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Health Care Assistant

Health care assistants work under the supervision of registered nurses. They assist nurses and other health professionals to carry out a variety of tasks for sick or elderly patients.

 

Tasks & duties

Health care assistants may do some or all of the following, depending on the type of facility they work in:

  • help patients with personal care such as eating, showering and toileting
  • clean and prepare medical equipment and instruments
  • take patients' electrocardiogram (ECG) readings, samples and fluid balances
  • help patients' rehabilitation in areas such as social skills and walking
  • keep work areas and patients' rooms clean and tidy
  • change bedlinen
  • prepare and serve meals
  • carry out clerical and phone duties
  • assist with, and prepare for patient discharges

 

Specialisations

Health care assistants may specialise in the following areas:

  • care of the elderly
  • care of people with disabilities
  • medical assistance in hospitals
  • community care services

 

Skills & knowledge

Health care assistants need to have:

  • basic patient care skills
  • good communication and people skills
  • knowledge of hygiene and hospital procedures
  • first aid skills, including ability to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
  • knowledge of proper lifting techniques or how to use the appropriate hoists
  • good time-management skills

 

Entry requirements

To become a health care assistant you need to have at least three years of secondary education. Useful subjects include English, maths and biology. Some health providers require health care assistants that have no previous convictions.

 

Tertiary education

Part-time polytechnic training courses in health, human relations and care of the elderly may be useful for health care assistants.

 

Training on the job

Skills are gained on the job. Most employers conduct an initial in-house training or orientation course when you start the job.

It is preferred that those working in rest homes complete a rest home care course while working. Qualifications are available through Careerforce, the Community Support Services Industry Training Organisation.

 

Useful experience

Useful experience for health care assistants includes:

  • work in rest homes and nursing homes
  • hospital work
  • any job that involves helping people

 

Related courses

Community Client Care
Hauora (Maori Health)
Health Care Assistant
Nursing

 

For more information, please refer to Career Services.

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