What is an NHS Staff Bank?

By on
74 comments
Tagged in nhs staff bank

 

What is an NHS Staff Bank? - Bank Partners

 




Register with Bank Partners here

Firstly, staff banks have nothing to do with the banking industry or where you keep your money. An NHS staff bank is an entity managed by a trust, or through a third-party organisation who contract healthcare professionals to take on temporary shifts at trust hospitals.

There are many reasons they may be needed but the Francis Report of 2013, which drew a focus on patient safety, quality of care and a culture of collective leadership, provided recommendations on the level of nursing staff that are required per patient across the country.

In order to meet these standards, NHS Trusts rely on temporary workers to meet the fluctuating staffing needs caused by staff illness, or increased patient demand.

Thanks to this regular level of demand across the country for healthcare professionals, staff banks always have shifts available for their bank staff.

These staff play a vital role in ensuring high standards of patient care are maintained, meaning these temporary workers are highly valued.

So why work for an NHS staff bank?


There are a huge number of benefits to choosing to work flexible shifts for an NHS staff bank including:

  • Weekly pay and online timesheets allow for easier planning and to get extra cash when needed
  • Personal development and gaining skills in new areas
  • Priority placement over agency workers meaning you have your pick of available shifts
  • Be a part of the NHS family and a valued member of the Trust workforce
  • Supportive onsite team (All Bank Partners staff banks have an onsite presence to ensure questions and concerns can be answered promptly and face-to-face)

On top of this, bank staff are able to choose what shifts they want to take on, giving them a great deal of flexibility when deciding to work days over nights, or weekdays over weekends.

Who can work for an NHS staff bank?


Any healthcare professional can join an NHS staff bank, although typically they ask for at least six-months NHS experience to register you. The flexible shifts available work for a variety of people and reasons. Some people who may find flexible shifts particularly beneficial are:

Those who are retired but looking to keep their knowledge current or earn a little extra.

  • Those who are parents or have family commitments and need shifts that fit around school, childcare and more.
  • Those working substantively at an NHS trust and looking for additional shifts to supplement their income. Many substantive workers who choose to work on the bank at either their own trust or another NHS trust, do this to experience greater variety in their work or take additional shifts in their usual ward.
  • Those who are looking to try out new wards or hospitals to gain more knowledge and experience.
  • Those who are students looking to gain experience of a clinical setting and to earn whilst they are learning. You can find out more about why students can bank on getting great experience with their staff bank here.

In addition to this, staff banks also offer fantastic career progression and gives workers a chance not only to gain NHS experience, but also to work in a specialism they are looking to develop.

Working as part of an NHS staff bank can often lead to lines of work, which are longer term contracts meaning when a permanent opportunity opens, bank staff are perfectly placed to fill the role.

What do real bank workers say about joining the staff bank?


Whether you have six-months experience or six years, there are plenty of opportunities working for the staff bank.

Staff banks are just as beneficial for the trust as they are for a worker. They are often significantly more cost effective than using healthcare agencies, but they also give the trust access to an army of workers.

NHS staff bank workers have all been reviewed and approved to work to high standards set by the trust and guidelines. Without staff bank workers, the Trust would struggle to maintain safe staffing levels and high standards of patient care in such a manageable way.

As an outsourced managed workforce organisation providing staff bank services to NHS trusts, Bank Partners are proud to support staff banks in London, Surrey, and Hampshire. This means we have hundreds of opportunities for healthcare professionals and non-clinical workers looking to work with the NHS.

Please view the full list of NHS trusts in our staff bank family. And we would love to welcome you to be part of them. You can contact any of our staff banks directly or alternatively register your interest to join one.

Post a comment
Note: We will not publish your email address on the site

Comments

  • By on

    I have worked in the maintenance department as nhs bank staff for approx 12 months, and worked in the same possition for two years previous as an agency worker. My question is, do I have the same benefits as nursing bank staff? ie am I a key worker. Thank you in advance.

  • By on

    Hi Linda, thanks for getting in touch.

