Blog

A Day in the Life of a Paediatric Healthcare Assistant

What is a typical day like

I arrive early to prepare consulting rooms, ensure clinical supplies are stocked, and check equipment like scales and blood pressure monitors are safe to use. I will greet children and their families, help children feel comfortable, and take measurements such as height, weight, and blood pressure (observations), recording them accurately in patient records. I will assist clinicians during consultations and minor procedures which may include using distraction techniques or applying numbing creams for blood tests ensuring the patient is comfortable and safe, being a chaperone when Dr’s are examining a child during their consultation. I report any general condition / appearance of patients to the Paediatrician. Also, within my role I work alongside the Children Community Nursing Team assisting them during home visits.

Why do I enjoy my job?

I enjoy my job as a Paediatric Healthcare Assistant (HCA) because it is profoundly rewarding, offering the chance to improve children's lives, work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment where no two days are the same, and be part of a supportive team. I have gained valuable, hands-on clinical skills and have opportunities to progress, such as in Phlebotomy, and learning from specialized Nurses. The role is never boring, with constant variety in patient needs, and helping with specialist clinics such as, Dietetics, Asthma, Allergy, Diabetes, Autism and Blood clinics.

I also help parents with their equipment such as sats monitors, suction machines and all the equipment needed to support these. This is done by email where I organise deliveries or deliver these myself and keeping the equipment up to date with their service.

I play a vital role in providing comfort and emotional support to both children and their families and work alongside like-minded, caring people, often building close friendships, 

What makes me feel the proud about the work I do?

I feel proud as I play a vital role in providing comfort and emotional support to both children and their families and work alongside like-minded, caring people, often building close friendships.

What’s important to me and my team, what I would like to raise awareness about?

Having relationships based on trust as team members to feel safe to speak up and challenge the status quo, and be ourselves, communication and empathetic listening and working efficiently and maintaining morale. To have a very clear, unified direction, ensuring all members are focused on the same outcome and to always have open communication. To feel comfortable with all your team. Also to have a good relationship/friendship with the team outside of work to help build good trust and understanding.