Understanding Band 2 Healthcare Assistants: Roles, Responsibilities, and Benefits

My specific job title is a Health Care Support Worker, often abbreviated as HCSW, and I have been led to believe that the support worker role differs from the assistant role but the internet and my colleagues can't seem to discern why. For the purpose of this answer, we shall treat them as one and the same.

NHS Paygrade and Level of Responsibility

The NHS paygrade and level of responsibility depend on the 'band' under which one is employed. My specific NHS trust is encouraging all of us to move up to band 3 - and you have to opt out rather than in - which comes with more training. This also seems to differ based on the trust.

I believe mine offers cannulation training and around a pound’s worth of pay rise, but then... you should not choose to work in healthcare because you want to earn a lot. It is all for the patients.

Roles and Responsibilities

I work two twelve-hour shifts a week, and these are my responsibilities:

Personal Care

Washing and dressing patients Changing patients' beds once a day or encouraging them to do so to the greatest extent that they can Emphasizing individual autonomy and independence, as well as other aspects of personal hygiene-based care

Mobility and Equipment

Turning patients with reduced mobility Using specialist equipment such as hoists

Basic Observations

Making skin checks to identify any compromised skin integrity particularly for the elderly

Nutritional Support

Serving meals and assisting patients who need help cutting up their food or with eating

Interdepartmental Collaboration

Liaising with the physio and dietary teams to arrange further support if necessary Filling in food intake and fluid balance charts

Communications and Support

Offering support to nurses and notifying them in the event of any concerns Answering patient buzzers and helping them with their requests and concerns

Discharge and Post-Discharge Care

Helping patients who have been discharged to pack away their belongings and cleaning down the area, bed mattress, and other furniture and equipment

Preliminary Paperwork

Completing preliminary paperwork such as patient weight and height, existing injuries, belongings, and meal orders for new patients

Patient Wellbeing

We are all on our feet all day long, and as tiring as it is, ultimately one leaves work knowing they have made even the smallest of differences.

Stay safe, happy, and pensive.

Win