Are you struggling to land interviews for health assistant positions despite your dedication to patient care and healthcare support? You’re not alone. Many compassionate health assistants find themselves overlooked simply because their resume doesn’t effectively showcase their ability to provide essential patient support, manage clinical administrative tasks, and maintain high standards of care that Australian healthcare providers, aged care facilities, and medical practices desperately need.
Whether you’re a recent graduate from a health services program, transitioning from another healthcare role, or re-entering the workforce after gaining additional qualifications, crafting a compelling health assistant resume is your gateway to securing interviews with leading hospitals, community health centres, and private practices across Australia. This comprehensive guide will walk you through creating a professional resume that highlights your patient care abilities, clinical support skills, and healthcare administration expertise – all tailored specifically for the Australian healthcare system.
From understanding the preferred resume formats used by Australian healthcare employers to showcasing your experience with patient interaction, clinical procedures, and healthcare documentation, we’ll cover everything you need to know. You’ll discover how to present your healthcare experience, highlight relevant qualifications, and create a professional summary that immediately captures the attention of nursing unit managers and healthcare administrators looking for their next health assistant.
Health Assistant Resume (Text Version)
Maria Santos
Health Assistant
Phone: 0467 890 123
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mariasantos-healthassistant
Address: Perth, Western Australia 6000
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Compassionate Health Assistant with 5+ years of experience providing comprehensive patient care and clinical support across acute care, aged care, and community health settings. Expert in patient assessment, medication administration, and healthcare documentation with proven track record of maintaining 98% patient satisfaction scores while ensuring compliance with Australian healthcare standards. Skilled in wound care, vital signs monitoring, and infection control with comprehensive understanding of NDIS requirements and aged care regulations. Passionate about delivering person-centred care that promotes dignity, independence, and optimal health outcomes for diverse patient populations.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Senior Health Assistant | Royal Perth Hospital | March 2021 – Present
• Provide direct patient care to 25+ patients daily across medical and surgical wards, including personal care, mobility assistance, and comfort measures
• Administer medications and monitor vital signs under registered nurse supervision, maintaining accurate documentation in electronic health records
• Implement infection prevention and control protocols achieving zero healthcare-associated infections in designated care areas over 18-month period
• Assist with clinical procedures including wound care, catheter management, and post-operative care, ensuring patient safety and comfort
• Mentor and train 8 junior health assistants and student nurses in best practice patient care techniques and hospital procedures
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary healthcare teams including doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, and social workers to optimize patient outcomes
Health Assistant | Sunset Aged Care Facility | June 2019 – February 2021
• Delivered comprehensive personal care services to 40+ elderly residents, including assistance with activities of daily living and mobility support
• Monitored resident health status and reported changes to nursing staff, contributing to early intervention and improved health outcomes
• Maintained detailed care documentation and progress notes in compliance with aged care standards and NDIS requirements
• Implemented person-centred care plans focusing on individual preferences, cultural needs, and dignity preservation
• Coordinated recreational activities and social engagement programs, improving resident quality of life and reducing isolation
• Achieved recognition for excellence in dementia care through specialized training and compassionate approach
Community Health Assistant | Midland Community Health Centre | January 2018 – May 2019
• Supported community health nurses with home visits and clinic-based services for patients with chronic conditions
• Conducted health screenings including blood pressure monitoring, weight measurement, and basic health assessments
• Provided health education and lifestyle counseling to patients and families on medication compliance, nutrition, and disease management
• Assisted with administrative tasks including appointment scheduling, patient records management, and resource coordination
• Maintained cultural competency when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and CALD populations
EDUCATION
Certificate IV in Health Services Assistance | North Metropolitan TAFE | 2017
Relevant units: Provide support to people living with dementia, Work with diverse people, Assist clients with medication, Provide first aid, Maintain infection prevention
Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) | Challenger Institute | 2016
Relevant units: Provide individualised support, Facilitate independence and wellbeing, Support independence and wellbeing, Work legally and ethically
PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION & CERTIFICATIONS
• Working with Children Check (Current)
• National Police Clearance (Current)
• CPR and First Aid Certification – Australian Red Cross (Current)
• Manual Handling Training Certification (Current)
• Infection Control Training Certificate (2023)
• Dementia Care Specialist Certification – Dementia Australia (2022)
KEY COMPETENCIES
• Patient care and personal assistance
• Medication administration and monitoring
• Vital signs assessment and documentation
• Infection prevention and control
• Wound care and clinical procedures
• Healthcare documentation and record keeping
• Cultural competency and person-centred care
CARE SPECIALISATIONS
• Acute Care: Post-operative support, medication management, mobility assistance
• Aged Care: Dementia care, end-of-life support, activities of daily living assistance
• Community Health: Chronic disease support, health education, family engagement
• Mental Health: Therapeutic communication, crisis support, wellness promotion
PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS
• Employee of the Month Award – Royal Perth Hospital (3 consecutive months, 2023)
• Zero medication errors across 2,000+ medication administrations over 24-month period
• Successfully completed advanced dementia care training, improving care quality scores by 25%
• Led improvement initiative reducing patient falls by 40% through enhanced mobility support protocols
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
• Volunteer Health Support Worker, St John Ambulance Community Programs (2020 – Present)
• Peer Support Volunteer, Cancer Council WA Patient Support Services (2019 – 2021)
• Community Health Educator, Local Indigenous Health Initiative (2018 – 2020)
What is The Best Format for a Health Assistant Resume?
For health assistant positions in Australia, the reverse chronological format is strongly recommended as it clearly demonstrates your healthcare career progression and increasing responsibility in patient care roles. This format allows hiring managers to quickly assess your most recent clinical experience and understand how your skills with different patient populations, healthcare settings, and clinical procedures have evolved, which is crucial in healthcare where current competency and hands-on experience are essential for patient safety and quality care.
Font and Typography Guidelines:
• Heading Font: Use 18-22pt for your name and 14-16pt for section headings
• Body Font: Stick to 10-12pt for all body text to ensure readability
• Font Style: Professional fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman convey reliability and attention to detail essential in healthcare
• Margins: Maintain 1-inch margins on all sides to provide adequate white space
• File Type: Always submit as PDF unless specifically requested otherwise, as this preserves formatting across different systems
Essential Resume Sections:
Header: Include your full name, phone number, professional email address, LinkedIn profile, and city/state. As a healthcare professional, ensure your contact information projects professionalism and reliability.
Summary: Provide a compelling 3-4 line overview highlighting your healthcare experience, patient care expertise, clinical competencies, and commitment to quality care. This section should immediately establish your credibility as a healthcare professional.
Experience: List your work history in reverse chronological order, emphasising patient care responsibilities, clinical tasks performed, quality outcomes achieved, and professional development contributions.
Education: Include your health services qualifications, particularly Certificate III or IV level training, and any ongoing professional development in healthcare practices.
Other Sections: Consider adding professional certifications, care specialisations, volunteer healthcare experience, and relevant training that supports your clinical competency and commitment to healthcare excellence.
What Experience Should Be on Your Health Assistant Resume?
Your experience section should emphasise your ability to provide safe, compassionate, and effective patient care while working collaboratively within healthcare teams. Focus on quantifiable achievements that demonstrate your impact on patient outcomes, care quality, and safety standards. Australian healthcare employers value experience with diverse patient populations, understanding of local healthcare regulations, and ability to work within Australia’s integrated healthcare system including public hospitals, aged care facilities, and community health services.
Highlight specific patient care responsibilities, clinical procedures performed, healthcare settings worked in, and any experience with Australian healthcare standards and regulatory requirements. Include metrics around patient satisfaction, safety outcomes, care quality improvements, and professional development that showcase your effectiveness as a healthcare professional.
