Tips to Become a Good Health Care Assistant (HCA):
Oct 7, 2021
The role of the healthcare assistant is different and can include working with nurses as a nursing auxiliary, or without close supervision, in a care home or domestic setting.
The duties can include washing and dressing patients; feeding; helping people to mobilize; toileting; bed making; generally assisting with patients' overall comfort; monitoring patients' conditions by taking temperatures, pulse, and weight.
- Work experience required: if you are unqualified, registering with a reputable nursing agency requires at least six months of UK care experience. Two good clinical job references show that you can perform as a care assistant to the needed level. Numerous candidates apply in the first instance to serve in a nursing home or hospital setting under supervision. Careway Hire offers instant employment and also the chance to get the training and experience required by agencies.
- Get an NVQ: Hospitals, care homes, and other clients of Careway Hire now often expect candidates to have NVQ qualifications, often at Level 2 or above. In addition, further education colleges run NVQ training in social care. If you contact your local FE college, they will guide you on the best route to obtain the proper qualification. After finishing a course (lasting several months), you can supply a tutor's job references to support your job application to the agency.
- Join for extra training: you can develop your healthcare-related skills with short courses in addition to the NVQ.
- Consider agency work: once you have earned the appropriate experience, you can make extra payments and work flexibly. The agency employs staff within other staff 'bands' – such as care support, senior care, and NVQ3 qualified staff bands. Pay relates to the bar and the time of the day or week when you work – night work has higher pay rates than daytime, and weekend shifts also attract reasonable rates.
- Register with various agencies just once: by registering with Careway Hire, you will be eligible to work with some other agencies in the same group, if you choose, to increase your work opportunities. However, it's important to note that you must meet and maintain the required compliance standards. A good level of spoken and written English is essential to help ensure safety standards.
