Who are General Duty Assistants, and what do they do?
General Duty Assistants (GDAs) are healthcare professionals who ensure that immediate medical attention and timely assistance are provided to patients in hospitals, clinics, and old age homes. In hospitals and elsewhere, GDAs ensure that those under their care receive timely medication and assistance in daily routines and tasks that some will not be able to perform themselves. GDAs also help maintain a suitable environment for a patient’s recovery.
In a world where there is an increasing demand for skilled professionals to assist the elderly and unwell, the role of a GDA is irreplaceable and can be quite a fulfilling career option.
Eligibility Criteria
To successfully fulfill the roles and responsibilities of a General Duty Assistant (GDA), one needs to have a minimum qualification till Class 8. Good communication skills and patience are add-ons that will help an individual to go a long way.
Duties and Responsibilities of General Duty Assistants
A General Duty Assistant is one of the key players in ensuring that the day-to-day needs of patients are met promptly. Their main roles and responsibilities include:
- Assist in basic patient care like helping with delivering their daily medication
- Dressing and feeding patients, the elderly, or the disabled who are under their care
- Helping patients exercise and other physio requirements suggested by therapists
- GDA in hospitals assist patients in and out of bed or move around in their rooms
- Patient’s hygiene and cleanliness
- Any extra care that needs to be provided, including housekeeping, and helping maintain a safe environment for patients
How to become a General Duty Assistant?
If you want to pursue a healthcare career and aspire to become a General Duty Assistant, then you can join Tech Mahindra SMART Academy for Healthcare. These SMART Academies are an initiative of Tech Mahindra Foundation and are located in Delhi, Mohali, and Mumbai. Tech Mahindra SMART Academies are world-class healthcare institutes and the GDA course is accredited by the Healthcare Sector Skill Council (HSSC) and National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). The duration of the course is 6 months which includes on-the-job training/internship opportunities in various renowned hospitals and healthcare institutes. The SMART Academies’ GDA course details can enlighten the students and provide them with intensive training to work as certified nursing assistants in hospitals and home care scenarios.
How to be a Good General Duty Assistant?
To be a good General Duty Assistant, one needs to have a whole range of soft skills and patience. The Tech Mahindra SMART Academy for Healthcare GDA certification covers the end-to-end technical skills needed to become a General Duty Assistant, but here are the soft skills an applicant needs to have to be successful:
- Interpersonal skills
- Team player
- Service and result-oriented
- High level of patience and tolerance
- Communication skills
- Kindness and compassion
- Empathy
- Strong-will
- Mindful and practical
Work Environment and Working Hours
General Duty Assistants must be flexible to work in a wide range of healthcare institutes, such as:
- Hospitals
- Old Age Homes
- Patient’s Homes
- Community Care Centers
- Mental Health Institutes
The working hours would vary depending on the position the GDA applies to, but most healthcare sectors have a practice of following a standard shift schedule.
Placement and Salaries at SMART Academies
Along with the training, SMART Academies also offer placement assistance to students. Since the induction of our first SMART Academy for Healthcare, over 3100 students enrolled across the Academies to become skilled healthcare professionals and were placed at various renowned hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare centers. These Academies have maintained a placement rate of over 70%.
The highest and average salaries of our GDA students for FY 19-20 are INR. 17,500 and INR. 10,381, respectively, which is up by 18.64% as compared to the previous year FY 18-19. However, the salaries vary as per the location of the Academies. The highest and average salaries of our GDA students in Delhi in FY 19-20 was INR. 17,000 and INR. 11,820 while in Mohali, it was INR. 18,000 and INR. 8,941 and in Mumbai, it was INR. 15,000 and INR. 10,910 approx.
Career and Job Opportunities for GDAs
A General Duty Assistant (GDA) can grow in their respective fields of choice by accumulating experience, specializing in various courses such as physiotherapy or nursing, and looking for job opportunities in the domestic and international markets.
With an ever-increasing demand for skilled General Duty Assistants and opportunities opening up in multiple sectors, an experienced GDA can aspire to be a Nursing Supervisor or even a Head Nurse with the right profile.
Career path
After completing the course, students can take a competency exam to become certified General Duty Assistants. They can work in hospitals, nursing homes, patient homes, and community care centers.
Other names
GDA course students are also known as Nursing Care Assistants, Nursing Assistants, Nursing Aides, Bedside Assistants, or Orderlies.
FAQs
Why should a student aspire to become a GDA?
The GDA certification is the quickest and simplest way to gain entry into the dynamic healthcare sector. There is a high demand for certified healthcare professionals who are skilled and well-trained. That is why a GDA course that includes practical experience with core healthcare knowledge can offer a significant pathway toward a rewarding career.
Can further training for career advancement be possible after doing a GDA course?
As a certified, trained, and competent GDA or general duty assistant, you can make an impactful difference in the lives of patients. Our SMART Academy GDA course details can give you a better idea about the wondrous opportunities presented to students who wish to opt for further training and explore career advancement choices.
By starting a career as a general duty assistant and gaining a step higher as a nursing assistant, students can make headway and fit into many roles. They can elevate their career by training for supervisors, and floor supervisors, or even aspire to be managers in the long run.
Which students are most likely to opt for a GDA course?
Students opting for a GDA course are typically those wanting to enter the healthcare field and seeking primary skills in patient care. Students with minimum education (8th-grade qualification) can hope to gain a convenient entry into the enterprising world of the healthcare industry. Students looking for in-demand career options and genuinely like to care for sick people are most likely to enroll in a GDA course.
Why go with Tech Mahindra SMART Academy for a GDA course training?
Choosing Tech Mahindra SMART Academy means direct access to the best educational training, where both practical and theoretical learning is given equal importance. Our enhanced GDA program is supported by an effective curriculum, the finest facilities, and top-tier experienced faculty. Enrolling at SMART can set you on a winner’s path in the healthcare industry. You will be equipped with all the vital skills and a profound real-world (hands-on training) experience. Interested students can refer to our exhaustive GDA course details online.
Is GDA considered one of the most crucial services in hospitals?
Yes, GDA in hospitals is considered an indispensable service, as the assistants provide core basic patient care. GDAs perform daily activities including assisting the patients in bathing, grooming, eating, and checking for vital signs. All these duties are critical for patients’ steady recovery, thus allowing the nurses to focus on other complex work