Correct Example:
Health Assistant | Melbourne General Hospital | April 2020 – Present
• Provide direct patient care to 30+ patients daily across cardiology and respiratory wards, including personal hygiene assistance, mobility support, and comfort care
• Monitor and document vital signs, fluid balance, and patient observations using electronic health record systems, ensuring accurate clinical handover between shifts
• Implement evidence-based infection control protocols achieving 99% compliance with hand hygiene standards and zero healthcare-associated infections
• Assist registered nurses with wound care, medication administration, and clinical procedures while maintaining patient dignity and privacy
• Support patient education initiatives and discharge planning, contributing to 95% patient satisfaction scores and reduced readmission rates
• Collaborate with allied health professionals to implement care plans and therapeutic interventions for complex patient presentations
Incorrect Example:
Health Assistant | Hospital | 2020 – Present
• Helped patients
• Took vital signs
• Worked with nurses
• Kept things clean
• Did paperwork
Entry-Level Health Assistant Resume Samples [Experience]
For entry-level positions, focus on relevant education, clinical placements, volunteer healthcare experience, and transferable care skills from other roles. Emphasise your commitment to patient care, learning attitude, and foundational healthcare knowledge.
Correct Example:
Graduate Health Assistant | Brisbane Community Health | January 2024 – Present
• Provide comprehensive patient support services under registered nurse supervision, assisting with personal care and clinical observations for diverse patient populations
• Document patient interactions and health status changes accurately in clinical information systems, ensuring continuity of care and regulatory compliance
• Apply infection prevention and control knowledge gained during Certificate IV training, maintaining safe clinical environment and protecting vulnerable patients
• Assist with health education programs and community outreach initiatives, supporting preventive health goals and patient wellness
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings and professional development activities to enhance clinical knowledge and care delivery skills
• Demonstrate cultural competency when caring for Indigenous and CALD patients, respecting diverse cultural practices and communication preferences
Incorrect Example:
New Health Assistant | Clinic | 2024
• Just started working in healthcare
• Still learning patient care
• Work with experienced staff
• Help where needed
• Hope to develop skills
How to Write the Education Section for your Health Assistant Resume
The education section is crucial for health assistants, as formal qualifications are typically mandatory for healthcare roles and demonstrate your competency to provide safe patient care. In Australia, health assistant roles generally require Certificate III or IV in relevant health services, aged care, or disability support, with additional specialized training often valued by employers.
Include your health services qualifications, institution name, completion date, and relevant units of competency that apply to health assistant practice. If you’ve completed additional certifications in specialized areas like dementia care, mental health support, or disability services, highlight these to show your comprehensive preparation. Australian healthcare employers highly value ongoing professional development and compliance with regulatory training requirements.
Health Assistant Resume Example [Education]
Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance | TAFE NSW | 2022
Relevant units: Work in a person-centred way, Maintain infection prevention for a health service, Assist with nursing care, Support independence and wellbeing, Communicate and work in health or community services
Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing, Home and Community) | Sydney Institute | 2021
Relevant units: Provide individualised support, Facilitate independence and wellbeing, Support independence and wellbeing, Work with diverse people, Work legally and ethically
Continuing Professional Development:
• Advanced Wound Care Management Course – Wound Management Association Australia (2023)
• Palliative Care Support Training – Palliative Care Australia (2023)
• Mental Health First Aid Training – Mental Health First Aid Australia (2022)
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Competency Training (2022)
How to Write the Skills Section for your Health Assistant Resume
The skills section of your health assistant resume should strategically balance clinical competencies with interpersonal and administrative abilities that Australian healthcare employers prioritise. Aim for 12-16 carefully selected skills that demonstrate your comprehensive capability as a health assistant who can provide safe, effective patient care while maintaining professional standards and contributing to positive healthcare outcomes. Focus on skills that reflect current healthcare standards and practices used in Australian healthcare settings.
This section should complement your experience by highlighting specific clinical techniques, communication abilities, and administrative competencies that contribute to successful patient care delivery and healthcare team effectiveness.
