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.

Which health boards hire healthcare assistants in Cardiff?

Major NHS employers for healthcare assistants in Cardiff include Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, Velindre University NHS Trust.

Healthcare Assistant Jobs in Cardiff

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.

0 live vacancies in Cardiff · 0 NHS employers · updated hourly

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Working in Healthcare Assistant roles in Cardiff

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board runs the University Hospital of Wales, one of the largest hospitals in Wales. Velindre provides specialist cancer services. Note that NHS Wales uses a health board structure rather than the trust model used in England. For healthcare assistant candidates, this means roles can appear across acute hospitals, community services, specialist teams, mental health providers, and integrated care settings depending on the local NHS workforce mix.

Job Clerk is currently tracking 0 live healthcare assistant vacancies in Cardiff from 0 NHS employers. New posts can include permanent, fixed-term, bank, part-time, and rotational opportunities, so it is worth checking both the broad Healthcare Assistant results and the band-specific pages below.

Salary varies by Agenda for Change band, rota pattern, seniority, and local supplements. Check each healthcare assistant vacancy for the advertised band, pay range, contract length, and closing date before applying.

Common work areas

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

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)

Local employers

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
Velindre University NHS Trust

Bands hiring in Cardiff

Current healthcare assistant pages for Cardiff include Band 2, Band 3, and Band 4. Use these band pages when you want salary expectations, seniority, and job descriptions narrowed to a specific level.

Local practical context

Cardiff Central provides rail to London (2h) and Bristol (50 min). Some staff commute from the wider Vale of Glamorgan or South Wales valleys.

Housing costs are generally lower than comparable English cities. NHS Wales follows the same Agenda for Change structure and has matched England's pay rises. Wales offers free prescriptions for all residents. Working for a health board rather than a trust means your employer covers the full spectrum from primary to hospital care, so career moves across settings can happen within the same organisation.