How Do I Become an Assistant Practitioner?

An assistant practitioner in the medical field has an opportunity to work alongside physicians and nurses without having to achieve the same level of education and training. Certain degrees and certifications are still necessary to become an assistant practitioner, however. Also, the more experience you gain working in the health care field even prior to being certified, the better when it comes to finding employment. Volunteer work in a hospital can also work to your advantage.

As an assistant practitioner, you are going to support key health care staff in a medical facility, such as nurses or doctors. You will also interact with patients and family members. Communication skills are important to become an assistant practitioner, and this is something that can be natural or can be learned.

The degree of education and training required to become an assistant practitioner will vary depending on the precise role you want to fill. A certification known as the NVQ series may be required to become an assistant practitioner in a region, including the U.K. It is possible that you will need to earn a diploma or degree that is related to the practice you want to be part of. Certain areas of study that would be appropriate include science, health care, and social work.

Very possibly, you will need to drive to the place of employment, and so a driver's license will be needed. Consider working as an assistant in the health care industry as you are training to become a formal practitioner. On-the-job-training is sometimes the best education you can receive before launching a career.

It would be helpful to decide the type of setting you prefer to work in on the road to become an assistant practitioner. You can work in a clinical setting, a hospital, or in someone's residence. In a hospital, you can pursue employment in the emergency room or decide to work on an elderly or infant wing, for instance.

Some other possibilities include working as an assistant to an occupational therapist, a diabetes group, or in a mental health facility. The role of an assistant practitioner is extremely hands-on, and you may be called upon to help other medical staff to determine when a patient is having a serious condition, such as a stroke. Prepare yourself to work long shifts as this is the expectation in the medical field. Health care professionals are available to public at all hours, and although you can have a say in the type of shift, it will help to determine ahead of time the day part that best suits your temperament.