Health Assistant Resume Skills (Hard Skills)
• Patient care and personal assistance
• Vital signs monitoring and documentation
• Medication administration and monitoring (under supervision)
• Wound care and dressing changes
• Infection prevention and control protocols
• Manual handling and mobility assistance
• Clinical documentation and record keeping
• Basic life support and emergency response
• Health screening and assessment
• Equipment cleaning and maintenance
• Electronic health record systems navigation
• Specimen collection and pathology support
Health Assistant Resume Skills (Soft Skills)
• Compassionate patient interaction and empathetic communication
• Cultural competency and inclusive care delivery
• Active listening and therapeutic communication
• Attention to detail in clinical observation and documentation
• Time management and priority setting in healthcare environments
• Team collaboration and interprofessional communication
• Adaptability to changing patient needs and clinical situations
• Professional boundaries and ethical healthcare practice
• Stress management and resilience in demanding healthcare settings
• Patient advocacy and rights protection
• Continuous learning and professional development mindset
• Crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques
How to pick the best Health Assistant skills:
1. Analyse the job description thoroughly and identify specific clinical skills, patient populations, and healthcare settings mentioned by the employer.
2. Match your skills to healthcare setting – acute care hospitals value clinical monitoring skills, while aged care emphasises personal care and dementia support capabilities.
3. Emphasise current healthcare practices such as person-centred care approaches, digital documentation systems, and contemporary infection control standards used across Australian healthcare.
4. Include both technical and interpersonal competencies that demonstrate your ability to provide skilled clinical support while maintaining compassionate patient relationships.
5. Highlight compliance and safety skills that show your understanding of Australian healthcare regulations, patient safety standards, and professional practice requirements.
Health Assistant Resume Examples [Skills]
Clinical Skills:
• Patient assessment – Conducted 500+ vital sign assessments with 99.5% accuracy, contributing to early detection of clinical deterioration
• Infection control – Implemented strict hygiene protocols achieving zero healthcare-associated infections across 18-month period
• Medication support – Assisted with medication administration for 200+ patients with zero medication errors under nursing supervision
Communication Skills:
• Patient advocacy – Successfully advocated for culturally appropriate care modifications resulting in improved patient comfort and satisfaction
• Family engagement – Facilitated communication between healthcare teams and families, achieving 96% satisfaction scores for communication quality
Professional Skills:
• Documentation accuracy – Maintained comprehensive patient records with 100% compliance during regulatory audits and accreditation reviews
• Team collaboration – Contributed to multidisciplinary care planning resulting in 20% reduction in average length of stay for complex patients
Should I Add Bonus Sections to My Health Assistant Resume?
Additional sections can significantly enhance your health assistant resume by demonstrating specialized expertise, professional commitment, and well-rounded qualifications that distinguish you from other candidates. These sections are particularly valuable in the Australian healthcare sector, where continuous professional development, specialized training, and community service are highly regarded by employers.
Professional Certifications: CPR, first aid, infection control, and specialized care certifications demonstrate your commitment to maintaining current clinical competencies and patient safety standards.
Care Specializations: Expertise in specific areas like dementia care, palliative care, mental health support, or disability services shows your depth of knowledge and ability to work with specialized populations.
Volunteer Experience: Healthcare-related volunteer work demonstrates your commitment to community service and provides additional evidence of your care experience and dedication to helping others.
Professional Development: Ongoing training, workshops, and conferences show your dedication to staying current with healthcare best practices and advancing your professional knowledge.
Languages: Multilingual capabilities are highly valuable in Australia’s diverse healthcare settings and can significantly expand your ability to provide culturally appropriate care.
Awards and Recognition: Employee recognition, patient satisfaction awards, or safety achievements provide concrete evidence of your professional excellence and commitment to quality care.
Health Assistant Resume Examples [Other Sections]
Correct Example:
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS
• CPR and First Aid Certification – Australian Red Cross (Current)
• Working with Children Check – WA Department of Communities (Current)
• Manual Handling Training Certification (Current)
• Infection Prevention and Control Certificate – Australian College of Infection Prevention (2023)
• Dementia Care Essentials Certificate – Dementia Australia (2022)
CARE SPECIALIZATIONS
• Aged Care: Dementia support, end-of-life care, activities of daily living assistance
• Acute Care: Post-operative recovery support, chronic disease management, discharge planning
• Community Health: Health promotion, preventive care education, family support services
• Mental Health: Therapeutic communication, crisis support, recovery-oriented practice
LANGUAGES
• English (Native)
• Mandarin (Fluent)
• Filipino (Conversational)
• Basic Sign Language (AUSLAN Level 1)
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
• Patient Support Volunteer, Royal Perth Hospital Oncology Unit (2021 – Present)
• Community Health Educator, Diabetes WA Prevention Programs (2020 – 2022)
• Meals on Wheels Volunteer, Local Community Services (2019 – Present)
Incorrect Example:
OTHER QUALIFICATIONS
• Have first aid certificate
• Good at different types of care
• Do volunteer work
• Speak other languages
• Won some awards
• Live in Perth
Tip: Include relevant interests that demonstrate qualities valuable to healthcare, such as community service activities that show compassion and dedication, fitness pursuits that reflect understanding of health and wellness, or learning activities that demonstrate your commitment to continuous improvement.
