The NCA provides comprehensive hospital (including Salford Royal) and community health services across Salford and nearby areas, employing a diverse range of roles including clinical, administrative, digital, estates, and various entry-level positions.
Support with working in the health and social care sector
Health and social care is one of Salford’s biggest and most important sectors — something that touches all our lives, whether through the care we receive or the people we know who work in the sector. It offers not only stability and growth but also the chance to make a real difference every day.
Whether you're just starting out, returning to work, or looking for a career change, this sector provides an inspiring and rewarding career path. And it’s not just clinical jobs — opportunities span across administration, digital, estates, support work, and more.
Roles available include:
- Care and support: Care Assistant, Support Worker, Personal Assistant, Social Prescribing Link Worker
- Nursing and clinical support: Nurse, Healthcare Assistant, Mental Health Practitioner, Therapy Assistant
- Administration, finance and digital: Receptionist, Practice Manager, HR Advisor, Finance Assistant, Data Analyst, Digital Support Officer
- Pharmacy, dental and optometry: Pharmacy Dispenser, Pharmacy Assistant, Dental Nurse, Receptionist, Optometrist, Optical Assistant
- Facilities and estates: Cleaner, Porter, Maintenance Technician, Estates Manager
- Social work and mental health: Social Worker, Counsellor, Mental Health Support Worker
Many entry-level roles provide on-the-job training and apprenticeships, with clear pathways for progression.
For more information on health careers visit the health careers website.
Key health and care providers in Salford
Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (NCA)
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH)
GMMH offers specialised mental health and substance misuse services throughout Greater Manchester, including Salford. Roles span clinical, counselling, administrative, substance misuse support, and entry-level opportunities.
Support for international health and care workers on a skilled worker visa
Support is available if you are an international health or care worker living in Greater Manchester and have been affected by:
- your employer's sponsorship licence being revoked
- sponsorship being cancelled
- insufficient working hours from your sponsor
- concerns about your employment status within the care sector
Greater Manchester has established a dedicated support pathway to help workers understand their options and access employment, immigration and welfare advice where appropriate. Support may include:
- job matching and employment support through NHS Professionals (NHSP)
- advice on employment rights and entitlements
- immigration advice and guidance
- financial, housing and welfare support
- safeguarding and exploitation support where required
How to access support
To ensure you receive the most appropriate support, please contact the Greater Manchester International Recruitment Team first at [email protected].
The team will verify your circumstances, review your eligibility for support, direct you to the most appropriate services and refer eligible workers to NHS Professionals for employment support.
Once assessed, workers may also be referred to specialist organisations including NHS Professionals, Citizens Advice and Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit (GMIAU), depending on their circumstances.
Primary care careers
Primary care includes GP practices, pharmacies, dental clinics, and opticians, offering roles such as practice nurses, healthcare assistants, pharmacy technicians, dental nurses, optical assistants, and administrative support.
Useful resources
- GM Training Hub – introductory training for general practice roles
- Primary Care Careers – GM Access – detailed information on roles, skills, and training
Social care roles
Social care roles help people live safely and independently at home. No experience required - just compassion and dedication - as training is available.
Resources to start your career:
- Step into Care – GM Access – free training and placements in social care
- Salford into Care – local guidance, training, and job-matching support for Salford residents
- Working in social care – information on social care career paths, settings, and the growing demand in the sector
Return to practice
If you have previously worked as a registered healthcare professional but have had a break for at least two years, then there is support available if you wish to re-register with your professional organisation and Return to Practice (RtP) in the NHS.
National RtP programmes exist for a range of healthcare professions (eg nurses, midwives, health visitors and allied health professions) and are designed to support NHS staff to return to practice by offering opportunities to bring their knowledge and skills back up to date within their professional domain.
Please note that if your break was due to your registration being removed by a fitness to practice panel, you will have to apply for restoration to the register.
For more information about RtP, please see links below: