How To Become A Healthcare Assistant

A day in the life of a healthcare assistant can vary but may include things like helping patients to wash and dress, serving food and possibly feeding patients, taking medical measurements, (temperatures, pulse rates, etc.,) and samples such as blood and urine.

They might also help to prepare patients for surgery, especially if they’re a hospital-based HCA.

Aside from general tasks, the role of a Healthcare Assistants can require you to offer support to patients. Patients who need healthcare assistants are often vulnerable and scared, and a reassuring word or calm smile can work wonders to alleviate embarrassment or discomfort.

On average, a healthcare assistant earns on average £16,000 – £18,000 a year, with assistants in London typically getting paid more. Those working in the private sector may also receive higher salaries.

As we’ve mentioned, the role of a healthcare assistant is to make the patient’s experience whilst receiving care more comfortable.

You don’t need any specific qualifications to become a healthcare assistant, though you’ll need good literacy and numeracy skills and you may be asked for GCSEs or equivalent to prove them. 

However, as positions may be competitive, it can be a good idea to have taken some healthcare-related courses. 

The University of Essex’s MSc International Healthcare Management, which can be studied part-time, is perfect for people who live a busy schedule

Becoming a healthcare assistant doesn’t need any work experience, though any experience in a clinical setting, such as a GP reception, may be advantageous.

Healthcare assistants receive inductions in which they learn the basic skills and are offered guidance in their early careers by more experienced HCAs and nursing staff.

Being a healthcare assistant can be a great way to get experience in the medical field. This means that careers in nursing, midwifery or even medicine will look favourably on any time spent as an HCA.

Time spent exploring the different wards and specialities will have given you a great idea of where you might like to progress. Maybe working with pregnant mothers sparks joy for you, and a career in midwifery is the answer! Maybe you love helping the elderly, and you decide to pursue a career in social care.

That said, all those career paths require additional training and degrees. The good news is that many employers will support their workers in working part-time whilst studying towards a medical degree.

If you’re not interested in a career further into medicine, there are many opportunities to get into the administrative side of things. Knowing how wards work and specific medical terms can be a huge advantage when it comes to entering positions like a medical typist or secretary. You could even end up in a management position where your first-hand knowledge of the ward will be a boon for your employees.