Taking care of patients, monitoring their vitals, and helping them with basic needs are all roles that Healthcare Assistants perform. These categories of workers include nurses, midwives, and hospice workers among others. Assistants can be found working in hospitals, hospices, senor homes, or in the homes of patients.
Healthcare Assistants often work with doctors, therapists, radiographers or even podiatrists. They work on shift system or fill in when needed. This job requires for them to be flexible, physically fit and empathetic. Assistants may also be required to use special equipments.
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

• Being able to take care of people
• Being able to work on own or with a team
• Being discrete and professional
• Being efficient and dependable
• Being flexible and organised
• Being physically fit and having stamina
• Being respectful and friendly
• Being sensitive and having a sense of humour
• Being sympathetic and patient
• Understanding health and safety guidelines

Healthcare Assistants have to meet several criteria. This may include passing a security or background check done by their employers. Some employers offer training or apprenticeships. But workers must pass a physical that tests their physical competence and stamina.
Students leaving directly from high school can also access apprenticeship programs. Trainees would learn skills like first aid, health and safety policies, safety techniques, how to care for patients, taking vitals and communication. Courses which are applicable to this profession include Health and Social Care, Medicine, or Nursing.