THE NAME DOESN'T MATTER - IT'S ALL ABOUT CARING. (Health Care Assistant)

Member Name: senga53

Product:	Health Care Assistant
Date:	19/11/08 (796 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Helping others,

Disadvantages: Not suitable for everyone.

Health Care Assistant is the job title given to individuals who take care of our sick and elderly in Britain. Over the years the job title has changed many times. Auxilliary Nurse, Care Assistant, Home Help, Care Attendant and Carer are naming a few.

For more years than I care to remember, I have worked as a Health Care Assistant. I have worked in a Hospital, in a Care Home, in a Nursing Home and also in people's own homes.

I don't think it matters where I work as the basics, of what my job description is, are the same. My job is to take care of, and look after those who cannot, for whatever reason, look after themselves.

A number of years ago, when I worked in a hospital, my job was to look after elderly people. Most of those people were suffering with different stages of, either Dementia or old age. As a Health Care assistant, it was my role to ensure that each individual was assisted in all aspects of their personal care. This could range from something as simple as running a bath for someone, to having to wash, dress, comb hair, shave and assist with toileting for another. None of this was ever a problem to me. I loved my job and I wanted to help people.

In the Care Home and Nursing Home my duties were much the same. Each person had to be treated as a individual and their needs dealt with in a kind and helpful way. If one lady wanted her hair set in rollers, then that is what I did. If another lady did not want her hair set, then I didn't do it.

Probably the most enjoyable part of my job was when I was working in the community. Here, I went to people's own homes to assist them. Obviously each person has their own individual needs, and my duties changed from house to house. I could visit a old gentleman who needed assistance to shave and I could then visit another gentleman who needed assistance to shower and dress and I would then make his breakfast.

One occassion in particular sticks in my mind. I went to a certain house and found that an elderly lady, who was quite frail, had been up very early and struggled to get herself washed and dressed before I arrived. When I explained to her, that I was there to help her, she told me that she didn't want to put me to any trouble. I can remember putting the kettle on and then spending time, just chatting with her and drinking tea. It took two weeks of drinking tea,before she would allow me to help her. When this happened I felt that I had 'job satisfaction'.

On the other hand there are the people who, no matter what you do for them, it is never enough. I can remember visiting one person, who was quite mobile, but wanted me to do everything for them. My job there was to try to encourage them to be a bit more independant. This was a very slow process, as this person thought that, because I was visiting, that it was 'my job' to do everything and that I was 'getting paid for it'. This is a sad part of the job.

Another aspect of this job, is that, you become very attached to the people you visit. Close bonds can be formed and if their is a death, it can be like losing one of your family. I always try to look at this in a positive way. I tell myself that I was fortunate enough to have been able to make their last days, just that tiny bit easier for them.

Being a Health Care Assistant plays with lots of emotions. Some good and some bad. I don't think everyone could do this job. But then, I would hate to work in an office.

In my time doing this job, I have occassionally come across a few people who do not do their duties properly. I have never had any hesitaion in reporting them to the relevant authority.

It is my opinion that, if you cannot treat these vulnerable people, in the same way as you would treat one of your own family, then this is not the job for you.

Along the way I have made, lots and lots of friends and probably a few enemies too.

I would not swap my work for anything else.

Certain qualifications are needed to do the type of work and employers usually run the relevant courses. To do the work you need to have the following:

Moving and Assisting Certificate
Basic First Aid Certificate
Basic Fire Safety Certificate
Food and Hygeine Certificate

Many employers are now looking for employees to have an SVQ level 2 or 3 in Healthcare. This is the certificate in Scotland, I am unsure what the English Equivalent is. I have been told that a lot of employers now provide the funding for this certificate.

The pay for Healthcare Assistants varies qute a lot. If you work in a Care Home or Nursing Home you are usually paid just over the minimum wage. If you work in the Community for a private company it is about the same as a Care or Nursing Home. If you work for the NHS or your local Authority you can expect to get a bit more.

Summary: Treat them like your own..........