Healthcare assistants work under the guidance of a healthcare professional such as a nurse and their job will vary depending on where they are based.
For example, in a hospital they may:
- wash and dress patients
- serve meals and help to feed patients
- help people to move around
- make beds
- make patients feel comfortable
- monitor patients' conditions by taking temperatures, pulse, respirations and weight
In a health centres and GP surgery, they may
- sterilise equipment
- do health checks
- restock consulting rooms
- process lab samples
- take blood samples
- do health promotion or health education work
As well as nurses, HCAs work with doctors, midwives and other healthcare professionals. They have a lot of contact with patients.
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