Posting date: | 23 May 2025 |
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Salary: | £24,465.00 per year |
Additional salary information: | £24465.00 a year |
Hours: | Full time |
Closing date: | 13 June 2025 |
Location: | Leeds, LS9 7TF |
Company: | NHS Jobs |
Job type: | Contract |
Job reference: | C9298-NUR-581D |
Roles of a Clinical Health Care Assistant
Clinical Health Care Assistants (HCAs) play a vital role in supporting both patients and healthcare professionals within hospitals, clinics, GP surgeries, and community settings. Their responsibilities typically include:
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Assisting patients with personal care tasks such as washing, dressing, and toileting
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Serving meals and helping patients eat and drink
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Helping patients move around and making beds
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Monitoring and recording patients’ vital signs (e.g., temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, weight)
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Sterilizing equipment and processing lab samples
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Preparing patients for therapy or medical procedures
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Providing emotional support and ensuring patient comfort
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Assisting with administrative tasks like updating patient records and scheduling appointments
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Supporting health promotion and education activities.
HCAs work under the supervision of nurses and other healthcare professionals, and they often have substantial direct contact with patients, making them key to the patient experience.
Qualifications for a Clinical Health Care Assistant
There are no strict educational requirements to become a healthcare assistant, but employers generally look for:
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Good literacy and numeracy skills (often evidenced by GCSEs or equivalent in English and maths)
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Some experience in healthcare or care work, either paid or voluntary
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A relevant healthcare qualification, such as a BTEC, NVQ, or similar vocational certificate, can be advantageous.
Training is often provided on the job and may include:
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Completion of the Care Certificate, which covers basic nursing and care skills
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Opportunities to pursue further qualifications, such as the NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Healthcare Support Services or Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support.
Employers also require background checks, including criminal record and health checks, to ensure suitability for working with vulnerable individuals.
Essential Skills and Personal Qualities
Successful HCAs possess a mix of technical and interpersonal skills, including:
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Empathy and caring attitude
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Good communication and listening skills
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Ability to work as part of a team and use initiative
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Attention to detail and strong observational skills
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Stress management and resilience
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Willingness to perform hands-on and sometimes personal care tasks
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Organizational and time management abilities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does a typical day look like for an HCA?
A typical day may involve helping patients with personal care, serving meals, monitoring vital signs, supporting mobility, and assisting healthcare professionals with clinical tasks. The specific duties can vary depending on the setting (hospital, GP surgery, care home, etc.).
Are formal qualifications required to become a healthcare assistant?
No formal degree is required. However, employers expect good literacy and numeracy, and may prefer candidates with relevant vocational qualifications or experience in care settings.
What training will I receive?
New HCAs usually complete the Care Certificate and receive on-the-job training in basic nursing and care skills. Further training and qualifications are often available for career progression.
What are the career prospects for HCAs?
With experience and additional training, HCAs can progress to senior roles, assistant practitioner positions, or pursue further study to become registered healthcare professionals such as nurses or midwives.
What are the working hours and pay like?
HCAs in the NHS typically work around 37.5 hours per week, including shifts (nights, weekends, early starts). Pay is usually based on the NHS Agenda for Change pay scale, starting at Band 2, with benefits such as pension schemes and annual leave1.
What questions might I be asked at interview?
Common interview questions include:
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Why do you want to be a healthcare assistant?
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How do you handle stressful situations?
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What experience do you have in care?
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How do you ensure patient dignity and confidentiality?
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What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Do I need experience to apply?
While experience is helpful and sometimes required, some employers offer entry-level positions or apprenticeships where you can gain experience as you train.
What is the difference between a healthcare assistant and a nurse?
Health Care Assistant provide essential support and personal care under the supervision of nurses and other professionals but are not responsible for clinical decision-making or administering medications (except in some extended roles). Nurses have more advanced training and responsibility for patient care plans and clinical interventions.
Clinical Health Care Assistants are the backbone of patient support in many healthcare settings, offering both practical and emotional care, with opportunities for training and career advancement.
To apply for this job please visit findajob.dwp.gov.uk.