Healthcare Assistant
Healthcare assistants (HCAs) work in hospital or community settings, such as GP surgeries, under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional.
Working life
As a healthcare assistant (HCA), you'll work under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional, usually a nurse. Sometimes staff working in HCA roles are known as nursing assistants, nursing auxiliaries or auxiliary nurses.
The work varies depending on where you're based. In a hospital for example, you may be
In a health centres and GP surgery, you may
As well as nurses, HCAs work with doctors, midwives and other healthcare professionals. They have a lot of contact with patients.
Working life
As a healthcare assistant (HCA), you'll work under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional, usually a nurse. Sometimes staff working in HCA roles are known as nursing assistants, nursing auxiliaries or auxiliary nurses.
The work varies depending on where you're based. In a hospital for example, you may be
- washing and dressing patients
- serving meals and helping to feed patients
- helping people to move around
- toileting
- making beds
- talking to patients and making them comfortable
- monitoring patients' conditions by taking temperatures, pulse, respirations and weight
In a health centres and GP surgery, you may
- sterilise equipment
- do health checks
- restock consulting rooms
- process lab samples
- take blood samples
- do health promotion or health education work
As well as nurses, HCAs work with doctors, midwives and other healthcare professionals. They have a lot of contact with patients.
Healthcare Assistant study supported by Blackpool and The Fylde College
Course details open in new window
Clinical Health - Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship (City and Guilds)
Clinical Healthcare Support - Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship (City and Guilds)
Leadership for Health and Social Care - Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship (NCFW CACHE)
Clinical Healthcare Support - Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship (City and Guilds)
Leadership for Health and Social Care - Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship (NCFW CACHE)