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NHS Jobs: How to Find and Apply for NHS Roles, Including Support and Care Work
How to use NHS Jobs, the official site for NHS vacancies in England and Wales: filters for working pattern, contract type, staff group and pay band, job alerts and applying well.
The NHS is one of the largest employers in the country, and not every job involves a stethoscope. Hospitals and practices also need healthcare assistants, domestic and housekeeping staff, porters, catering teams, receptionists, admin staff and security officers. NHS Jobs is the official place to find these vacancies in England and Wales, and its filters make it easy to find part-time, bank and entry-level roles.
What NHS Jobs is
NHS Jobs is the national recruitment site used by NHS organisations in England and Wales, and many GP practices and other health employers advertise there too. You can use it in English or Welsh. Each advert shows the employer, location, salary or pay band, contract type, working pattern and closing date. Help guides and a contact team are available if you get stuck with the site itself.
If you live elsewhere in the UK, use the NHS Scotland recruitment portal for Scottish health boards, or HSC Jobs for health and social care roles in Northern Ireland.
Who it suits
NHS Jobs suits people who want steady work with clear pay bands and training. It is a strong option if you are looking for care work (search "healthcare assistant" or "healthcare support worker"), cleaning (search "domestic assistant" or "housekeeper"), security, admin or catering. Bank roles suit people who want to choose their own shifts around family or another job.
How to search well
Enter a job title or skill in "What?" and a postcode, town or city in "Where?", then choose a distance, from "Only in" up to 100 miles. On the results page, use the filters:
- Working pattern includes Full time, Part time, Job-share, Flexible working, Home or remote working, Compressed hours, Term time hours and Annualised hours.
- Contract type includes Permanent, Fixed-term, Apprenticeship, Bank and Locum, among others.
- Staff group helps you find the right kind of role. Support roles such as cleaning, portering and catering usually sit under Estates & Ancillary, and admin roles under Administrative & Clerical.
- NHS pay grades and schemes lets you pick bands. Entry-level support roles are often Band 2 or Band 3.
- Pay range and sorting by closing date or newest posting help you prioritise.
Select "Save this search" to keep your filters, and set up job alert emails so new vacancies come straight to you.
How to apply
Create an account to apply. Many NHS applications use an online form rather than a CV alone. Read the job description and person specification carefully, then use the supporting information section to show how you meet each essential criterion, using short real examples from work, volunteering or caring for family. Add referees who can confirm your recent work or studies.
Check the closing date on every advert and apply in good time rather than on the last day. If you are offered a role, expect pre-employment checks such as references, right to work and, for many posts, a DBS check arranged by the employer.
Staying safe
NHS employers do not charge you to apply, and they arrange checks such as DBS themselves. Treat any message that asks you to pay for an "NHS interview", uniform, training or visa processing as a scam, and never pay a fee to apply. Apply only through NHS Jobs or the employer's official site, and if you are unsure, contact the employer using the details on the advert.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need qualifications to work in the NHS?
Not for every role. Many support jobs, such as healthcare assistant, domestic, porter and catering roles, train you on the job. Each advert lists essential and desirable criteria, so check those first.
What is bank work?
Bank roles let you pick up shifts when they are available rather than working a fixed contract. On NHS Jobs you can find them by choosing Bank under Contract type.
Will I need a DBS check?
Many NHS roles, especially those with patient contact, need a Disclosure and Barring Service check. The employer arranges it once you are offered the job.
Does NHS Jobs cover Scotland and Northern Ireland?
No. NHS Scotland has its own national recruitment portal, and Northern Ireland uses HSC Jobs for health and social care roles.
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Disclaimer: This guide is general information only and may not fit your situation or country. Rules, prices and requirements change, so check the details with the official source or a qualified professional before you act. Read our full disclaimer.