Healthcare Assistant

Healthcare Assistants, also known as HCAs or nursing assistants, play a vital role in supporting nurses and other healthcare professionals to provide care for patients in hospitals, care homes, and community settings. Their duties typically include helping patients with personal care such as washing and dressing, assisting with meals, taking vital signs, and generally supporting people to maintain their dignity and comfort. HCAs are often the first point of contact for patients, making the role rewarding and challenging. No formal qualifications are required to start as a Healthcare Assistant, but employers often look for caring, compassionate individuals with good communication skills. Training is usually provided on the job, and HCAs can progress to more senior roles or train to become a nurse.