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Health Care Assistant - Personal requirements

Kaiāwhina Tapuhi

Skills & knowledge

Health care assistants need to have:

basic patient care skills
good communication and people skills
knowledge of hygiene and hospital procedures
first aid skills, including ability to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
knowledge of proper lifting techniques or how to use the appropriate hoists
good time-management skills.

"Different wards require different skills. I started in the orthopaedic ward, where I learned a lot of lifting techniques. You can take that knowledge and use it anywhere in the hospital."

Anaru Moon - Health Support Worker

Personal Qualities

Health care assistants need to be:

mature and responsible
friendly, patient and helpful
practical and able to find solutions to problems
punctual
able to follow instructions
able to relate well to people from a range of cultures.

"You've got to be a good listener and be able to communicate in a way people understand. You've got to present yourself well and be patient and pleasant in your approach and manner."

Barbara McLean - Health Care Assistant - Support Administrator

Physical Requirements

Health care assistants need to be reasonably fit, healthy and strong with no back problems, as the work can be physically demanding.

They also need to have a neat and tidy appearance, as they go out into the community and into people's homes.

"We don't do as much lifting as we used to do because we have electric beds and the right equipment now, but your fitness is a big thing because injuries happen when you aren't fit."

Karen McIntyre - Healthcare Assistant

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Updated January 2009

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