A BERKSHIRE NHS Trust is on a recruitment drive in Bracknell and the surrounding areas for community nurses and is keen to hear from new jobseekers or individuals looking to re-join the healthcare sector.

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a community and mental health trust and provides a wide range of services to people of all ages across the county.

The trust works in partnership with Berkshire’s two acute hospital trusts, Royal Berkshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust.

It also works closely with Berkshire’s six local authorities and a diverse range of community and charitable organisations.

Berkshire Healthcare employs approximately 4,500 staff who operate in people’s homes and in various community settings. The Trust is considered a leading provider of mental and physical health services as it was the first trust of its kind to receive an ‘Outstanding’ rating by the Care Quality Commission. Its main site is based at Prospect Park Hospital in Reading.

Rachael Hitch, Early Careers Manager, at Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust says the CQC rating reflects the level of care and commitment its staff have in providing the best services possible.

Ms Hitch said: “The CQC rating showed we have created a positive culture where patients, carers and staff can share their experiences and concerns and feel valued.

“We have also demonstrated a commitment to the delivery of good quality patient care, that staff are proud to work here, and morale is good. We also encourage and support staff to innovate and develop new ideas and use technology to improve patient care.”

The Trust has already successful recruited candidates through attending recruitment fairs, running its own events at universities and colleges, and putting internal open days together too.

The Trust is also focusing on recruiting further afield and into London and has signed up as an exhibitor to Health & Social Care Jobs Live - the UK’s first ever show which is solely dedicated to recruitment in the healthcare sector. The event takes place at the Westfield Shopping Centre in White City, London on June 16-17.

Ms Hitch said: “We’re keen to hear from anyone who is interested in community nursing whether it be from existing nurses looking to change jobs, those are considering moving from one trust to another because they are relocating, or individuals looking for a more flexible way of working.

“There may be nurses looking for a change in lifestyle with a more work life balance, or others whose circumstances may have changed and now have a young family for example so need more flexibility. There may also be nurses who have left the NHS but considering returning to the sector.”

Ms Hitch says it is also vitally important that community nursing, sometimes referred to as district nursing, is promoted as a clear option for student nurses when studying at University.

She added: “Some students are not aware that becoming a community nurse is a career option, but it can be an extremely rewarding and flexible role.”

As well as recruiting community nurses, Berkshire Healthcare also has in-patient adult nursing opportunities as well as jobs for mental health nurses, learning disability nurses and children’s nurses.

There are also openings for allied health professionals (AHPs) including physiotherapists, podiatrists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists and dieticians.

In addition, there are a several types of vacancies to work in psychological therapies, including trainee psychological wellbeing Practitioner roles. For those without healthcare qualifications, there are healthcare support worker, peer support worker and corporate roles available too.