health care assistant in critical care (Health Care Assistant)

Member Name: cookie79

Product:	Health Care Assistant
Date:	11/07/07 (427 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: meet new people, learn new things, rewarding,

Disadvantages: long hours,unpleasent jobs

i currently work as an health care assistant in my local hospital on a critical care unit.(west midlands) I find it extremly rewarding. I have been working here for 5 years now. I work 12.5 hour shifts and because of the long days i only have to work 3 a week and make up a shift at the end of the month. Before this i spent the previous 8 years working as a care assistant and community assistant in nursing homes and resource centres. I work along trained nurses on the ward and help manage 10 level 3 beds(intensive care) where patients need respiratory support from machanical ventilators and major organ support and are "critically ill". I also help manage 6 level 2 beds (high dependancy)where patients are not so critical but still need a high level of dependant care and support, a kind of step down. I am trained in basic life support but my unit consists of one - one nursing care i very rarely have to get involed. I leave it up to the proffesionals. I have to keep updated with this so the trust sends everyone on a inservice study day once a year. I help with all aspects of nursing care, hygine needs and nutrition support. etc. As you can expect the nature of the unit we do regularly have patients who are so seriously ill that they often pass away. This can be tough, especially when they are young. It all comes naturally when i am in that situation especially when i am spending time with families and loved ones of someone they have lost. This is the down side of my job i must admitt. We have a range of patients ranging from very small children, teenagers, adults, prisoners etc. We also have attempted suicides and people who have actually succeded so you are exposed to alot of unpleasent sights but the support there for you is wonderfull.
I also take regular observations from patients and chart them on our observation charts, explain to families and friends what has been going on in the day with their family member/friend etc. I act as an extra pair of hands to staff nurses and sisters so i also do a lot of walking to labs with bloods and collecting blood producs when requested. I enjoy talking to the patients as we do often get long tearm patients who have been so poorly and have been able to recover and it is great to see how much some one can prove you wrong when they are so ill!!!. We have some fantastic parties and summer balls, it helps to let your hair down socialise with your work mates. We all have a great sence of humor and have a great laugh and joke with the doctors!!!. Being a health care assistant has helped to give me an insight to what being a nurse is all about. I do feel that health care assistants are not always appreciated in what they do. You find that some staff will try and make you there personal run aroud but i soon put them in their place!!. Working here has enabled me to gain a lot of experience and knowledge and i have decided to apply for my nurse training in 2008. I know i have got alot of support from my collegues of the unit and i am really appreciative of what they have taught me. I am so glad i was given the opportunity to work as an health care assistant but i must admit it is not for everyone. If you love working with people, have a caring nature and the abbility to learn new things this is a great rewarding job. You never know, you may even be able to teach the qualified staff a thing or two!!!!! You generally need some care experience to apply but the trust will always be willing to put you through your nvq 2 and 3 and gain this while you learn. Believe me your daily work as a hca covers all your units on the nvq. You will be supprised by how much you actually do and know when it comes to writing it down.

Summary: really rewarding and good if your interested in a career in health care.