How to write a Health Assistant Resume Objective or Resume Summary
Your professional summary is crucial for health assistants as it must immediately establish your commitment to patient care, clinical competency, and dedication to maintaining high healthcare standards. This 3-4 line section should highlight your healthcare experience, patient care achievements, clinical skills, and the unique value you bring to supporting patient wellbeing and healthcare team effectiveness within clinical environments.
For experienced health assistants, focus on quantifiable patient care outcomes, clinical competencies developed, specialized populations served, and recognition received for care quality. Recent graduates should emphasise their formal healthcare education, clinical placement experience, foundational care skills, and genuine passion for supporting patient health and dignity. Always tailor your summary to reflect the specific healthcare setting and patient populations mentioned in the job advertisement.
Key elements to include:
• Years of healthcare experience and settings worked in
• Specific clinical competencies and patient care achievements
• Patient safety record and quality care outcomes
• Specialized populations or care areas
• Commitment to person-centred care and professional healthcare standards
Health Assistant Resume Summary Examples
Correct Example:
Dedicated Health Assistant with 6+ years of comprehensive patient care experience across acute hospital, aged care, and community health settings. Expert in clinical monitoring, medication support, and infection control protocols, with proven track record of achieving 97% patient satisfaction scores while maintaining zero safety incidents over 3-year period. Specialized in dementia care and palliative support with advanced certifications in wound management and mental health first aid. Passionate about delivering person-centred care that promotes dignity, independence, and optimal health outcomes for vulnerable populations while supporting healthcare teams in achieving excellence.
Incorrect Example:
Health assistant with experience caring for patients in different settings. I have training in healthcare and I’m good at helping people. I want to work for an organisation that values patient care and provides opportunities for professional development.
For entry-level candidates, focus on your healthcare education, clinical placement experience, foundational care competencies, and genuine enthusiasm for supporting patient wellbeing and contributing to healthcare excellence.
Entry-Level Health Assistant Resume Summary Examples
Correct Example:
Recently qualified Health Assistant with Certificate IV in Health Services Assistance and 400+ hours of supervised clinical placement experience across aged care and acute hospital settings. Strong foundation in patient care principles, infection control protocols, and therapeutic communication, demonstrated through successful completion of competency assessments and positive patient feedback. Committed to evidence-based practice and continuous learning, with additional certifications in first aid and dementia care. Eager to contribute compassionate, professional care while developing expertise in supporting diverse patient populations and healthcare team objectives.
Incorrect Example:
New health assistant graduate who wants to help patients and work in healthcare. I studied healthcare assistance and did some placement work. I think I would be good at this job because I care about people and I want to make a difference.
How to Update Your LinkedIn Profile When Updating Your Health Assistant Resume
Maintaining alignment between your resume and LinkedIn profile is valuable in the Australian healthcare sector, where professional networks, continuing education, and demonstration of care commitment significantly influence career opportunities and professional development. Your LinkedIn profile should complement your resume while leveraging the platform’s unique features to showcase your healthcare expertise, professional development journey, and engagement with healthcare improvement and patient advocacy.
Unlike your resume, LinkedIn allows for expanded discussion of your healthcare philosophy, patient care approach, and engagement with healthcare improvement initiatives that demonstrates your ongoing professional commitment. This is particularly valuable for health assistants, as the healthcare field values both clinical competency and dedication to advancing patient care quality and safety.
LinkedIn Headline Optimisation for Health Assistants
Your LinkedIn headline should immediately communicate your healthcare expertise and care focus, appealing to healthcare employers, nursing managers, and professional networks who may view your profile.
