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Career Spotlight: What Does a Healthcare Aide Do?

By September 10, 2024No Comments

A healthcare aide pushing a client in a wheelchair

Are you considering a career as a Healthcare Aide? What does a healthcare aide do? At the Academy of Learning Career College, Healthcare Aides support patients’ daily needs and improve their quality of life. 

These compassionate professionals are crucial in patient-centered care. If you’re passionate about helping others, this fulfilling career could be right for you. Today, we’ll explore what a Healthcare Aide does, the skills required, and how AOLCC AB can help you succeed.

What Does a Healthcare Aide Do?

Healthcare Aides (HCA) support clients or residents in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, personal care homes, and private residences. Their primary responsibility is to assist individuals with their physical, emotional, and social needs. This includes helping with activities of daily living such as bathing and dressing and assisting with ambulation, proper positioning, and mobilization.

Additionally, Healthcare Aides record vital signs, such as blood pressure, pulse, temperature, respirations, body weight, and height. They are skilled in collecting specimens for medical tests and supporting clients in palliative care and hospice settings. HCAs contribute to overall client care and safety by documenting all procedures and maintaining accurate records.

A healthcare aide combing a client’s hair

The role of a healthcare aide is multi-faceted 

Skills Required for Success

Now that we understand the answer to the question, what does a healthcare aide do? Certain personal attributes and skills are essential to succeed as a healthcare aide. Individuals in this role should be caring, dependable, and empathetic, genuinely wanting to help others. Trustworthiness, self-motivation, and a conscientious work approach are vital. Since HCAs work with diverse populations, being culturally sensitive, tolerant, patient, and respectful is important, as are reliability and punctuality.

In addition to these personal attributes, Healthcare Aides must possess digital literacy skills. They need to communicate effectively, research information, and understand how technology can impact behaviour. 

Possibilities for Career Advancement

A career as a Healthcare Aide offers numerous opportunities for advancement. With experience and additional training, HCAs can specialize in dementia care, palliative care, or rehabilitation. Some may further their education by becoming licensed practical nurses (LPNs) or registered nurses (RNs), expanding their scope of practice and taking on more complex responsibilities. 

Moreover, HCAs can work in various settings, offering unique experiences and challenges. From hospitals and long-term care facilities to private residences and community health organizations, the diversity of potential workplaces allows Healthcare Aides to find a setting that best fits their skills and interests. This flexibility allows you to tailor your career path to your preferences and professional goals.

A healthcare aide posing with an elderly patien

As a healthcare aide, many career advancement opportunities await

How AOLCC Prepares Students for Success

At the Academy of Learning Career College, our Healthcare Aide diploma program equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in their careers. The coursework begins with an introduction to the HCA role and responsibility, laying the groundwork for understanding the expectations and duties of a Healthcare Aide. 

Courses on the human body, health, and chronic illness provide a foundational knowledge of medical conditions and how to care for clients with various health issues. Communication and documentation in the healthcare environment are also emphasized, ensuring students can effectively interact with clients, families, and healthcare teams while maintaining accurate records.

Throughout the program, students learn to meet complex care needs and engage in special activities designed for clients with various health conditions. Our placements are essential for gaining hands-on experience and building the confidence to succeed in a healthcare environment. Reach that moment when you confidently step into your first role as a Healthcare Aide with the Academy of Learning Career College.

Are you ready to start your Healthcare Aide career? 

Your career awaits!