What does a Healthcare Assistant do?
Healthcare assistants play an important role in the NHS by making sure a patient's experience is as comfortable and stress-free as possible. It can also be the stepping stone into many other NHS roles.
You'll work under the guidance of a healthcare professional such as a nurse and your job will vary depending on where you're based. For example, in a hospital you may:
- Help to feed patients
- Help people to move around the facility
- Make sure patients feel as comfortable as possible
- Process lab samples
- Take blood samples
What about pay and benefits?
As a Healthcare Assistant your standard working week will be around 37.5 hours and may include a mix of shifts, such as nights, early starts, evenings and weekends.
You're salary will start from £18,546 per year.
You’ll also have access to the NHS generous pension scheme and health service discounts, as well as 27 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays, which increases the longer you’re in service
Do I need any skills or qualifications?
You don't need any set entry requirements to become a healthcare assistant.
Some 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 BTECs or NVQs.
With experience and further training, you could become a senior Healthcare Assistant, Nurse, Podiatrist, Midwife, or Occupational Therapist
Please note - some jobs or work experience will require a DBS check which confirms whether any criminal history affects your suitability to a specific jobs or work experience. The Prince’s Trust want to make sure all young people can get into employment, and will work with you to find employers and roles to suit your background.
How can The Prince's Trust help?
We'll match you with a course we're running in your area and set you up with a Prince's Trust mentor to help you become the best applicant you can be for this role. We’ll also talk to you about what support you need to get a job.
As a member of the Prince's Trust, you will receive:
- Information about the employer, job role and the exciting work involved
- Application guidance by experts
- One-to-one mock-interviews and interview training
- A guaranteed interview with employers who are hiring right now!
- Access to funding to help you start work e.g. travel expenses
- Free access to 3 hours of 1:1 sessions on MYNDUP with accredited therapists and coaches (CBT, psychotherapy, life coaching, and more!) to support your mental wellbeing
- 6 months of coaching support to help you settle into the role
Register your interest for this role!
Step 1
Register your interest by tapping 'Register Now' and filling out the form on the next page.
Step 2
Book a call with us at a time that suits you to discuss the role and programme in a bit more detail.
Step 3
Attend the programme and we'll support you through your application for your new dream job!
Double check that you're eligible...
> You're aged 18 - 30
> You have the right to work in the UK
> Have had the necessary Covid-19 vaccinations (or be prepared to)