    You should be entitled to the same benefits as a permanent worker doing the same role whether you are bank or agency after a 12-week qualifying period. The benefits may not be the same as the nursing bank, however and may also depend on how much you work. In some of the trusts we operate, bank workers switch onto Agency Worker Regulations (AWR) after 12 weeks with the associated rates and benefits, but if you don’t work a shift for six weeks or more the clock goes back and the 12-week qualifying period starts again.

    Take a look at the Agency Worker Guidelines to find information specific to your circumstances and if you think that you’re not being treated the same as a permanent worker then speak directly to your HR department.

    https://www.gov.uk/agency-workers-your-rights/when-youre-an-agency-worker

    I hope that helps,

    Elizabeth

  • By on

    Hello,

    Can I please ask about the rights of bank staff and annual leave?

    Many thanks

    Sara

  • By on

    Hi Sara,

    Thanks for getting in touch. As a bank worker, your annual leave entitlements may depend on the trust for which you work. It may be best to contact a member of staff at your trust’s bank directly and they should be able to give you some advice and assistance based on your individual situation.

    All the best

    Elizabeth

  • By on

    How long do I have to work in an admin bank position with the NHS before being able to become permanent?

  • By on

    Hi Mimi, although working for the bank is an excellent way to gain experience through flexible shifts that suit you, when and how you choose the join the NHS as a permanent employee is down to individual circumstances. Working bank shifts does not automatically lead to a permanent role. If there is a permanent position within your field, you can apply and the bank work you’ve done in a similar capacity may well give you the edge over other applicants, but this is ultimately the Trust’s decision.

  • By on

    Hi am looking to getting in to philibotomist as a trainee but haveing trouble getting a trained position or even work exspereances.i have payed my self and been on a training coures that was practical and written but still haveing trouble with getting any therther. Am located in Liverpool on the wirral.

  • By on

    Hi,

    I've been working for Ramsay for the last 5 months. Even though I'm bank should i still be getting taxed?

    Thank you

  • By on

    Hi Morgan-Rose, thanks for your enquiry. We don’t have any association with Ramsay Health Care so you’d have to contact your employer about your tax and payroll – they’ll be best to advise you. If you want to register with an NHS staff bank just click on the ‘register’ link above and we’ll be happy to contact you back.

    Thanks for getting in touch,

    Elizabeth

  • By on

    I have been working with staff bank since 2012 for the NHS Trust and now I have taken on substantive post in the same Trust. My question is, will my service for NHS be counted as continuous service? I have been paying for NHS pension as well.
    will my leave entitlement start as new? Appreciate if you could point to any policy that explains this.
    Thanking you in advance
    BW Jacqui

  • By on

    I have my induction with the NHS on Monday to join their admin bank staff; what I would like to know is how much work do you normally get as admin bank staff?

    I currently have a full time job but I would much prefer to work for the NHS even if it's only going to be 3 or 4 days a week. but any less than 3 days on average and I would have to stay in my current job

  • By on

    Hello,

    I'm currently working as bank nurse for Barts Health NHS Trust under Bank partners. I would like to know if bank nurses have maternity leaves cause it has been told to me that if I'm not working for few months I may loose the job or not be able to book a shift for a long time as in penalty.
    I would like to have more information about it.

    Thanks for your answer
    Kind regards
    Erica

  • By on

    Hi Darren, thanks for getting in touch

    We operate eight staff banks for NHS Trusts across the UK and rates vary depending on the job role, which trust you have joined and other factors so I’m afraid there isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ answer. Length of bank assignments for administration and clerical roles will also vary from trust to trust and dependent on the job role availability. The best thing you can do is to talk to your contact at the trust and get the specific details from them.

    All the best

    Elizabeth

  • By on

    Hi Erica,

    On behalf of Bank Partners and Barts, thank you for supporting the Trust through working bank shifts with us. We've got your contact details on our system so one of our business support team will be in touch shortly, but just to be clear you would not lose your job if on maternity leave.

    Many thanks
    Elizabeth

  • By on

    I'm interested in joining the NHS bank as health care assistant.

