Healthcare Assistants (HCAs) work within a variety of NHS Hospital and community settings. Their specific duties depend on the area they work in however; in the next paragraph I will be outlining the general duties for you. The average rate of pay for a Healthcare Assistant is around £8.21 to £14 per hour.
The daily duties of a HCA
- Observing, monitoring and recording patient’s conditions by taking temperatures, pulse, respirations and weight.
- Communicating with patients, their relatives/loved ones and carers.
- Assisting with clinical duties.
- Personal care including infection prevention and control, food and personal hygiene.
- Overall reassurance, comfort and safety.
- Checking and ordering supplies.
Qualifications to be a HCA
Although there are no set entry requirements you need to become a HCA – some employers may ask if you have:
- Grade A-C in English and Maths
- Healthcare qualification such as a BTEC or an NVQ in a Healthcare field
- Certain amount of experience in a Healthcare setting
Skills you’ll need to be a HCA
- A caring nature
- An approachable nature
- An open mind
- Interpersonal skills
- Good communication skills
- Good listening skills
- Respect for client confidentiality
- Flexibility
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Ability to remain calm and patient in tough situations
- Good organisational skills
Typical HCA interview questions
- What made you chose this area of Healthcare over others?
- Why do you think it’s essential to keep records?
- Give me an example of a time when you’ve had to use your initiative
- How would you care for the families of patients who are particularly distressed?
- Are you comfortable working anti-social hours?
- Can you describe a stressful experience you’ve had and explain how you coped with it?
- Can you describe what you think a HCA does and what type of people or groups you could possibly work with?
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