The Role
Healthcare assistants make sure the patient experience is as comfortable and stress-free as possible. Duties in General Practice may include performing health checks, taking blood samples, blood pressure, processing lab samples, restocking consulting rooms and undertaking health promotion advice. Being an HCA can also be the stepping stone into many other NHS roles, such as Nursing Associate.
Benefits for the Practice
- Allowing better use of nursing time
- Accelerating the delivery of services to patients
- Improving functioning of the practice
Benefits for the Patient
- Reducing times to be seen for routine appointments
Training & Development
There are no set entry requirements to become a healthcare assistant. Employers expect good literacy and numeracy and may ask for GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and maths. They may ask for a healthcare qualification, such as a Care Certificate, BTEC, NVQ or an Apprenticeship.
