Health Care Assistant -

Role Description

Healthcare assistants play a vital role in the care of patients. Working under the direction of more senior healthcare professionals, they take care of the day-to-day needs of patients by providing help with personal care, meals and mobility.

They also carry out a range of housekeeping duties, as well as performing basic medical checks, such as taking a patient’s temperature, pulse and respiration rate. The attitude of a healthcare assistant is of far more importance than any formal qualifications.

Suitable candidates for the role are friendly, caring and sensitive individuals, who are able to offer social stimulation as well as care to the patients they tend. The job is a physical one and often requires manual handling, so a good level of fitness is also required. Healthcare assistants usually work a shift, which may include nights, weekends and bank holidays.

All workers must have a DBS check and it is necessary to have prior experience of care work.

Description

Taking care of patients, monitoring their vitals, and helping them with basic daily needs, are all roles that Health Care Assistants perform. This job requires for them to be flexible, physically fit and empathetic. Assistants may also be required to use special equipment’s.

Skills

• Being able to take care of people

• Being able to work on own or with a team

• Being discrete and professional

• Being efficient and dependable

• Being flexible and organised

• Being physically fit and having stamina

• Being respectful and friendly

• Being sensitive and having a sense of humour

• Being sympathetic and patient

• Understanding health and safety guidelines

Work Activities

As a healthcare assistant you would work under the supervision of nursing staff.

Your duties could include: Your day-to-day work may include using mobility aids and equipment to help lift and move patients. In hospitals you may also escort patients between departments. With experience, you may be involved in induction training for new healthcare assistants.

Healthcare assistants are also known as support workers, nursing assistants and nursing auxiliaries.

• helping patients to wash, shower or dress

•  serving food or helping people eat

• making and changing beds

• turning patients who are confined to bed to avoid pressure sores

• talking to patients to help them feel less anxious

• helping patients to move around if they find it difficult

• giving out and collecting bedpans, and helping patients to the toilet

• making sure the ward or patients’ homes are tidy

• keeping supplies and equipment in order

• taking and recording observations such as temperature, pulse and breathing