Effective Headlines:
• “Health Assistant | 5+ Years Patient Care Excellence | Acute Care & Aged Care Specialist | Perth”
• “Certified Health Assistant | Dementia Care Expert | Person-Centred Care Advocate | Quality & Safety Focus”
• “Healthcare Support Professional | Clinical Excellence | Infection Control Specialist | Compassionate Patient Care”
Ineffective Headlines:
• “Health Assistant”
• “Healthcare Worker”
• “Patient Care Provider”
LinkedIn Summary vs Resume Summary: Key Differences
While your resume summary focuses on measurable care outcomes and clinical competencies, your LinkedIn summary can elaborate on your healthcare philosophy, approach to patient care, and vision for contributing to healthcare excellence. This narrative approach resonates well in the healthcare community, where values alignment and commitment to care quality are important factors in employment decisions.
Your LinkedIn summary should expand on what motivates your healthcare work, highlight meaningful patient care experiences you’ve contributed to (maintaining appropriate confidentiality), and demonstrate your understanding of current healthcare challenges and quality improvement opportunities. Include keywords that Australian healthcare employers commonly search for, while maintaining a professional voice that reflects your commitment to patient advocacy and care excellence.
Showcasing Health Assistant Experience on LinkedIn
LinkedIn’s format allows you to provide detailed context about your healthcare roles, professional development journey, and contributions to patient care quality that bring your expertise to life. Use this expanded space to describe healthcare challenges you’ve helped address, quality improvement initiatives you’ve participated in, and the positive impact your care has had on patient outcomes.
Consider sharing insights about healthcare best practices, patient care innovations, or professional development experiences that demonstrate your thought leadership and ongoing engagement with healthcare excellence. These posts help differentiate your profile and provide evidence of your commitment to advancing healthcare quality and patient advocacy.
LinkedIn Skills and Endorsements for Health Assistants
Select 15-20 skills that represent the full spectrum of health assistant competencies, balancing clinical expertise with interpersonal and professional capabilities. Prioritise skills frequently mentioned in Australian healthcare job postings, such as “Patient Care,” “Clinical Support,” “Infection Control,” “Healthcare Documentation,” and specific care specializations.
Actively seek endorsements from healthcare colleagues, nursing supervisors, and professional contacts within the healthcare community. These endorsements serve as professional testimonials and are particularly valuable in healthcare where clinical competency and professional integrity are fundamental to patient safety and care quality.
LinkedIn Profile Tips for Australian Health Assistants
Network Strategically: Connect with other health assistants, registered nurses, healthcare managers, and allied health professionals across Australia. Join LinkedIn groups such as “Australian Healthcare Professionals,” “Health Assistant Network,” or healthcare quality improvement communities.
Share Healthcare Insights: Regularly post about patient care excellence, professional development experiences, or healthcare quality initiatives that demonstrate your ongoing engagement with healthcare improvement and patient advocacy.
Highlight Local Healthcare Knowledge: Include understanding of Australian healthcare systems, regulatory standards, quality frameworks, and cultural competency requirements. This local expertise is particularly valuable to employers seeking health assistants who understand the domestic healthcare environment and compliance requirements.
Your LinkedIn profile serves as a dynamic showcase of your health assistant expertise and professional commitment, allowing you to build relationships within Australia’s healthcare community while demonstrating your effectiveness in supporting patient care excellence and healthcare team objectives.
Creating an exceptional health assistant resume requires careful emphasis on your patient care capabilities, clinical competencies, and commitment to healthcare excellence. By following these guidelines and tailoring your content to highlight your care expertise, professional development, and patient advocacy, you’ll be well-positioned to secure interviews with leading healthcare providers, aged care facilities, and community health services across Australia.
Remember to complement your strong resume with an equally compelling cover letter that demonstrates your understanding of the specific organisation’s patient population, care philosophy, and quality improvement goals. For additional guidance on crafting the perfect application package, explore our related resources on health assistant cover letters and analysis of current healthcare job advertisements to ensure your application materials work together effectively to showcase your qualifications and enthusiasm for advancing your health assistant career.
