COURSE DESCRIPTION

In Kenya, training of health care support assistants became a government program with its curriculum and assessment undertaken by TVET/CDACC. It was created to provide regulated labor to the health care facilities who were in need of assistant services in the wards, labs, mortuary, theatre, ICU, laundry, Stores, Hospital Kitchen etc. It falls among the professions regulated by Kenya Health Professional Oversight Authority which works together with
HealthCare Support Assistants in Kenya. Graduates of HAS are licensed by KHPOA in Kenya and can take up job opportunities in Kenya and abroad. They play a vital role in supporting healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses, therapists in providing high quality care to patients.

FUNCTIONS

• Assisting with:
  Activities of daily living, bathing, grooming, feeding, toileting, moving.
• Taking vital signs including blood pressure, pulse, temperature
• Maintaining a clean environment encompassing changing soiled sheets, clean up spills, reduce the spread of germs
• Communication with the health care team and hospital members
• Provide companionship and friendship to the patients
• Administer oral and topical medications
• Provide special care to the elderly and infants
• Wound care
• Basic diagnostic support: assisting with simple medical procedures such as taking blood samples, applying oxygen or helping with basic diagnostic equipment
• Assisting with administrative duties such as filing and clerical work, patient record keeping, scheduling appointments,

PLACES OF EMPLOYMENT

• Can be employed in all levels of health care facilities offering both inpatient and outpatient services, hospice, community based healthcare, specialist hospitals/clinics and home based care.
• Performance, experience, and the acquisition of professional qualifications drive career progression. Employees with consistently high levels of performance may be eligible for promotion.

CAREER PROGRESSION

Certificate in health service support, diploma in health service support.