Overview

Healthcare Assistants (HCAs) make sure the patient’s experience is as comfortable as possible. It can also be a stepping stone into many other roles within the NHS. HCAs work under the guidance of other Healthcare Professionals such as a Practice Nurse (PN). The duties of the role will depend on place of work and experience. Within general practice an HCA may:

  • Conduct ECGs
  • Health Promotion
  • Assist with management of Long-Term Conditions
  • Undertake wound care
  • Phlebotomy
  • Conduct NHS Health Checks
  • Stock Consulting Rooms

Career Pathway

There are no set entry requirements to become an HCA. Employers expect good literacy and numeracy and may ask for GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths. They may also ask for a healthcare qualification such as BTEC or NVQ in Health and Social Care. Employers expect some prior experience of healthcare or care work in the form of paid or voluntary work.

Training as a HCA will include basic nursing skills and completion of the Care Certificate developed by Skills for Care, Skills for Health and Health Education England.

Training and Development

Development resources for HCAs including information on the Nurse Associate role, HCA Certificate, Apprenticeship pathways and HCA Training events. Please explore the links below for useful information on skills, learning opportunities and career development for HCAs.

Training Nurse Associate – each learning provider may vary, please click on the links below for Staffordshire and Wolverhampton.

HCA Certificate  https://www.skillsforhealth.org.uk/info-hub/category/the-care-certificate/

HCA Award  https://www.staffs.ac.uk/course/for-health-care-assistants-delivering-care-in-the-community-certificate-in-continuous-professional-development

Local training opportunities STW Training and Education calendar 

STW Training Hub Offers

  • Support to HCAs and their employers to apply and enrol on the Nursing Associate Apprenticeship which is a two-year programme or the Registered Nursing Degree Apprenticeship (dependant on appropriate qualifications/evidence of academic ability)
  • Support to upskill and enhance scope of practice for example; Venepuncture, Wound Care, Immunisation Training
  • Support for more involved training and qualifications such as the HCA Award at the University of Staffordshire. For more information on the HCA Award, please click here.
  • Peer support network led by the Training Hub HCA Facilitator

Contact

Jodie McCarthy, Student Nurse Placement Facilitator stw.traininghub@nhs.net