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.

Healthcare Assistant Jobs in South East

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.

18 live vacancies in South East · 7 NHS employers · updated hourly

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Open Positions

£16k - £29k

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Working in Healthcare Assistant roles in South East

South East has active NHS vacancies across clinical, support, administrative, and operational teams. Job Clerk groups live roles in the area so candidates can compare employers, bands, and closing dates before applying. 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 18 live healthcare assistant vacancies in South East from 7 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.

Recent salary data for these healthcare assistant roles ranges from about £16,357 to £28,850 per year, depending on band, specialist experience, and whether high-cost area supplements apply.

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

Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust

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Healthcare Assistant Jobs in South East

18 live vacancies in South East · 7 NHS employers · updated hourly

Working in Healthcare Assistant roles in South East

Recent salary data for these healthcare assistant roles ranges from about £16,357 to £28,850 per year, depending on band, specialist experience, and whether high-cost area supplements apply.