Healthcare assistants



What is a healthare assistant?

Healthcare assistants (HCAs) provide hands on care to patients including supporting nurses and the wider clinical team on the wards. HCAs support personal care, meal times and helping to make a person’s stay in hospital a better experience. 

It is a valuable and rewarding role. And one that has been recognised with options to build this job into a career if you want. 

Many of our HCAs love working directly with patients but some want to build their skills and earning potential with additional training. You’ll be part of our NHS team and can access the generous benefits package which includes pension, holiday allowance and flexible working.

How do I become a healthcare assistant (HCA)?

There are two routes available:

Contents

If you have worked in a similar role and already have NVQ L2 or a relevant care qualification, then you can start in a HCA role with additional training and support.

You’ll join the team for a week’s WHH induction and then do a three week placement on you ward/ department, support by a buddy. 

You’ll build on your care skills and learn how to take observations like blood pressure and take on more tasks to support our nurses.

If you don’t have experience, don’t worry. The apprenticeship route is for people of all ages, not just school leavers.

Our HCAs come from all walks of life, some have worked in retail, admin, warehouses and even on airlines. 

You’ll earn as you learn over a 12 to 18 month period, linking with a local college to gain your NVQ level 2 in care. WHH will provide a weekly study time on the ward so you can apply your learning in practice and work towards your qualification

Further development

If you are happy in this role that’s great, but if you wanted to progress in the future, find out how we can support you to become a nursing associate.

HCAs can apply for a trainee nurse associate apprenticeship after a year in the role.

Some of our HCAs have decided to become a registered nurse and studied over several years to gain the entry qualification through the apprenticeship route, following completion of the trainee nursing associate programme. 

HCAs with a BTEC qualification or equivalent can apply to directly access the registered nurse training.

Each year the Trust supports a small number on the apprenticeship pathway.

Visit Skills for health website for details on the apprenticeship pathways in nursing.