Healthcare Assistant
What is the work like?
Healthcare assistants (also known as nursing assistants and nursing auxiliaries), support 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
- helping patients to the toilet, giving out and collecting bedpans
- 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 have a medical check, and would also need CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) clearance to make sure that you are a suitable person to work with children and vulnerable adults.
Depending on the particular job, some employers may ask for NVQ qualifications, whilst for other jobs you would need to be prepared to work towards NVQs.
If you work in the community you may find it helpful to have a driving licence, so that you can travel 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?
When you start work you will receive on-the-job training from your employer. You may also attend day release courses. You will be trained in areas 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 working as a healthcare assistant 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.
You would usually work towards NVQ levels 2 or 3 in Health, or Health and Social Care.
You could also work towards 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 at learndirect Careers Advice, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
In the NHS healthcare assistants are likely to earn between £12,594 and £17,257 a year.
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 37.5 hours a week, including nights, bank holidays and weekends on a shift or rota system. Flexible and part-time hours are often available.
You could work as an assistant in the community or in a hospital setting. If you are based in the community, you would need to travel 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.
You would use 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 can 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 and NVQ qualifications can help you enter training for other healthcare roles, including nursing, midwifery, social work and support work (in areas such as chiropody/podiatry, occupational therapy, radiography or physiotherapy). Check the relevant job profiles for more information.
When you have one or two years' experience as a healthcare assistant in the NHS, and 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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