    Thank you

  • By on

    Hi Kirsty, thanks for your comment. We operate eight staff banks for hospitals in the Midlands/South of England. If you have at least six months’ experience in the NHS you can register to join one of the staff banks we operate. Take a look at the link below to find out more information about the staff banks we operate for our partner trusts.

    https://www.bankpartners.co.uk/our-trusts/

  • By on

    Hi,
    I would like to know roughly what the pay scale equivalent is moving from bank staff to substantive staff for 19h/ week. I understand this will vary amongst Trusts.

    On the same band and point I'm assuming substantive take home less monthly than bank staff to take into account the sick pay adjustment. Is that correct?

    If so, to take the same pay home each month, what would the equivalent point adjustment be (roughly)? 1 point higher? 2 points?

    Does that make sense?

    Many thanks in advance

  • By on

    Hi Rebecca

    Unfortunately we can’t give you general advice on this, as there are so many factors that will determine what your pay will be when moving from a purely substantive role to a purely bank role. As you say, it varies among trusts, but also by role and other circumstances, so there’s no ‘hard and fast’ rule. The best move will be to drop by your local trust’s staff bank office and talk to them – they’ll be able to give you much more detailed information.

    Thanks

    Elizabeth

  • By on

    Hi I have worked on the bank for 2 years continuously in an admin role and have become pregnant what are my rights in terms of maternity pay, antenatal etc thanks

  • By on

    I've been working as a Bank Nurse in Barts Health NHS Trust and I would like to apply also for King's Trust.
    How does it work with taxes deductions? Will I pay the same amount/pay as I earn or will they consider me having a second employment?

    Thanks for the answer
    Kind regards
    Erica Degani

  • By on

    Hi, i do not have any experience in working for/ with the NHS, however, i do have some support work experience, and befriending experience. Would these be sufficient enough or do i need get specific nursing experience?

    regards

  • By on

    Hi Clinton,

    We require all our bank workers in clinical roles to have experience within the NHS (at least six months but preferably more) as well as training relevant to the role and registration with the appropriate body (NMC, GMC etc.) As such, unfortunately support work/ befriending experience wouldn’t be enough for us to work with you I’m afraid.

    All the best

    Elizabeth

  • By on

    I work in a NHS trust in Birmingham on bank. Recetly been told i am no longer employer how will this affect my NHS pension even though I have not left

  • By on

    Hi Diane,

    Thanks for your comment. Unfortunately we can’t advise you in this case, as Bank Partners don’t run your staff bank and have no association with it. You’d have to talk to the staff bank team in your hospital who should be able to get you accurate advice specific to you.

    Thanks,

    Elizabeth

  • By on

    I would like to register as a Bank Staff , thank you .

  • By on

    Hi,

    Thanks for contacting us – if you register at bankpartners.co.uk/register telling us your experience and which trust you are interested in working for, we can progress your registration. As long as you have the relevant qualifications and over six months experience working for the NHS, we’d love to have you on board.

  • By on

    I have applied for a Bank position. As far as I can see, the position would not be considered as permanent. If I am taken on, what would be the risk of ending up with no job later on?

  • By on

    Hi George,

    Thanks for getting in touch – working bank means taking on flexible shifts depending on where the need is within the trust. We can’t guarantee that shifts will always be available for your specialism or in the areas that you might want to work in. This way of working suits many people who for various reasons would prefer a flexible career, or simply want to take on additional shifts alongside their permanent, full-time job, but it isn’t for everyone. If you’d like to talk more about working bank shifts, please contact us at info@bankpartners.co.uk

    Many thanks
    Mike

  • By on

    I have worked for nhs trust Northumberland since last December in a driving delivery role for surgical instruments department to date have I to apply for the role or after a while the role becomes mine many thanks Gary

  • By on

    Hi Cooper

    Thanks for getting in touch – unfortunately as NHS Northumberland Trust is not one we operate we are unable to advise on this matter.

    We recommend that you get in touch with your Trust HR department regarding this and they should be able to answer your questions. I hope that this helps

    Many thanks

    Amy

  • By on

    Hi I am a phlebotomist at whht
    In the future I would like to work more flexible as I would like to travel
    For instance maybe like 3 weeks off sometimes different weeks off here and there! I wouldn't expect to be paid while off! Does the bank work for this kind of working ? Basically choose what weeks / months I want to work?

