Healthcare Assistant
What do they do?
Healthcare Assistants (HCAs) help nurses and other healthcare professionals deliver care to patients in a variety of settings including hospitals, care homes and in the community. They help with personal care tasks such as washing and dressing, assisting dietary and nutritional needs, moving patients, monitoring health and progress, talking with patients, performing basic clinical observations such as taking blood pressure and temperatures, removing catheters, replacing dressings and assessing weight and body mass. HCAs can specialise in working with the elderly, with disabilities or metal health issues.
What makes a great Health Care Assistant?
- A friendly personality and like caring for people
- Liking following instruction and procedure
- Great communication skills including the ability to listen and provide reassurance
- Great observational skills
- Loving working as part of a big team
- Emotional resilience and sensitivity
What do you need?
There are no specific qualifications needed to be a Healthcare Assistant, though candidates are encouraged to have a NVQ Level II in Health and Social Care, which can be obtained through UCM and previous experience of caring for sick people is desirable.
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.