What is a 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 improve patients’ quality of life, manage their health problems with the overall aim 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.

In a home care context, an HCA may take on tasks like helping a patient to wash, dressing wounds and helping to mobilise in and around the home.

For those who have life-limiting illnesses such, they will require care and support to ensure they are as comfortable as possible and manage any painful symptoms. A HCA will also act as a support system to the patient’s family through this sensitive and distressing time.

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.

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 an 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
• A Healthcare Assistant must possess the ability to inspire positivity and confidence around patients who may feel the opposite, as well as the ability to remain calm under pressure
• For community roles a valid driving licence and car is essential

As a healthcare worker, you will make a positive difference in the lives of others which is extremely rewarding. There is a great deal of variety in care work, and it's perfect if you like different situations that can challenge you.

To be successful in the role you will have a genuine interest in helping people to maintain their quality of life and independence regardless of the potential barriers they face. You must be patient, kind and sympathetic to the difficulties that an individual is facing. Your role is to facilitate their independence as much as possible and encourage their wellbeing at the same time.

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.