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  3. Palliative care assistant

Palliative care assistant

Alternative titles for this job include Specialist healthcare assistant

Palliative care assistants provide specialist care and support to people living with progressive illness or those reaching the end of their life.

Average salary (a year)

£25,000 Starter

to

£28,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 42

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

College

You could do a college course to learn some of the skills you'll need as a palliative care assistant. Courses include:

  • care
  • health and social care
  • T Level in Health

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an apprenticeship, such as:

  • Health and Social Care Level 2 Foundation Apprenticeship
  • Healthcare Support Worker Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
  • Lead Adult Care Worker Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

Foundation apprenticeship

You can apply for a foundation apprenticeship if you're aged 16 to 21.

If you're aged 22 to 24, you can apply if you:

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • no specific qualifications or experience to apply for a foundation apprenticeship
  • 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

Volunteering

Volunteering in the NHS is a good way to get work experience in healthcare. This can be helpful when you apply for jobs or training.

You can also find opportunities through The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and Do it.

Direct Application

You could apply directly to become a palliative care assistant.

It could help your application if you have:

  • GCSEs grade 9 to 4 (A* to C) in English and maths
  • a qualification and experience in health and social care
  • an understanding of palliative care

More Information

Career tips

Palliative care is sometimes combined with end of life care, though there are differences between the two.

Further information

You can find out more about careers in healthcare from Health Careers.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • a desire to help people
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • the ability to work well with others
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • active listening skills
  • customer service skills
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

You may need a driving licence for home visits.

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a palliative care assistant, you could:

  • support the emotional wellbeing of patients, their families and carers
  • make sure patients are as comfortable as possible
  • help with washing, dressing and personal care
  • do daily tasks like changing dressings or giving medication
  • help patients to move around and be active, where appropriate
  • monitor patients' conditions and report concerns or issues to senior staff
  • work closely with nurses and other health professionals
  • keep accurate patient records

Working environment

You could work at a hospice, at an adult care home, at a client's home or in an NHS or private hospital.

Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.

You may need to wear a uniform.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become a senior care worker.

You could take extra training to move into other healthcare support roles, like:

You could also train as a health professional, for example:

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Health and Social Care Foundation Apprentice

  • Wage: £19,240 a year Annually
  • Location: OL10 4SY

Health and Social Care Foundation Apprentice

  • Wage: £19,240 a year Annually
  • Location: OL15 0BW
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Diploma in Healthcare Support

  • Provider: HEART OF YORKSHIRE EDUCATION GROUP
  • Start date: Flexible
  • Location: Castleford

Diploma in Healthcare Support (RQF)

  • Provider: TEND TRAINING LTD
  • Start date: Flexible
  • Location: Not known
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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Skills assessment

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