respect and without judgement.
• Communicating effectively with patients, healthcare professionals and prison staff.
• Maintaining accurate records and reporting incidents appropriately.
• Following prison security procedures and safeguarding patients, staff and visitors.

The position involves lone working and managing situations involving challenging behaviour.

Essential Qualifications

Applicants must have:

• NVQ Level 3 or equivalent experience.

Essential Experience

Candidates should demonstrate:

• Previous experience working as a Healthcare Assistant in a clinical setting, such as a hospital, secure environment or GP practice.
• Experience providing patient care and carrying out clinical tests or observations.
• Experience supporting or facilitating healthcare groups and activities, such as health improvement or smoking cessation programmes.
• Experience working within policies and procedures in a regulated patient-care environment.

Essential Skills and Abilities

Applicants should have:

• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• The ability to assess risks and contribute to effective care planning.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build positive relationships.
• The ability to support patients experiencing distress or emotional difficulties.
• The confidence to work under pressure and use initiative when delivering patient care.
• The ability to recognise poor practice and report concerns.
• A flexible approach to patient care and interventions.
• Basic IT skills and the ability to participate in audits and research projects.

Working Environment

This position is based within secure prison healthcare settings. Candidates must be comfortable working in a challenging environment and following strict prison security requirements.

The role may involve:

• Managing complex and challenging behaviour.
• Occasional exposure to verbal aggression.
• Supporting patients who may display physically aggressive behaviour.
• Manual handling and using approved breakaway techniques.
• Walking long distances and navigating multiple flights of stairs during shifts.
• Working in a demanding and sometimes pressurised environment.

An understanding of relevant legislation and guidance, including the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act, is also required.

About Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust

Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust provides community healthcare, mental health services, learning disability support and healthcare services in secure environments.

The Trust employs approximately 4,300 staff across more than 125 locations and is one of the largest NHS providers of prison healthcare services.

Its values are:

• We’re Kind.
• We’re Fair.
• We Listen.
• We Care.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit their applications online through the official NHS Jobs recruitment portal.

Applicants should review the essential qualifications and experience requirements carefully before applying.

For questions about this vacancy:

Recruitment and Retention Officer: Clare Denny
Email: claredenny@nhs.net

Closing Date: 16 November 2026