The Bank is an entity operated by NHS Trust's to source and supply additional workers to fill ward or department staffing deficits. The Mersey Care Bank team successfully places a mixture of flexible workers of all disciplines including nurses, health care support workers, allied health professionals, administration and clerical and ancillary staff using our pool of workers or via Agency.
How can I get on the bank?
Any substantive member of staff may request to join the Trust’s bank to undertake the same role on the same pay band as they are employed in substantively.
In order to do this, please ensure your manager supports your application to work on the bank. Your manager will need complete a contractual change form and on the form select set up secondary bank assignment and the required grade.
Shift times
| Early | Day | Late | Twilight | Night |
| 7am to 2.30pm* | Varies from 9am to 5pm (mainly used for admin and AHP staff) | 1.30pm to 9pm | 6.30pm to 12am* |
8.37pm to 7.20am (10 hours 43 minutes). 10pm to 7am (night starters) |
Early and late shifts can be combined to form a long day shift*
For bank staff Employee Online is where you will book bank shifts and record availability to work additional hours, it also shows upcoming shifts and historical timesheets.
For substantive staff they will use Employee Online to track working days, book annual leave in additional to the above if they have a Bank Assignment.
- Competitive rates of pay
- Weekly pay
- Shifts can be booked online
- Flexible working arrangements and varied start times to suit your personal requirements
- The opportunity to work in various wards and departments to gain knowledge and experience
- Access to the NHS Pension scheme
- Occupational Health advisory service
- Free uniform (where applicable)
- Paid mandatory training
- Essential to role training
- Access to Trust training via learning and development and professional development.
General queries
Q: If I currently have a Substantive post under Mersey Care, how do I go about joining the bank?
A: You would have to ask your line manager to submit a 'Contractual Change form' which is found on Sharepoint under 'YourHR' -> 'Employee Lifecycle'. Once this is processed by ESRadmin, you will receive a bank acceptance form via email which you will fill in and return to banknewstarters
Q: I wish to remain on the bank after I leave my substantive post, can I do this?
A: Please make sure your line managers selects 'yes' to remaining on the bank on your leavers form on Sharepoint. A bank only post will then automatically be set up for you after you leave the Trust, you will receive an email once you have been set up.
Q: I want to leave the bank/close one of my bank postings. How do I go about this?
A: If you email the team, we will then submit a leavers form for your bank posting which should be actioned within a few weeks.
Q: How do I request support from an agency worker?
A: Please request via Sharepoint by completing a Request a Temporary Worker form, once this has been approved by the budget holder, temporary staffing will check to see if the support can be made by a bank worker, if not we will cascade to all our approved agencies. Once CV’s are received we will pass to yourself to select a suitable candidate and work with you to put the person in place.
A: Q: Do I need a uniform?
A: You do need to wear a uniform on shifts and you will be sent a link when you start on the bank to order a uniform.
Q: How will I get my uniform?
A: Once your recruitment is complete, you will be invited to order a new uniform from Meltemi, the uniform supplier. If you have recently joined the bank or require a new uniform please email bank
Payment and annual leave
Q: When will I get paid?
A: Bank staff are paid weekly each Friday if shifts have been finalised by the ward before 10.30am each Monday. If a shift is late to be finalised payment will be made the following week.
Q: Why have I not been paid?
A: This could be a number of reasons but always check the roster first to make sure shifts have been locked on time for the payrun. Contact the team for more information.
Q: Will I get paid for the induction?
A: Yes, induction and all mandatory elearning is paid. Please ensure you have signed the daily attendance register which is submitted for payment. Your name and assignment number should be clearly marked in block capitals. If you have any queries, please email banktimesheets
Q: Can I claim milage?
A: Bank staff can claim mileage if they are moving around bases as requested. A bank member of staff cannot claim if they are traveling to and from one location.
Q: Will I get paid for annual leave?
A: Yes, bank workers acrue annual leave at a rate of 12.07% of shifts worked to a maximum of 210 hours per year.
Q: How do I request bank annual leave I have accrued?
A: They can either call the team or email our dedicated inbox Bankannualleave
Pension
Q: How do I opt out of the pension?
A: To opt out of the pension you will require Form SD502 which you can getfrom the NHS Pensions website.
If you do not have personal access to a computer, you can contact NHS Pensions for an opt out form by telephoning the Member Helpline on 0300 3301 346.
Please note, this form cannot be provided by Payroll Services, each individual post a member holds will require a separate opt out form.
Once you have completed the form, send it to: Pensions Team, Payroll Services, Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Jubilee Court, Waterside, St Helens, WA9 1TT or email the signed form from your NHS email account to merseycare
Sickness
Q: Do bank staff have any entitlement to paid sick or bereavement leave?
A: No sickness entitlement is accured whilst working for the Trust Bank. However, you may be entitled to staturtory sick pay if you meet the qualifying conditions. As a bank worker, you are not entitled to payment for any other special leave. Bank workers may be entitled to Statutory Maternity allowance, Staturtory Parernity Pay (SPP) or Staturtory Adoption Pay (SAP). Find out more in the bank workers agreement.
Shifts
Q: How do I see and book shifts?
A: Shifts can be booked through Employee Online (EOL) once you have completed your induction and elearning. You will be sent a username, password and a link to access the site.
Q: How do I get my EOL account re-set?
A: Please contact Temporary Staffing team who can reset the password for you.
Q: Why can I not see any or only limited bank availability on EOL?
A: The usual cause of this is your PSS compliance has expired and you are due a refresher. We can book you in to the next suitable course if you contact the team. It can also be the result of a suspension as we would add restricitions to your bank profile if requested to do so by management. Please be aware though that outstanding bank duties will not be viewable if you are booked already for the same dates.
Q: How do I cancel a bank shift I can no longer work?
A: You can cancel a bank shift by calling/emailing the team. If you are contacting us out of hours, please either contact Clinical Support if working within the Secure Division or contact the ward/unit direct so they have as much notice as possible. We require a minimum of four hours notice before shift start time if cancelling, as per the bank T&Cs.
Q: Do I need PSS training to work on the inpatients wards?
A: Yes, anyone who works on an inpatient ward needs to be trained in PSS as this is now mandatory. Initially this is done as part of induction, then a refresher is needed every 12 months.
Q: Can I work on a secure ward?
A: If you are assigned to mental health care division (local bank) you are not permitted to work in secure division until completing a suitability interview. Applications can be made online by submitting a formal application for a vacancy listed on the Trust website.
Contact details
Wider Mersey Care
The team operate from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday and 8am to 2pm on weekends (closed bank holidays).
Warrington and Halton
The team operate from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (closed weekends and bank holidays).