Become an Auxiliary Nurse in the UK: Training & Career Guide

Auxiliary nurses, also known as health care assistants work in the UK as unqualified support workers for nurses and other qualified health care professionals.

Entry

• There are no entry requirements for employment in the UK as an auxiliary nurse. Training courses are available at private colleges and training centers, with voluntary experience often used to gain employment.

Training

• Training courses for health care assistants include subjects such as health and oral care, communication skills and risk assessments. Auxiliary nurses often train in the UK's Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) at Level 2 or 3 in health care support services and clinical health care support. Training is completed in about 18 months and is funded through employer contributions, according to the City College Norwich.

Duties

• Auxiliary nurses work under the guidance of qualified professionals performing tasks including washing and dressing patients, feeding and making patients comfortable. Auxiliary nurses are also responsible for monitoring a patients vital signs through recording temperatures and pulse rates.