Visa Sponsorship Jobs 2025

First Point Home Care

A Health Care Assistant (HCA), also known as a healthcare support worker, nursing assistant, or care assistant, works under the supervision of qualified healthcare professionals (such as nurses or doctors) to provide care and support to patients in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, or community care environments. The role focuses on assisting with patients’ daily needs, promoting their well-being, and supporting the healthcare team in delivering quality care.
Key Responsibilities of a Health Care Assistant:

  1. Personal Care:
    • Assist patients with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, toileting, and grooming.
    • Help with feeding or ensuring patients receive proper nutrition and hydration.
    • Support patients with mobility, including helping them move, walk, or transfer (e.g., from bed to chair).
  2. Basic Clinical Support:
    • Monitor and record vital signs (e.g., temperature, pulse, blood pressure) as directed.
    • Assist with basic medical procedures, such as changing dressings or collecting samples (e.g., urine or stool) under supervision.
    • Help prepare patients for examinations or treatments.
  3. Emotional and Social Support:
    • Provide companionship and emotional support to patients, especially those who are elderly, disabled, or chronically ill.
    • Listen to patients’ concerns and communicate them to the healthcare team when necessary.
  4. Maintaining a Safe and Clean Environment:
    • Ensure patient areas are clean, tidy, and safe (e.g., changing bed linens, sanitizing equipment).
    • Follow infection control protocols, such as proper handwashing and use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
  5. Assisting the Healthcare Team:
    • Support nurses and other staff with tasks like setting up equipment or transporting patients.
    • Report any changes in a patient’s condition or behavior to supervisors.
  6. Administrative Duties (in some settings):
    • Document patient care activities or observations in medical records.
    • Help with basic clerical tasks, such as scheduling appointments or organizing supplies.

Work Settings:

  • Hospitals: Assisting in wards, emergency departments, or outpatient clinics.
  • Nursing Homes/Residential Care: Supporting elderly or disabled residents with daily care.
  • Community Care: Visiting patients’ homes to provide care and support.
  • Mental Health Facilities: Assisting individuals with mental health conditions.
  • Hospices: Providing end-of-life care and support.

Skills and Qualities Required:

  • Compassion and Empathy: A caring and patient-centered approach to support vulnerable individuals.
  • Communication Skills: Ability to interact effectively with patients, families, and healthcare teams.
  • Teamwork: Collaborating with nurses, doctors, and other staff.
  • Physical Stamina: The role often involves standing for long periods, lifting, or assisting with patient mobility.
  • Attention to Detail: Observing and reporting changes in patients’ conditions accurately.
  • Adaptability: Handling varied tasks and responding to changing patient needs.

Qualifications and Training:

  • Education: No formal qualifications are always required, but a high school diploma or equivalent is often preferred. Some employers require or provide training for certifications like NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) in Health and Social Care (UK) or similar credentials.
  • Training: On-the-job training is common, covering areas like infection control, manual handling, and basic life support (e.g., CPR).
  • Experience: Prior experience in caregiving (e.g., volunteering or family care) can be beneficial.
  • Background Checks: Many roles require a clean criminal background check (e.g., DBS in the UK or equivalent).

Typical Working Conditions:

  • Hours: Often involves shift work, including nights, weekends, and holidays, depending on the setting.
  • Physical Demands: Can be physically demanding due to lifting, standing, or assisting patients.
  • Emotional Demands: Working with ill, elderly, or dying patients can be emotionally challenging but rewarding.

Career Path:

  • HCAs can progress to senior healthcare assistant roles or pursue further training to become a registered nurse, occupational therapist, or other healthcare professional.
  • Additional certifications or specialized training (e.g., in dementia care or palliative care) can enhance career prospects.

To apply for this job please visit daffodilmanagement.co.uk.