Career Suggestion

Healthcare assistant

Healthcare assistants look after patients in hospitals and sometimes at a patient's home.

Average salary (a year)

£25000.0 to £27000.0 (starter to experienced)

Typical hours (a week)

37.0 to 40.0

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on a rota

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role

College

You could do a college course, which may help you when looking for work.

Courses include:

  • preparing for further study in health, social care and social work
  • health and social care
  • T Level in Health

Most health and social care courses include work placements which is a good way to get experience.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

More Information

  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
  • guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
  • search for courses|/find-a-course

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Healthcare Support Worker Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship, or Senior Healthcare Support Worker Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • no specific qualifications or experience to apply for a foundation apprenticeship

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

Work

You could work as a trainee care assistant in a residential home or care home while you complete a qualification to become a healthcare assistant.

Volunteering

You'll find it useful to get some paid or voluntary experience in a care setting. This will help when you apply for jobs or training.

You can also find volunteering opportunities through The National Council for Voluntary Organisations and Do IT .

More Information

Career Tips

When you apply for jobs in the NHS, you'll need to show an understanding of how NHS values apply in your work.

Professional and Industry Bodies

You may find it useful to join the Royal College of Nursing to find professional development and training opportunities.

Further Information

You can find out more about becoming a healthcare assistant from Health Careers .

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • a desire to help people
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work well with others
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • customer service skills
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

Day-to-day tasks

As a healthcare assistant, you could:

  • help patients shower and get dressed
  • help people to eat their meals
  • use equipment to lift and move patients
  • talk to patients and reassure them
  • help patients to use the toilet
  • monitor patients' readings, like temperature, pulse and breathing
  • keep work areas clean and sterilise equipment
  • attend meetings with other healthcare professionals

Working environment

You could work in an NHS or private hospital, at a client's home, at an adult care home or at a hospice.

You may need to wear a uniform.

Healthcare assistant roles can be a stepping stone to other health careers.

With training, you can become an assistant practitioner in:

  • chiropody or podiatry
  • occupational therapy
  • radiography
  • physiotherapy

With experience, you can help to train new healthcare assistants.

You can also apply to train as a nurse, radiographer, dietitian, midwife or social worker.

Health Careers has information about careers in all areas of the NHS.

You can also use your skills in the social care sector. You can research more about roles in social care from Think Care Careers.

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