Human resources staff
Human resources (HR) make sure that our colleagues both on the frontline and behind the scenes are fully supported and able to do their jobs.
Working life
You'll manage all issues relating to the employment of your NHS colleagues. This could involve:
- the recruitment of staff
- introducing new employment policies
- being an expert in employment law (equality and diversity, right to work, working hours, etc)
- working closely with health unions and professional bodies
- keeping up to date records on colleagues
You also advise and support managers in dealing with, for example
- managing performance – making sure staff are doing their jobs as they should
- disciplinary – dealing with staff who do something wrong
- absence – including holiday leave, sick leave, study leave or compassionate leave
HR staff work at different levels so job titles vary, for example
- human resource assistant or recruitment assistant
- HR officer or HR administrator
- senior HR adviser
- HR manager
- assistant HR director
Where will I work?
HR staff are based in human resource departments at hospitals and in headquarters buildings.
Who will I work with?
You'll work closely with administration staff. You may also work with clinical and non-clinical managers (eg those managing estates and facilities, finance and operational areas). You would not usually have contact with patients.
Entry requirements
There are no set entry requirements for HR staff. Entry requirements vary depending on what level you join the NHS.
To enter as an HR trainee, you usually need at least two GCSEs including English and maths, or equivalent. Employers may ask for some customer service or office experience. Apprenticeships are often available in admin roles within HR departments.
You could also become a member of NHS HR staff by studying for a qualification in HR and then applying to join an NHS trust. Relevant qualifications include
- Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) level-3 Foundation Certificate or Diploma in Human Resources Practice, which you can study part time
- a degree in human resources management
Degree courses are three or four years full time. To get onto a degree course you usually need:
- two or three A levels along with up to five GCSEs (grades A-C), including English and maths
or alternative qualifications, including
- BTEC, HND or HNC
- relevant NVQ
- access course
- equivalent Scottish or Irish qualifications
However, each institution sets its own entry requirements, so it’s important to check carefully.
Personal characteristics and skills needed
HR staff need to be
- interested in people
- interested in applying the law
- happy to work with people at all levels of an organisation
- willing to deal with strong emotions
- able to stay calm in challenging situations
You'll also need
- very good communication skills at all levels
- good negotiating skills
Training and development
When you start the job, you will be given the training you need including an introduction to the department and its systems and procedures. You will be expected to keep your knowledge and skills up to date. Your employer may offer you the chance to go on short courses on particular topics such as employment law, negotiating or managing absence.
You could take further qualifications such as those offered by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
HR staff can become members of Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). With experience and qualifications, they can apply for chartered status. As well as training, CIPD offers conferences, online communities and events where members can update their skills and knowledge and network with others in the field.
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HR staff working in the NHS are paid on the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay system. You will typically start on AfC band 2 or 3 in an administrative or support role. With further training and experience, you could apply for more senior positions at bands 4-6. Senior HR managers will earn more.
HR staff in the NHS work standard hours of around 37.5 a week. In some jobs, this could involve early starts, evenings and weekends to meet clinical staff on duty.
Terms and conditions will usually be different for HR staff working outside of the NHS.
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With experience, HR staff can become team leaders, supervising the work of others. They can then progress to become managers, responsible for an HR department or directors of HR.
There may also be opportunities to work outside the NHS, including overseas.
If you're applying for a role either directly in the NHS or in an organisation that provides NHS services, you'll be asked to show how you think the NHS values apply in your everyday work. Find out more about NHS values.
Most NHS trusts advertise their vacancies on NHS Jobs. Some of the current vacancies are below.
-
Human Resources Adviser
Lindley, HD3 3EB
- Salary :
- £31049.00 to £37796.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust
-
Human Resources Officer
Bradford, BD9 6RJ
- Salary :
- £31049.00 to £37796.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Director of Human Resources
SCARBOROUGH, YO12 5RE
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Saint Catherine’s Hospice
-
Human Resources Business Partner
York, YO31 8ZZ
- Salary :
- £47810.00 to £54710.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Director of Human Resources (WQ00)
Leeds, LS9 7TF
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals
-
Medical HR Recruitment Co-ordinator
Maidstone, ME16 9PH
- Salary :
- £24937.00 to £26598.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Kent & Medway NHS & Social Care Partnership Trust
-
Resource Allocator
Bradford, BD9 6RJ
- Salary :
- £24937.00 to £26598.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Medical Resourcing Administrator
Poole, BH15 2JB
- Salary :
- £24937.00 to £26598.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
-
HR Officer
Redhill, RH1 2NP
- Salary :
- £29000.00 to £33000.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Dorking Healthcare Ltd.
-
HR Administrator
North West, OL8 2QH
- Salary :
- £28260.00 to £28260.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Cygnet Health Care
-
Recruitment Officer
Ipswich, IP4 5PD
- Salary :
- £24937.00 to £26598.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
-
HR Officer
Redhill, RH1 2NP
- Salary :
- £29000.00 to £33000.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Dorking Healthcare Ltd.
