What are the roles of health care assistant?

Healthcare assistants play a vital role in the care of patients. Working under the direction of more senior healthcare professionals, they take care of the day-to-day needs of patients by providing help with personal care, meals and mobility. They also carry out a range of housekeeping duties, as well as performing basic medical checks, such as taking a patient's temperature, pulse and respiration rate.

The attitude of a healthcare assistant is of far more importance than any formal qualifications. Suitable candidates for the role are friendly, caring and sensitive individuals, who are able to offer social stimulation as well as care to the patients they tend. The job is a physical one and often requires manual handling, so a good level of fitness is also required.

A Healthcare Assistant usually performs many of the following tasks:

• Providing breakfast and other meals

• Helping disabled patients get around

• Making patients comfortable

• Checking temperature or blood pressure

• Keeping patient records

• Administering treatments to patients