Join the NHS as a reservist!

Update: We have had a brilliant and overwhelming response from applicants for this programme and our first reservists began working from October. Due to the fantastic response, we need to temporarily pause applications to allow us to process those we have already received. Anyone who has applied up to, and including, 16 December, will be processed in this current cohort. If you applied after this date, or wish to apply, please do so after 16 January, when we will be accepting new applications again. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Reservists are a pool of extra, trained and paid workers that the NHS can call on in times of need, such as during the winter flu season or periods of unplanned high demand.  

Being a Reservist is a rewarding role that enables you to make a unique contribution to your local community. But there are lots of other benefits too. You’ll have the opportunity to learn new skills – and, if you’re from a healthcare background, to brush up your existing skills. You’ll gain practical experience that can help to take you places in the future and you’ll enjoy the rewards of helping people as part of a team. What’s more, being a Reservist is a paid job that you can do flexibly, working around your other work, study or family commitments.  

Roles available will differ and depend on the help needed by your local NHS Trust but below are a list of tasks you may be asked to undertake general duties that may include:

• assisting the ward clerk,
• photocopying,
• answering phones,
• data entry,
• ordering PPE,
• patient transport booking,
• supporting vaccine services,
• ward helper,
• admin support to wards, 
• patient discharge support.  

Anyone who has experience of working in a care environment is encouraged to register or if you have no experience but wish to gain basic caring skills, training will be offered to support you.  

Amina Mohamoud has been a reservist since October. She currently works two days a week at University College Hospital supporting the flu and COVID-19 vaccination teams. 

Amina said: “I found out about the reservist programme through Bank Partners. I was working as a band 3 admin for the vaccination team.  

“I have a background in biomedical science, so the reservist programme is great experience if I want to move into healthcare jobs, as most want you to have some experience in a hospital environment. Being able to do that at UCLH is a great opportunity. 

“So far, it’s been great. I’ve learned lots about how a hospital works and I feel I’m making a real difference helping out with the vaccination programme.” 

We are looking for non-registered Reservists to join our paid NHS Reserve team to complement the existing NHS Workforce.  

Each NHS Reservist will be given induction training and have access to further training throughout the programme.

We ask for a commitment of 150 hrs minimum per year.  

Local hospitals and NHS services can call on the ‘NHS reservist community’ depending on their staffing requirements and pressures in their area, creating a bank of extra resource for when it is needed.   

Anyone interested should email uclh.ncl-reservists@nhs.net and they’ll be contacted directly by the NCL NHS Reservist team.