It takes a special kind of person to become a health care assistant. The job comes with new challenges and changing environments each day, and a good care aide will be able to rise to the occasion with a positive attitude, determination, and compassion. If you’re considering health care assistant training, it’s important to be aware of what the job entails. Health care assistants provide a wide range of support services, either short-term or on an ongoing basis, for any number of clients, whether they’re seniors, have a disability, or live with a chronic illness. In order to provide the best possible level of care, health care assistants must possess a few key qualities, which can help them handle the situations that arise on a daily basis and maintain a good relationship with clients.

Do you want to become a health care assistant? You might be wondering whether you’ll be able to handle the responsibilities that come with the job. At the end of the day, what makes a great care aide is possessing genuine care for others, and being motivated to help them. If that sounds like you, check out this infographic for some key signs that care work could be your calling.

5 Signs You Should Become a Health Care Assistant

A good health care assistant possesses many different qualities. If any of these qualities sound like you, it could be a sign that you’re ready for this career!

1. You’re Patient and Respectful

A good care aide takes the time to listen to clients, and always treats them with respect.

Clients may:

• Take longer to perform activities 
• Have trouble vocalizing their needs
• Experience heightened emotions and frustration

Make sure that you can:

• Take the time to make clients feel heard
• Treat clients as individuals
• Show clients that their experience is valid

1. You’re Empathetic

Health care assistants must be able to put themselves in a client’s position in order to understand their needs.

Clients may be:

• Sick
• Lonely
• Isolated

Empathizing with clients helps care aides to:

• Understand clients’ needs
• Communicate more effectively with clients 
• Deliver better care

1. You’re Observative and Reliable

Care aides have a lot of responsibility, as a client is dependent on them to perform tasks.

Clients rely on caregivers to help them with the following:

• Personal grooming
• Nutrition and meals
• Getting up
• Getting dressed

Observing clients closely helps to:

• Recognize when something is wrong or different

• Anticipate their needs 
• Notice and report changes

1. You Can Be Flexible

A health care assistant performs many different tasks on any given day. It’s important to be prepared.

• Everyone is different
• A client’s needs may change
• Care aides should be ready to adapt
• Care aides should customize their approach to the client

1. You Truly Care

Above all, health care assistants must prioritize the well-being of others in order to provide care.

Health care assistants show they care by:

• Showing up every day motivated to help someone 
• Having a good attitude 
• Showing clients they want to be there

Sources:

bluebirdcare.ie/2016/02/01/26-important-qualities-to-be-a-healthcare-assistant/

guardiancarers.co.uk/care-information/care-assistant-skills-and-qualities-required

crghomecare.uk.com/10-qualities-skills-need-care-assistant/