  • By on

    Hi Geraldine

    Yes, joining the staff bank will allow you to work flexibly and only work the dates you choose. You provide your availability so if there are weeks you don’t want to work, then you just say that you aren’t available then.

    I hope this helps!

    Many thanks
    Bank Partners

  • By on

    If you are interested in an NHS bank position, do you need to be currently employed by the NHS or to have been employed by the NHS recently? I am interested in becoming a bank porter.

  • By on

    Hi George
    You do not have to be currently working for the NHS to join the staff bank, however you do require a minimum of 6 months recent NHS experience. To find out more about joining your local staff bank, you can contact our teams through their individual Trust pages - https://www.bankpartners.co.uk/our-trusts/

    I hope this helps

    Amy

  • By on

    I am looking to undertake administration work on an as and when required basis

    I have over 30 years experience in this area, I am computer literate .

    I am hard working person who will undertake all tasks to a high standard.

  • By on

    What is the difference between agency temp staff and bank staff? or are they the same apart from bank staff is employed by the NHS?

    (I noticed my last question has disappeared from yesterday, but this is the same question just a very short version)

  • By on

    Hi Andy,

    Although we can’t comment on individual cases or pay queries, there are some notable differences between bank and agency. Staff banks play a vital role supporting the NHS to maintain high standards of patient safety and care. Tight budgets and increased demands on every ward mean NHS trusts are ever more reliant on temporary workers - staff banks provide them a manageable solution. If a hospital does not have enough staff on a ward, due to increased demand, sickness, or simple staff shortages, they need to call upon temporary staff. Agencies provide a short-term fix but charge a very large fee. Bank Partners works with trusts to reduce the reliance on agencies by developing a pool of highly-skilled workers who want to work for the NHS. This pool can then be used to fill staff shortages with highly competent, pre-screened health workers. For more information, please see our page on worker benefits here: https://www.bankpartners.co.uk/candidates/worker-benefits/

  • By on

    I would like to work as a bank staff, so I can choose the shifts I want to work

  • By on

    Thank you Hussain. Working through the staff bank is a great way to work the hours of your choice. If you’re interested in joining one of our staff banks you can register your interest here https://www.bankpartners.co.uk/register/

  • By on

    Do bank staff have the same rights and benefits?
    I am not so sure.
    Do NHS pay us hight cost are allowance or fringe?

  • By on

    HHello I m interested to join bank. I am not a uk resident and do not pay taxes in UK. I am resident in Italy but would like to join bank and work on weekends in a london based hospital. Befrore doing so I would like to know if I need to be resident in the UK to join bank or i can join and be payed in an italian bank account? or be payed in a uk bank account before tax deductions and then pay taxes in my country where i currently reside so not to declare to HMRC and risk to pay taxes twice ?
    thanks

  • By on

    Hi,

    I just wanted to know if I wanted to join staff bank and do admin would I need to have previous experience in doing admin.

    Thank you.

  • By on

    Why does the Staff Bank keep hassling me - I am nothing to do with nursing, doctors etc and it is really annoying!!!!!!

  • By on

    Hi,

    Thanks for contacting us. Bank Partners is a provider of temporary staff (both clinical and non-clinical) to the NHS. We only contact our workers, or anyone who has asked us to contact them because they are interested in working in the NHS.

    We can’t find your details on our system, so it may be that you’re being contacted by another company. Either way, we’d advise that you unsubscribe from any emails you no longer want to receive by clicking on ‘unsubscribe’ which most companies will have at the very top or bottom of their emails to you.

