Palliative care assistant

You could do a college course to learn some of the skills you need for this job, like a Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
• search for courses

You could train towards this role through:

• a healthcare support worker intermediate apprenticeship
• a lead adult care worker advanced apprenticeship

This will usually take 12 months to complete. You'll do on-the-job training and spend time at a college or training provider.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

Experience, either paid or voluntary in a healthcare role, is usually expected by employers. You can contact the voluntary services co-ordinator or manager at your local NHS trust for more details.

Some employers will also expect you to have a good understanding of end of life care, or palliative care.

You may not need any formal qualifications to start work as a palliative care assistant, but GCSEs grades (A* to C) in English and maths may be useful in helping you to find a job.

Some employers may also want you to have a level 2 qualification in health and social care, like a certificate, diploma, GCSE or NVQ.

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a palliative care assistant from Health Careers.

You'll need:

• sensitivity and understanding
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• customer service skills
• knowledge of psychology
• excellent verbal communication skills
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks, as you may be working with children and vulnerable adults

As part of your day-to-day duties, you could:

• apply simple wound dressings
• give medication
• change medical equipment like catheters, when required
• make sure equipment is cleaned and stored correctly
• care for the person's body after death

You could work in the community, in an NHS or private hospital or at a hospice.

You may need to wear a uniform.