Certificate in Patient Attendant (Health Care Assistant)

Patient Attendant Qualifications

A certificate in health care assistant, also referred to as a caregiver, patient attendant, or nurse aide course in Kenya is designed to equip the student with competencies required to work with a wide range of patients and persons who require assistance with daily living activities or medical care. This includes elderly care, palliative care, dementia, disability care and support, etc. They may provide care in various settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and private homes.

Patient attendants work with various kinds of patients and persons, including:

• Older adults: Patient attendants often work with older adults who need assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, toileting, and eating. They may also provide companionship and help with medication management.
• People with disabilities: Patient attendants work with people with a variety of disabilities, including physical, intellectual, and developmental disabilities. They may provide assistance with mobility, communication, and personal care. For instance, working with children with disabilities to provide assistance with even their educational needs.
• People with chronic illnesses: Patient attendants help people with chronic illnesses manage their conditions and maintain their independence. They may provide assistance with medication administration, wound care, and symptom management.
• People with mental health conditions: Patient attendants work with people with mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety. They may provide support and encouragement, help with medication management, and monitor for signs of worsening symptoms.
• Terminally ill patients: Patient attendants provide palliative care to terminally ill patients, focusing on comfort and quality of life. They may provide assistance with pain management, personal care, and emotional support.

Skill set for a Health Care Aide

On successful completion of the course, the patient attendant (health care assistant) will be skilled in:

• Assisting clients/patients in their homes, community, or clinic setting.
• Preventing nosocomial infections
• Providing patient care services to the patients
• Ensuring patient safety
• Taking vital signs and maintaining its records in the medical chart
• Communicating the patient’s needs to effective channels
• Feeding the patient and ensuring that their dietary needs are met
• Assisting patients to use medical devices and equipment as required
• Assisting the elderly to function normally
• Providing support to patients who need assistance for walking or standing
• Assisting in the transportation of the patient.
• Helping with daily life chores like bathing and dressing
• Overseeing the administration of medication
• Changing the position of the patient to prevent bedsores

Patient Attendant Requirements in Kenya

An individual entering this course should have any of the following minimum requirements:

a. Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) Certificate (D- and above)

Or

b. Equivalent qualifications as determined by Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA)

Health Care Assistant Training in Kenya – Duration

The duration of patient attendant course is 6 (six) months plus attachment:

• First trimester coursework + Free Computer classes and First Aid training
• Second trimester coursework + Clinical Rotations
• Mandatory Industrial Attachment (2 months)

One trimester goes for 3 months. 

Industrial Attachment

You must undergo an industrial attachment for a period of 2-3 months in a recognized hospital. (We help our students get placement in our partner Level IV mission and sub-county hospitals.) 

Examinations

There will be:

• Continuous internal assessments coordinated by BCTI
• Competence assessment at completion of course coordinated by BCTI

Optional TVET-CDACC Examination

Students planning to get a practicing license as Healthcare Support Assistants (HSA) will have to sit for the TVET-CDACC Examination for Health System Support Services (HSS as follows):

• D- (D minus) students will sit for HSS Level IV examination 
• D plain students will sit for HSS Level V examination. 

PLEASE NOTE:

1. You may need to take additional units to sit for all HSS examinations. 
2. Only HSS Level V students (D plain) can be licensed as HSAs. However, students with D-, who have passed the HSS Level IV exam can proceed to sit for the level V TVET exam to qualify. 
3. TVET Exams come at an additional cost of between KShs 1,000 and 1,500 per paper. The actual cost will be communicated by the examining body when they open candidate registration. 
4. Becoming licensed as a Healthcare Support Assistant may involve certain costs, including an initial 10k for registration with KHPOA (Kenya Health Professionals Oversight Authority), and an annual fee to renew your license. 

Certification

If successfully completed, the candidate will be awarded a certificate by Beta Care Training Institute.

Upon passing TVET- CDACC Exam, you will also be awarded a TVET certificate. 

Graduation

After successful completion of your coursework and attachment, you will be awarded with a certificate on graduation.

Career guidance and job placement assistance 

We understand that launching a career in healthcare can be exciting, but also come with questions. That’s why we offer career guidance and job placement assistance – locally and abroad – to empower our patient attendant (healthcare assistant) students every step of the way:

Career Guidance:

• Explore your career options: identify your strengths and interests, and set achievable goals.
• Resume and cover letter design: Learn how to craft compelling application materials that showcase your skills and experience to potential employers.
• Interview preparation: Gain confidence and practice your communication skills through mock interviews and feedback sessions.

Job Placement Assistance:

• Access to job networks featuring healthcare assistant positions
• Gain valuable hands-on experience through internship placements at healthcare facilities
• Link you to job agents sending patient attendants to Gulf, Japan, Australia, US…

With our guidance and support, you’ll be well-prepared to impress employers and stand out from the competition.

Patient Attendant course fees in Kenya

Our health care aide program has two trimesters (one trimester goes for 3 months) of coursework. The tuition fee for each trimester is 25,000. Other costs may apply, including:

• Registration fee (1,000 /- paid when sending your application)
  
• Insurance
• Medical
  
• Examination fee
• Attachment fee (paid before commencing attachment)
• Graduation fee (paid when clearing with the institution)

Food and Accommodation for boarders

9,000 per month

Our Intakes

March, May & September

Reporting Date for next Intake

May, 2024  Apply Now