    All the best,

    Elizabeth

  • By on

    Hi Lamisha,

    To work at one of our staff banks, you’ll need 6 months’ NHS experience as well as experience in your specialism – this applies to all of our admin roles as well as our clinical roles. To see our latest vacancies, follow this link https://www.bankpartners.co.uk/non-clinical/jobs/search-results/

    Thanks,
    Elizabeth

  • By on

    Hi Lamisha,

    To work at one of our staff banks, you’ll need 6 months’ NHS experience as well as experience in your specialism – this applies to all of our admin roles as well as our clinical roles. To see our latest vacancies, follow this link https://www.bankpartners.co.uk/non-clinical/jobs/search-results/

    Thanks,
    Elizabeth

  • By on

    Hi Ambesi,

    I’m afraid that we can’t offer specific advice on tax. If you have the right to work in the UK and have 6 months’ experience in the NHS as well as the relevant qualifications for your job role then you may be able to join one of our staff banks in London. Talk to one of our team members here and they will be able to give you more specific advice: https://www.bankpartners.co.uk/uclh/contact-us/

    Thanks,
    Elizabeth

  • By on

    Hi Jon,

    The pay and benefits you get will depend on a variety of factors such as the trust for which you work, your job role and specialism. We can’t comment on individual circumstances, I’m afraid.

    Thanks,
    Elizabeth

  • By on

    what does wtr mean in the pay rates

  • By on

    Hi Anne,

    WTR refers to Working Time Regulations – you can find out more here: http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/faqs/workingtimedirective.htm

    All the best,

    Elizabeth

  • By on

    Hi
    can you work for different trusts while working as bank staff

  • By on

    Hi Sharon,

    Thank you for contacting us. You can work across multiple trusts whilst on the staff bank. However it is important to keep in mind that you will need to complete each trusts individual sign-up paperwork and will only be allowed to work a safe number of hours in line with the European Working Time Directive. If this sounds of interest, please do get in touch with our teams.

    All the best
    Amy

  • By on

    Good morning,
    I ve reacently got a position for a Bank physiotherapist in NHS Sussex area.
    I am a physiotherapist and a mum of a 6 months old baby and I thought that working with a flexible shifts is suitable for me in this period of my life.
    My only question/concern is:
    does the bank office provide enough shifts for physio in order to cover the majority of the week? or really depend on the period?
    I have never work as a Bank and I didn't get this point: the frequency of the job.
    I wouldn't want to find myself without available shifts.
    Many thanks,
    Camilla

  • By on

    Hi,

    I am bank staff for over 2 years in the same role and without leave. I am yet to be given a substantive contract. I wanted to know how can I find my employee rights and if I am entitled to paid annual leave? I also want to know if my annual leave can be backdated when I'm given a contract?

    Thanks
    Sohail

  • By on

    I am a flexi bank worker and I choose my shift where in the hospital and when from the shifts that are offered on line, when I turn up for my shift I am told to go and work in a different area,can I refuse to go, and can they ban me for 2weeks. Thanks

  • By on

    To Sir/Madam, My question is do you have to be working in the NHS before applying to be in the staff bank or can you just work in the bank. I have just finished my A-levels so have no paid experience and am finding it difficult to get a job as a Healthcare Assistant.

  • By on

    hi
    ive recently qualified as a phlebotomist via a private company can I register as bank staff and how do I go about it ?many thanks in advance

  • By on

    Hi Shashana, to join one of the staff banks managed by Bank Partners, you’d need to have six months’ recent experience within the NHS. If you have this, then there’s a good chance we can place you – please take a look at our roles here: https://www.bankpartners.co.uk/jobs/search-results/

  • By on

    how do I get 6 months experience? im finding this problem everywhere I need experience but I cant get work even volunteering working without experience

  • By on

    Hi Camilla, thanks for your comment. Unfortunately, we can’t advise you in this case, as Bank Partners don’t run your staff bank and have no association with it. You’d have to talk to the staff bank team in your hospital who should be able to get you accurate advice specific to you.
    In general, though, the number of shifts you can potentially work will depend on the demand in your area– if all the shifts are filled regularly by the full-time staff at the hospital then there will be fewer bank shifts available. The best advice we can give you is to talk your concerns through with the staff bank team at the trust and they will be able to give you some support in this.

