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Care Assistant Job Description: Top Duties and Requirements

A Care Assistant, or Health Care Aide, is an individual who assists Nurses, hospital staff, and Physicians in caring for the patients in long-term care facilities, nursing homes and hospitals. They are responsible for monitoring patient status, facilitating feedings and baths for patients who are incapable of caring for themselves, and for performing First Aid care in emergency situations.

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What does a Care Assistant do?

A Care Assistant will ensure that patients are safe and cared for at all times. They supervise patients and monitor their reactions to medications. The care provided by a Care Assistant allows medical personnel like nurses and physicians to focus on their tasks in an effort to give each patient the best quality care. They are also responsible for taking and tracking each patient’s vital signals and helping patients with personal hygiene.

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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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Care Assistant job description FAQs

What qualities should I look for in a Care Assistant?

In addition to the expertise required, a Care Assistant should be respectful, communicative, empathetic and patient. Caring for patients isn’t solely a technical job. It is a job for a devoted individual who truly cares about helping people. The ability to communicate openly and clearly is essential when it comes to patient care.

What is the difference between an Orderly and a Care Assistant

An Orderly takes care of the ward they are working in. This includes changing bed sheets, keeping the area clean and assisting patients who are moving to another location. A Care Assistant is instead more focused on the patient. Patient care is the most important part of the Care Assistant’s job. They are responsible for collaborating with nurses and physicians to keep track of vitals and ensure the patient is safe and well-cared for.

What are the day-to-day duties of a Care Assistant?

A Care Assistant has many daily duties. They are responsible for helping patients move, keeping them clean, helping them eat, administering prescribed medications, taking their blood pressure, administering First Aid in an emergency, preparing patients for surgery, collecting specimens, answering patient calls, and supervising patients during any sort of exercise or strenuous physical activity.

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