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Healthcare assistant (HCA) CV example

A healthcare employer wants someone who cares safely and kindly: personal care, moving and handling, observations and support for the nursing team. This example shows how to say it clearly.

Template: Modern · Fictional example: names, companies and details are made up to illustrate the format.

Tips for this CV

  1. 1List the type of setting (hospital, care home, home care) and the number of patients per shift: it shows the scale of your work.
  2. 2Describe what you do and who you assist: separate your care tasks from the nurses' duties.
  3. 3Include the Care Certificate, basic life support, moving and handling and any dementia or older-people training, which many employers score.
  4. 4State your shift availability (days, evenings, nights, weekends) and any pre-employment checks, such as a current DBS, that you hold.

What recruiters look for in a Healthcare Assistant (HCA) CV

  • The Care Certificate or a Level 2 or 3 care diploma, and the type of setting: hospital ward, care home, home care or clinic.
  • Care you handle (personal care, moving and handling, observations, feeding) and the dependency level of the people you care for.
  • Availability for day, evening and night shifts, basic life support in date and, for NHS trusts, a verifiable employment history.

Common mistakes on a Healthcare Assistant (HCA) CV

  • Mixing nurses' tasks with HCA tasks: describe what you do and whom you assist.
  • Not stating the type of setting or the number of patients per shift.
  • Forgetting basic life support, moving and handling or dementia courses and any DBS or employment gaps.

Healthcare Assistant (HCA) interview questions (and how to answer them)

The questions that come up most in interviews for this role, and what the interviewer is really checking.

  1. 1

    How do you handle a patient who refuses a wash or a meal?

    They look at patience and respect. Explain that you ask why, offer alternatives, respect their pace without forcing anything and tell the nurse if the refusal repeats or affects their health.

  2. 2

    What do you do if you notice a change in a patient's condition?

    They measure judgment. Say you do not wait: you tell the nurse right away what you observed (colour, breathing, pain, confusion) and record it.

  3. 3

    How do you protect patients' privacy and dignity during care?

    They look for respect. Talk about closing doors and curtains, explaining each step, covering what is not being cared for and always treating the patient as an adult.

  4. 4

    How do you work with nurses and the rest of the team?

    They want to see communication. Explain that you give a clear shift report, ask for help with heavy moving and handling and respect the division of duties.

  5. 5

    How do you handle night shifts and the emotional load of the job?

    They test your resilience. Answer with concrete habits: rest, organisation and talking to the team when a case affects you, without it changing how you treat patients.

  6. 6

    Tell me about yourself and your HCA experience.

    Summarise years, type of facility and the care you handle. For example: "I have six years as a HCA on a hospital ward and in a care home, with 12 to 14 patients a shift, moving and handling and observations."

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Frequently asked questions

What qualification do I need for a healthcare assistant CV?

Most employers ask for the Care Certificate or a Level 2 or 3 care diploma, plus basic life support and moving and handling. Add dementia or older-people training and any placement experience.

How do I write an HCA CV if I have just finished training?

Highlight your placements with the type of care and the setting, and the skills you practised. Add availability, a caring attitude and extra courses.

What should I include if I am applying to an NHS trust?

Present training and experience clearly with exact dates, and have your certificates ready. NHS trusts check your employment history, references and DBS before you start.

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