    All the best

    Elizabeth

  • By on

    Hi Sohail,

    Although working for the bank is an excellent way to gain experience through flexible shifts that suit you, it doesn’t mean that you will automatically get a substantive contract. However, you should be entitled to the same benefits as a permanent worker doing the same role whether you are bank or agency after a 12-week qualifying period. In some of the trusts we operate, bank workers switch onto Agency Worker Regulations (AWR) after 12 weeks with the associated rates and benefits. Take a look at the Government’s Agency Worker Guidelines to find information specific to your circumstances and if you think that you’re not being treated the same as a permanent worker then you can speak directly to your HR department.

    https://www.gov.uk/agency-workers-your-rights/when-youre-an-agency-worker

    I hope that helps

    Elizabeth

  • By on

    Hi Sandra, although NHS trusts try to keep this to a minimum, flexible staff may on occasion be asked to move wards so that all wards and departments are sufficiently staffed and so that patient care can be delivered safely. In Bank Partners, on these rare occasions, you are required to move wards unless it is to an area which you are not competent to work in, or with patients you are not competent to care for. Refusing to do this may result in you being asked to go home and you will not be eligible for any cancellation fees –refusal for any subsequent requests may result in further action but this will depend on which hospital you work at and the individual circumstances.

    Elizabeth

  • By on

    Hi Evangeline, I’m afraid that at NHS Trust’s operated by Bank Partners, we require that bank staff have six months’ recent experience working in their tole within the NHS before they can join the bank. On occasion and in some of our trusts we offer student nurses the opportunity to join the bank as an HCA as long as they are doing their placement at the trust they will be working in but this isn’t the case at every site. If you’d like more information, we can recommend looking here https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/wider-healthcare-team/roles-wider-healthcare-team/clinical-support-staff/healthcare-assistant

    Hope this helps,

    Amy

  • By on

    Hi Shashana, unfortunately we’re unable to advise you in this, as we only place current or recent NHS workers who have been in the job for over 6 months and don’t place recently qualified staff. However, you can take a look here at options for you to gain experience following your recent qualification: https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/wider-healthcare-team/roles-wider-healthcare-team/clinical-support-staff/phlebotomist.

    Hope this helps,

    Amy

  • By on

    i work for the nhs as a receptionist i am looking for extra hours from 2-6 if you can help in any way i work for a GP surgery thank you

  • By on

    Hi Claudette,

    I’m afraid our staff banks are only within hospital settings, give one of our team a call to discuss what experience you’d need to join us. Click on ‘our trusts’ in the menu above to see our contact details.

    Warmest regards,
    Elizabeth

  • By on

    I am currently employed with the
    NHS, but I do intend to move soon, so
    I wanted to registrar on staff bank so that
    I can view other hospitals for sessions.

    Is this possible

    Paula Maffia.

  • By on

    Hi Paula,

    Thanks for your interest – as long as you have 6 months’ experience within the NHS we’d love to have you on one of our staff banks. Take a look at the roles we’re currently recruiting for here
    https://www.bankpartners.co.uk/jobs/search-results/

    Warmest regards,
    Elizabeth

  • By on

    What is the minimum payment for bank staff?
    I am paid on a NHS payslip and hold an NHS identity badge as a bank member of staff.
    I currently earn £8.64 per hour and enhancements are +33% for Saturday and Nightshift and +66% on a Sunday.

    The nhs I work for include the WTD payment @12.07% as part of the hourly wage and they state we are on £9.68 per hour.

    On the wage slip it states we are earning £16894.33. I was just wondering if this is correct as the role is similar if not the same as a band 2 but this is paid well below that scale? For the same role.

    Can anyone advise?

  • By on

    I have been working at ELFT as a bank Cardiac Rehab. nurse for 3 years.
    I am employed as Band 6 nurse
    I am entitled to increment yearly

  • By on

    Hi Jo,

    Pay rates are set by the individual NHS trust and will therefore vary depending on where you work. We would advise speaking to your local staff bank team for further information about the rates at your trust if you have any queries or concerns.

    Many thanks,
    Amy

  • By on

    Hi Saras,

    Thank you for choosing to support your local NHS trust by working bank shifts. Payrates are set by the individual trust so you will need to speak to your local staff bank team for further information about your rates. We hope this helps

    Many thanks,
    Amy

  • By on

    I am currently a FT nurse in a NHS trust. If I wanted to join bank in other trusts in London, will it affect the 20hours limited working hours?

  • By on

    Hi, I have applied for bank shifts as a second year student nurse to work as a health care assistant. How long will it take before I start working shifts?