Healthcare Assistant
The closing date is 12 February 2026
Job summary
Start Your NHS Career With Us -- Your Future Begins at Royal Berkshire Hospital
If you're passionate about helping others and ready to take your first step into a meaningful, long-term career, Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust wants to hear from you. We're looking for enthusiastic, caring and motivated individuals to join us as Healthcare Assistants -- and to grow with us through our exceptional apprenticeship pathways.
This is more than a job. It's your opportunity to gain highly valued NHS experience, develop clinical skills, and build a career you can be proud of. Our Healthcare Assistants can go on to become Nursing Associates and Registered Nurses through our apprenticeship programmes -your journey could start right here.
Please note we are currently recruiting candidates who are able to work full time (37.5hours per week) on a rota basis, 7 days a week (including bank holidays) on day and night shifts.We are an approved sponsoring organisation. however please be aware, not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible roles and requirements on thegovernment website.
Main duties of the job
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Why begin your career with us
A supportive environment where your learning and development truly matter
Opportunities to apply for apprenticeship routes after probation, including:
**The Nursing Associate Apprenticeship and the Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship
Structured progression for those who want to build a long-term future in healthcare
Hands-on experience in a busy acute hospital -- the perfect foundation for a clinical career
A team that values compassion, communication and a willingness to learn
What we're looking for
You don't need previous healthcare experience -- just the right values. If you're caring, reliable, eager to learn and committed to making a difference, you'll fit right in. Good communication skills and a compassionate approach are essential.
Please note: this role requires full-time working (37.5 hours per week) on a rota covering days, nights, weekends and bank holidays.
We are an approved sponsoring organisation, though not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. Please check the government website for eligible roles and requirements.
About us
We are one of the largest hospital foundation trusts in the country, and currently touch the lives of half a million patients in the west of Berkshire every year by providing high quality acute medical and surgical services for our local communities. The Trust strives to provide high quality, compassionate care for our patients and their families.
Our values:
- Compassionate
- Aspirational
- Resourceful
- Excellent
The town of Reading sits on the River Thames and is served by great road and rail links to London, Oxford, and Southampton. With excellent leisure and shopping facilities, and a thriving cultural scene, Reading is a wonderful place to live, work, and play and provides excellent facilities for families, including some of the best state and private schools in the UK.
The CQC rated the care provided by the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust as good.
Details
Date posted
30 January 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 3
Salary
£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
193-HCA-Feb2026
Job locations
Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
Craven Road
Reading
RG1 5AN
Employer details
Employer name
Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
Craven Road
Reading
RG1 5AN
Employer's website
https://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Supporting documents
Privacy notice
Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)