About the Health Care Assistant's Role

Opportunities to work in health care areas continue to grow with the aging population and increased medical care procedures. According to the National Institutes of Health, health care assistants play an increased role in primary care. Support personnel allow physicians, nurses and other professionals to concentrate on tasks requiring advanced education and trainer. Nursing shortages increase the need for support assistants.

Title

• The title applied to health assistants varies by state. Some states, such as Washington, Tennessee, Massachusetts and Georgia, use the title "health care assistant" and have educational training programs. Other states use different titles, including certified nursing assistant, nurses' aid, and nursing or patient care technician, for people who perform the same care role.

Location

• The role you perform as a health care assistant depends on the state and the type of facility you work in. The work permitted varies by state and sometimes by other factors. According to Washington State Department of Health, a health care assistant's role in Washington depends on her certification level, with each advanced level increasing in procedures performed. Work locations include hospitals, medical offices or clinics, nursing home, rehabilitation facilities, or in the person's home.

Patient Care

• Your role as a health care assistant often focuses on helping patients with personal care such as bathing, feeding, dressing and mobility, such as going to the bathroom or taking walks. According to the U. S. Department of Labor, you may work with ill, disabled, elderly or injured people.

Support

• Health care assistants generally work under the supervision of nursing staff. Duties include activities that support the nurses and doctors, such as setting up equipment, gathering supplies, and managing inventory. According to Dona Ana Community College, other possible duties include operating specialized equipment and obtaining medical diagnostic results.