Nursing roles and case studies

What is the role of a Lead Healthcare Assistant

Assisting nurses and clinicians

Being competent to take a basic history and perform routine observations.

Knowing when to escalate the results.

What qualifications and experience do I need?

NVQ level 2and 3

English and Maths GCSE

Pay and benefits

As a lead healthcare assistant, you’ll be paid on the Agenda for Change pay system, typically on band 3. The next step would be to train as an Associate Practitioner. This is a University course that leads to a Band 4

Registration

This is an unregistered post

My Story: Emma Channing

I have been working for UHP for 21 years.

How I got into this role

Worked in a Nursing home when I left school, and completed NVQ level 2 and 3.

Started in Derriford after that and converted the NVQs from community to secondary care recognition, with added skills such as venepuncture, cannulation, catheterisation, aseptic technique, 02 therapy

My role at UHP

I triage patients on arrival to the Acute Assessment Unit. Basic history, routine observations, blood sugars, ECGs, specimen collection.

Assist nurses, ACPs and Drs with supporting patients and their relatives. I escort patients to various departments for tests and investigations.

I also take a bay of 5 patients and oversee the care of them during their stay.

I really enjoy meeting the patients. I like the flexibility that shift work allows, but with the benefit of no night duty or weekend working!

High workload and increasing numbers of patients means there is more pressure to do an efficient job.

Life outside of work

My 4 year old daughter makes me laugh every day! Looking forward to getting a puppy to add to the chaos!

My top tips to being successful

I love what I do at the moment and have no plans to move on at present.

I think it is best to start at the bottom and work your way up to get the full benefit of hands – on experience.