Care Assistant duties and responsibilities
A Care Assistant focuses on helping patients maintain the best quality care when they are in a hospital, long-term care facility or nursing home. They have a wide range of duties and responsibilities.
- Take each patient’s blood pressure, pulse and temperature at regular intervals and take note of the results for the physician or nurse
- Transport patients from one area of a care facility to another or to a new care facility
- Change bedpans, bathe, feed and administer prescribed medications to patients as necessary
- Prep patients for surgery
- Supervise patients when they are outside or exercising
- Be prepared to administer First Aid in an emergency situation
- Lift and turn patients who are unable to move themselves
- Ensure the safety of all patients at all times
Care Assistant skills and qualifications
A successful Care Assistant candidate will have the following skills and expertise:
- CPR certification and First Aid completion
- Completion of food handling courses
- Completion of sterilization procedures courses
- A secondary school education
- Completion of a health care aide program
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to use all machinery and equipment found in hospitals, long-term care facilities and nursing homes
- Kind, patient and devoted to patient care
Care Assistant experience requirements
While experience is always an asset, candidates are mainly required to have completed the above-mentioned training courses. In addition, Care Assistants are expected to be kind, respectful and empathetic. Patience is truly a virtue in this line of work. With patients who need so much help with all of their daily tasks, it takes the love and devotion of a kind-hearted Care Assistant to ensure the safety and happiness of all patients.
Care Assistant education and training requirements
Secondary school is a requirement, but completion of a health care aide program is highly recommended. Some institutions may require candidates to have CPR and First Aid training, in addition to certifications of proper food handling and sterilization procedures. Different institutions will have varying requirements, depending on the type of care being offered.
Care Assistant salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average Care Assistant salary is $21.86 per hour. Salaries are determined by years of experience, location, and the expertise or certifications of the individual.
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