-
HR Administrator
North West, OL8 2QH
- Salary :
- £28260.00 to £28260.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Cygnet Health Care
-
HR Advisor
Stockport, SK2 7JE
- Salary :
- £31049.00 to £37796.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Stockport NHS Foundation Trust
-
HR Manager
Orpington, BR6 0TE
- Salary :
- £53751.00 to £60651.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Bromley Healthcare CIC
-
HR Manager
Runcorn, WA7 6EP
- Salary :
- £40170.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Halton Haven Hospice
-
Medical Resourcing Administrator
Poole, BH15 2JB
- Salary :
- £24937.00 to £26598.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
-
Senior HR Advisor
Oxford, OX4 4XN
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Oxford Health NHS Trust
-
Senior HR Caseworker
London, Birmingham, Leeds or Liverpool, E144PU
- Salary :
- £40661.00 to £50472.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- UK Health Security Agency
-
Senior HR Advisor
Leicester, LE3 8TB
- Salary :
- £37338.00 to £44962.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust
-
Senior HR Caseworker
London, Birmingham, Leeds or Liverpool, E144PU
- Salary :
- £40661.00 to £50472.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- UK Health Security Agency
-
Senior HR Advisor
Leicester, LE3 8TB
- Salary :
- £37338.00 to £44962.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust
-
HR Manager (XN07)
Leeds, LS9 7TF
- Salary :
- £47810.00 to £54710.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals
-
Senior HR Advisor
Maidstone, ME16 9PH
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Kent & Medway NHS & Social Care Partnership Trust
-
Resourcing Technical and Systems Lead
Exeter or Bristol, EX27HY
- Salary :
- £31049.00 to £37796.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
-
CAMHS Enhanced Therapeutic Resource Practitioner
Chesterfield, S44 5BL
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
-
Recruitment & Retention Lead Midwife
Ipswich, IP4 5PD
- Salary :
- £47810.00 to £54710.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
-
Medical Recruitment & Onboarding Administrator
Stoke on Trent, ST4 6QG
- Salary :
- £24937.00 to £26598.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust
-
People and Recruitment Assistant
Lowestoft, NR32 1DE
- Salary :
- £24937.00 to £26598.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- East Coast Community Healthcare CIC
-
Medical Workforce Administrator-Recruitment
Colchester, CO4 5HG
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
-
HR Lead - Business Partnering
Slough, SL1 2BJ
- Salary :
- £66653.00 to £77094.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust
-
HR Investigator & Resolutions Advisor
GIllingham, ME7 5NY
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Medway NHS Foundation Trust
-
HR Advisor (part-time)
Leeds, LS21 1PY
- Salary :
- £29000.00 to £32000.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- OneMedicalGroup
-
Bank Healthcare Assistant - Recruitment Event
Various sites - please see advert, SY13 1NT
- Salary :
- £24465.00
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust
-
Clinical Support Worker - Recruitment Event
Whitehaven, CA28 8JG
- Salary :
- £24937.00 to £26598.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
-
EPR HR Business Partner Lead
Norwich, NR1 2UA
- Salary :
- £64455.00 to £74896.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital
-
HR, Quality and Compliance Lead
Dursley, GL11 4JN
- Salary :
- £15.00 to £16.50
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- May Lane Surgery
-
HR Advisor - Contract 6 months
Colchester, CO4 9YQ
- Salary :
- £36000.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Aria Care
-
Senior HR Caseworker - Fixed-Term
London, Birmingham, Leeds or Liverpool, E14 4PU
- Salary :
- £40661.00 to £50472.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- UK Health Security Agency
-
Consultant Psychiatrist - PICU *Generous Recruitment Package*
Norwich, NR6 5BE
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust
-
Nursing Assistant - Hartley Hospital Recruitment Event
Southport, PR8 6PL
- Salary :
- £24937.00 to £26598.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust
-
Band 4 Senior Bank Recruitment Lead
Birmingham, B7 4BN
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS FT
-
Consultant Psychiatrist CRHT *Generous Recruitment Package*
Kings Lynn, PE30 5PE
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust
-
Information and Advice Officer: Hackney Ark Resource Centre
Hackney, E8 2FP
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant Forensic Psych (Whitlingham)*Generous Recruitment Package*
Norwich, NR6 5BE
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust
-
HR and Compliance Manager (30-37.5 hours)
Ashbourne, DE6 1RR
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Henmore Health
-
Consultant Psych Acute Psych (Samphire) *Generous Recruitment Package*
Kings Lynn, PE30 5PD
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust
-
Consultant Psychiatrist in Old Age *Generous Recruitment Package*
Norwich, NR2 3TD
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust
-
Consultant Psych Older People's CMHT *Generous Recruitment Package*
Kings Lynn, PE30 5PE
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust
-
Consultant Old Age Psych(Woodlands)*Generous Recruitment Package*
Ipswich, IP4 5PD
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust
-
Consultant Psych GA Inpatient (Avocet) *Generous Recruitment Package*
Ipswich, IP4 5PD
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust
-
Consultant Psychiatrist CMHT GA Comm*Generous Recruitment Package*
Wymondham, NR18 0WF
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust
-
Consultant Psych CMHT Adult Comm*Generous Recruitment Package*
Kings Lynn, PE30 5PD
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust
-
Associate HR Business Partner - A&E Norfolk and Waveney
Longwater (Norfolk), NR5 0JT
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- East of England Ambulance Service
-
Deputy Director for People and OD (HR and People Change)
Gloucester, GL1 3NN
- Salary :
- £109179.00 to £125637.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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