Our health care assistant roles also include: maternity assistants, therapies assistants, theatres assistants and paediatric assistants. Healthcare assistants are often known as healthcare support workers.
As a health care assistant you will have a vital role in delivering hands-on care to patients including:
- Understanding and recording a patient’s temperature, breathing, pulse and weight
- Supporting patients to eat and serving their meals
- Helping patients wash and dress
- Taking patients to the toilet
- Spending time talking to patients, answering their questions as far as possible and making sure they are comfortable
- Helping patients to get out of bed and move around
- Supporting patients to change position in bed
Entry requirements
To become a health care assistant, you must have level 2 literacy (English) and level 1 numeracy (maths) which will be tested at your job interview. You don’t need to have a clinical background or clinical skills – all training is provided on the job.
Training and development
Health care assistants join the Trust as a band 2 member of staff. Every HCA receives one week of classroom training and will be supported to complete a Care Certificate within three months of joining the Trust.
Every year we run a conference specifically for healthcare assistants focussed on different aspects of care and how we can better understand the perspective of our patients.
As a healthcare assistant at the Trust you can also attend London-wide events six times a year, which give you the opportunity to meet other professionals in a similar role.
Career progression
We offer the Health and Social Care (Adults) level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship to healthcare assistants, which covers the essentials of working in a health and social care environment.
Any healthcare assistant who is employed by the Trust on a permanent basis can apply for the apprenticeship, providing they have completed their Care Certificate and have the support of their manager.
There are 54 apprenticeships available each year. The application process is competitive but successful candidates have their apprenticeship funded by the Trust. The apprenticeship lasts 18 months and successful healthcare assistants receive a Diploma in Health and Social Care once they have completed it.
Health Care Assistant Specific Responsibilities
- Provide personal care services to clients in their homes, including assistance with bathing, dressing, and grooming.
- Help clients with mobility and transfers, ensuring their safety and comfort.
- Assist with meal preparation, feeding, and ensuring dietary needs are met.
- Administer medications as prescribed and assist with reminders or prompts.
- Monitor clients’ health conditions by taking vital signs and reporting changes to the appropriate professionals.
- Support clients with household tasks such as light cleaning, laundry, and shopping.
- Offer companionship and emotional support, ensuring clients feel valued and cared for.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of care provided, including observations and any changes in client conditions.
- Ensure a safe environment for clients by identifying and addressing potential hazards in the home.
- Promote clients’ independence and dignity, respecting their privacy and preferences.
- Work closely with family members, healthcare professionals, and other caregivers to coordinate care plans.
- Adhere to health and safety regulations, confidentiality guidelines, and company policies.
Benefits:
Application question(s):
- Do you have a car and a valid UK driving licence?
Experience:
- Home care: 1 year (required)
Language:
- English (required)
Reference ID: HCA/25/01
To apply for this job please visit www.glassdoor.com.