Healthcare Assistant
Healthcare Assistants (HCAs) work in hospital or community settings, under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional. The focus of such care is to provide support that helps improve patients’ quality of life with close observations, maintain and communicate key reports with the overall aim of helping to free up doctors and nurses for more specialist work. In a busy hospital environment, it is often the HCA that takes on the primary role of checking on patients and making sure they have the things they need. An HCA can ensure that patients are safe and comfortable and are having their health properly monitored.
Within the context of home care, an HCA may take on tasks like helping to take, record and observe patients’ vitals, wash, dressing wounds and helping to mobilise in and around the home. Some patients possibly could have life-limiting illnesses, such patients will require care and support to ensure they are as comfortable as possible and help in managing painful symptoms. An HCA will also act as a support system to the patient’s family through sensitive and distressing times. HCAs are highly admired for playing a crucial part in supporting the treatment and well-being of patients, whether that be in hospitals, in the wider community or in the comfort of the patients’ own home.
Roles & responsibilities of a Healthcare Assistant
To be successful as a Healthcare Assistant, you are expected to deliver high-quality care and support to patients and families in the same way we would want for our own loved-ones.
Offering daily maintenance to patients and assisting them with washing, showering, and oral care.- Taking temperatures, changing and dressing wounds, and assisting with medication.
- Helping patients use facilities in the hospices, including the toilet and bathroom.
- Dressing and undressing patients, when necessary.
- Applying lotions and creams, when required, especially around pressure areas.
- Monitoring the progress of patients and reporting back to their families.
- Utilizing communication and interpersonal skills to create a bona fide relationship with patients and their families.
Qualifications, skills & experience required
There are no specific requirements in order to become a healthcare assistant, and while HCAs can come from any background, employers expect good literacy and numeracy and may enquire about GCSEs in English and Maths.
- A BTEC or NVQ qualification in Healthcare is desired, but not essential.
- Minimum 6 months experience in a similar role.
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
- A friendly, enthusiastic, and approachable character, who can build a strong rapport with patients and their families.
- Excellent practical skills.
- Capable of working both independently and in a team.
- Ability to inspire positivity and confidence in patients, as well as remain calm under pressure.
- For community roles, a valid driving license and car is essential.
There are no specific requirements in order to become a healthcare assistant, and while HCAs can come from any background, employers expect good literacy and numeracy and may enquire about GCSEs in English and Maths.
Hours of work & environment
A working week can be very different depending on the area of care you cover and the hours you do. Healthcare provides great flexibility, offering both part-time and full-time hours across various shifts. You can also choose to work within a hospital ward-based role, within the community or a mix of both. The hours can sometimes be considered unsociable, with evening and weekend work as well as night shifts.
Career progression & beyond…
Working as a Healthcare Assistant is a great stepping stone to achieving a long-term career within healthcare. With experience and further training, you can move onto more of a specialist role such as assistant practitioner or nursing associate. With the appropriate qualifications and academic ability, you could also train as a nurse, podiatrist, midwife or occupational therapist.
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