- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- sensitivity and understanding
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to work well with others
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- the ability to work well with your hands
- excellent verbal communication skills
- customer service skills
- active listening skills
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
In this role you could:
- help patients shower and get dressed
- help people eat
- make beds
- use equipment to lift and move patients
- talk to patients and reassure them
- help patients to use the toilet
- tidy the ward or patients' homes
- take patients' temperature or pulse
- attend meetings with other healthcare professionals
You may need to wear a uniform.
You could work in an NHS or private hospital, at a client's home, at an adult care home or at a hospice.
With experience you could train new healthcare assistants.
With training, you could become an assistant practitioner in chiropody or podiatry, occupational therapy, radiography or physiotherapy.
You could also apply to train as a nurse, radiographer, dietitian, midwife or social worker.
Health Careers has information about careers in all areas of health.
You can find out more about becoming a healthcare assistant from Health Careers.
