# Band 3 Healthcare Assistant Jobs in the NHS

> Band 3 healthcare assistant job landing page from Job Clerk.

## Canonical URLs

- **HTML:** https://www.jobclerk.com/jobs/healthcare-support-worker/band-3
- **Markdown:** https://www.jobclerk.com/jobs/healthcare-support-worker/band-3.md

## Live Market Snapshot

- **Live vacancies:** 277
- **NHS employers:** 130
- **New vacancies this week:** 177
- **Filter scope:** Scoped to Band 3 and Healthcare Assistant.
- **Observed salary range:** GBP 24,937 to GBP 33,270

## Role Summary

Healthcare assistant and support worker posts provide direct patient care under the guidance of registered nurses and other clinicians. Duties typically include personal care, observations, mobility support, and ward routines. Most posts sit at Band 2 or Band 3, with Band 4 assistant practitioner roles available for experienced staff who complete additional training.

## Typical Responsibilities

- Recording and escalating vital signs observations (NEWS2, PEWS)
- Phlebotomy, ECGs, or wound care (where trained and competent)
- Supporting patients with nutrition, hydration, and mealtime assistance
- Infection prevention: hand hygiene, PPE, equipment decontamination
- Supporting safe patient transfers and mobility
- Recognising and reporting safeguarding concerns
- Stocking, restocking, and maintaining a clean clinical environment

## Typical Requirements

- Care Certificate (completed within first 12 weeks of starting)
- NVQ/QCF Level 2-3 in Health and Social Care (desirable)
- Previous care, support, or patient-facing experience (desirable)
- Manual handling certification (usually provided on induction)

## Employers Hiring

- Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (10 jobs)
- NHS Highland (10 jobs)
- Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (9 jobs)
- Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (8 jobs)
- NHS Lothian (8 jobs)
- Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust (7 jobs)
- Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (7 jobs)
- Spectrum Community Health CIC (6 jobs)

## Locations Hiring

- Exeter, South West (7 jobs)
- Basingstoke, South East (6 jobs)
- London, London (5 jobs)
- Sutton-In-Ashfield, Midlands (5 jobs)
- Brighton, South East (4 jobs)
- Torquay, South West (3 jobs)
- Chichester, South East (3 jobs)
- Bodmin, South West (3 jobs)
- Oxford, South East (3 jobs)
- Bristol, South West (3 jobs)
- Western General Hospital, East of Scotland (3 jobs)
- Leicester, Midlands (3 jobs)

## Grade Context

Band 3 posts carry more responsibility than Band 2, often involving supervision of junior staff, more complex tasks, or specialist competencies such as phlebotomy or audio typing. Prior experience or an NVQ is commonly expected. Salary guidance: £25,760 - £27,476.

## Grade Requirements

NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent demonstrable experience

Care Certificate completion (for clinical roles)

Evidence of working with reduced supervision and using initiative

Specialist competencies relevant to the post (e.g. phlebotomy, audio typing, therapy assistance)

Experience supervising or supporting Band 2 colleagues (for some posts)

## FAQs

### What is the salary for NHS Band 3 roles?

NHS Band 3 roles pay between £25,760 and £27,476 per year under the 2026/27 pay scale, depending on pay step. Additional allowances may apply for unsocial hours or high-cost area supplements.

### What is the difference between Band 2 and Band 3?

Band 3 roles involve more responsibility, complex tasks, and often supervision of Band 2 staff. They require more experience and may include specialist competencies or qualifications.

### What jobs are available at NHS Band 3?

Band 3 roles include senior healthcare assistants, therapy assistants, phlebotomists, medical secretaries, senior receptionists, and various support worker positions with enhanced responsibilities.

### What qualifications do I need to become an NHS healthcare support worker?

Many trusts accept candidates without formal qualifications and provide the Care Certificate on the job. GCSEs in English and maths, any patient-facing experience, and evidence of caring values will strengthen an application.

### Are healthcare assistant jobs the same as healthcare support worker jobs?

Many NHS adverts use healthcare assistant, HCA, clinical support worker, and healthcare support worker for closely related patient-care roles. The exact duties and band depend on the employer and service.

### What is the salary for NHS healthcare support workers?

Under the 2026/27 pay scale, NHS healthcare support workers typically work at Band 2-3 (approximately £25,000-£27,000). With additional training and responsibilities, progression to Band 4 (£28,000-£31,000) is possible.

## Agent Notes

- This Markdown page is generated from the same Job Clerk SEO landing-page data as the HTML page.
- Use the canonical HTML URL for user-facing references.
- Live job counts change as source NHS adverts open and close.