Overview
Healthcare assistants help to look after patients in places like hospitals and clinics. The things they do vary depending on the job. Their work is set for them by staff such as nurses and midwives. They help patients with things like washing, dressing and going to the toilet.
Activities
- help patients shower and get dressed
- help people eat
- make beds
- use equipment to lift and move patients
- talk to patients and reassure them
- help patients to use the toilet
- tidy the ward or patients’ homes
- take patient’s’ temperature or pulse
- attend meetings with other healthcare professionals
Organisation
Many healthcare assistants across The Black Country are employed by the NHS. They may also work for private hospitals, nursing homes, local councils, and hospices.
Workplace
Healthcare assistants work indoors such as in hospital wards, hospital clinics and nursing homes.
Working Hours
Healthcare assistants in the NHS usually work about 37 hours a week.
Salary
Starting salary is around £18,500
Qualifications
You’ll usually need some GCSEs but not always some NHS trusts can be more flexible. You may also be able to access via a supported internship.
You could work as a trainee care assistant in a residential or care home, and do qualifications on the job. You’ll find it useful to get some paid or voluntary experience in a healthcare setting or personal care role. This will help when you apply for jobs.
You could also apply for an apprenticeship. If you have an EHCP you may be able to apply under the Dfe exemption which allows the apprentice to use Entry level 3 English and Maths qualifications. The apprentice would have to be competent enough to successfully achieve all other aspects of the apprenticeship requirements, become occupationally competent and achieve Entry Level 3 in English and Maths before the end of their apprenticeship.
College – you could start off on a Level 1 Introductory Certificate in Health and Social Care – Amber