Healthcare Assistant
What is the work like?
Healthcare assistants (also known as support workers, nursing assistants, or nursing auxiliaries), assist healthcare professionals with the day-to-day care of patients, either in hospitals or in patients’ own homes.
As a healthcare assistant your duties could include:
- helping patients to wash or shower
- serving food and, if necessary, helping patients to eat
- making and changing beds
- turning patients who are confined to bed to avoid pressure sores
- talking with patients to help them feel less lonely or anxious
- helping patients with mobility problems to move around
- giving out and collecting bedpans, and helping patients to the toilet
- making sure the ward or patients’ home is tidy, and supplies and equipment are in place
- taking and recording temperature, pulse and respiration.
In hospitals you may also escort patients between departments.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You may not need any qualifications to start work as a healthcare assistant. Previous experience (paid or voluntary) in a caring role will usually be essential, especially if you plan to work with people who have mental health issues or learning disabilities. For further information on volunteering in the NHS contact the voluntary services coordinator or manager at your local NHS Trust.
You can also find out about other volunteering opportunities in your area by visiting the Volunteering England website.
You would need to pass a medical check and gain CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) clearance, to make sure that you are a suitable person to work with children and vulnerable adults. Many employers will also want you to be prepared to work towards relevant NVQ qualifications.
To work in a community setting, you may need a driving licence in order to visit clients in a number of locations.
You may be able to get into this job through an Apprenticeship scheme. The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. For more information on Apprenticeships, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk.
What further training and development can I do?
Once you start work you will receive on-the-job training from your employer, which may be supported by external courses covering issues such as:
- hygiene
- health and safety
- techniques for lifting and moving patients
- personal care
- measuring and recording temperature, pulse, respiration and weight
- developing communication and interpersonal skills.
If you are based in the community, you may be expected to take part in a 12-week induction programme provided by your employer. This is based on national standards set up by Skills for Care and Development which include:
- principles of care
- understanding your role as a care worker
- safety
- communication skills
- recognising and responding to abuse and neglect
- developing as a care worker.
Many employers will also encourage you to work towards NVQ levels 2 or 3 in Health, or Health and Social Care.
You could go on to take a foundation degree in a subject such as adult mental health, applied health and social care, and assisting professional practice.
Where can I go for more information?
Goldsmiths HouseBroad Plain
Bristol
BS2 0JP
Tel: 0117 922 1155
5 Albion Place
Leeds
LS1 6JL
Tel: 0113 245 1716
Bristol
BS99 3EY
Tel: 0845 606 0655
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
Related profiles...
What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Starting salaries can be between £13,000 and £16,000 a year.
- With experience, this can rise to around £17,700.
Additional allowances may be paid for working unsocial hours.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You would usually work a shift or rota system including nights, bank holidays and weekends. Flexible and part-time hours are often available.
You could work as an assistant in the community or in a hospital setting. In the community, you are likely to travel throughout the day between patients’ homes.
Some parts of your work could be distressing, messy or unpleasant, and you would need to help patients with personal care needs (such as washing or dressing) without showing embarrassment.
Your day-to-day work may include using manual handling aids and equipment to help lift patients.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- a friendly and caring personality
- the ability to relate to people from a wide variety of backgrounds
- tact and sensitivity, particularly when helping patients with personal care
- a respectful approach to patients
- the ability to work on your own initiative and as part of a team
- patience and a sense of humour.
What opportunities are there?
You could work within the NHS, private hospitals, local authority or private residential/nursing homes, in hospices, with private agencies, and in the community.
Experience as a healthcare assistant would be a good preparation for a range of health related careers such as a nursing, midwifery, social work or support work (in areas such as chiropody/podiatry, occupational therapy, radiography or physiotherapy). See the relevant job profiles for more information.
With around one to two years' experience as a healthcare assistant in the NHS (plus NVQ Level 3 in Health), your employer may agree to second you to nurse training. On secondment, you would receive a salary whilst studying. After you qualify as a nurse, your employer may expect you to work with them for around two years.
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