OPPORTUNITIES for finding work as a health care assistant (HCA) in the south east are on the increase since the recent restructuring of Queen Mary's Sidcup NHS Trust.

Director of nursing for the trust, Sarah Dawson, says more HCAs will be taken on in the coming months since the organisation released a number of postponed vacancies following the reshuffle.

The new roles at Queen Mary's are a result of its Fit For the Future project which aims to ensure the trust remains efficient and successful for a long time to come.

Candidates will preferably have some experience in care, perhaps at a nursing or residential home, and a full training programme is offered.

HCA training covers the practical side of care, such as taking blood pressure, feeding and washing patients, alongside theory-based training covering anatomy and physiology.

Sarah feels there are great opportunities to progress further in a medical career and she speaks from personal experience.

She started as a nursing auxiliary - the equivalent of a HCA when her career began.

Staff are always encouraged and supported to improve by taking an NVQ level 3 - a step towards becoming a qualified nurse.

Sarah said: "HCAs are an essential part of the team and they are there to ensure patients get excellent care."

For more information, visit jobs.nhs.uk