Healthcare Assistants are integral members of our clinical teams in all areas and, this week, we’re shining the spotlight on just a few of them; starting with Elanna, one of our HCAs in the Emergency Department.
I love my job! I’d wanted to work in healthcare for as long as I could remember and I started my HCA journey six years ago doing an apprenticeship in Leeds.
When I was younger, I wanted to be a nurse but felt like I needed some experience before I jumped into university. When I qualified as a HCA I loved it so much that I decided a staff nurse role wasn’t for me.
Right now, I’m happy in my role but I would love to complete my Band 3 in the Emergency Department eventually as I would like to pick up some extra skills.
I just find being a HCA so rewarding – the biggest part of my role is helping others. Seeing them get better and being part of that process is the thing I love most about my work.
A typical day for me as a HCA includes lot of observations, doing covid swabs, moving patients from the emergency department onto the wards and helping them get home by booking taxis or speaking to their relatives.
Perhaps the reason I enjoy being a HCA so much is the personal element we add to patient care. We often help people by just being there to talk to. Sometimes it’s hard in a busy department to offer that extra comfort to people but we spend as much time as we can with each patient if they need it and I can see how much of a difference it makes to them.
I really enjoy meeting new people and learning new things and the HCA role offers lots of opportunities for me to do that. I’m based in the Emergency Department but I have recently been helping to run the Trust’s Covid vaccination clinics which has been an excellent way for me to expand my role.
If you’re considering a career in healthcare, wether that be as a HCA or you are wanting to start as a HCA and go into nursing, I would encourage you to just jump in! I have had issues with anxiety in the past and in my experience powering through with work has helped me to realise that things are never as scary as you think they are.
It seems like a lot to take in at first but DBTH is full of wonderful people to help you along and there is always someone to talk to!
Thinking about a career in the NHS?
Joining DBTH as a Healthcare Assistant (HCA) is a great way to begin your career in the NHS. It offers experience and routes through to nursing careers and our HCAs are highly valued members of our team who help us to provide quality care for our patients.
We have both trained Healthcare Assistant and Apprentice Healthcare Assistant posts coming soon at DBTH so whether you’re experienced or looking to start your training, keep an eye on our Join the Team page.
More information about the Healthcare Assistant role is available here.