Requirements –

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role

College

You could do a college course, which may help you when looking for work. Courses include:

• Level 2 Certificate in Work Preparation for Health and Social Care
• Level 2 Diploma in Health and Social Care
• Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care

Most health and social care courses include work placements, which is a good way to get experience.

Entry Requirements

You’ll usually need:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

Apprenticeship

You can get into this job through an intermediate apprenticeship as a healthcare support worker.

Entry Requirements

You’ll usually need:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

 

Working Towards

You could work as a trainee care assistant in a residential or care home, and do qualifications on the job.

Volunteering

You’ll find it useful to get some paid or voluntary experience in a healthcare setting or personal care role. This will help when you apply for jobs.

You could contact the voluntary services co-ordinator at your local NHS Trust for advice about opportunities.

You’ll need:

• 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
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Main Responsibilities

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 will have to have passes enhanced background checks.

Wages and Conditions

The following salaries are a guide only:

• Starter: £18,005 
• Experienced: £24,157

Working Conditions

• You may work evenings, bank holidays or weekends.
• You could work in an NHS or private hospital, at a client’s home, at an adult care home or at a hospice.
• You may need to wear a uniform.