DHA (Diploma in Health Assistant)

Last Updated on July 30, 2023 by Vishnu Nambiar

Have you passed 12th standard? Do you want to pursue a Diploma course related to allied healthcare sector after 12th? If yes, this post will be of help to you. Here, we will have an in-depth analysis of DHA course. It stands for Diploma in Health Assistant.

In this post, you will find all the important details that you need to know about DHA course. Here, I’ve covered the following details – duration, eligibility, colleges, fees, admission, scope, career prospects, salary and more.

Here is a quick overview of the diploma program –

As I mentioned before, this diploma course caters to the needs of allied healthcare sector. After completing this course, you will be able to find an entry level job in healthcare institutes.

12th pass students are eligible to pursue this course. The course duration may vary from one institute to another.

What is Diploma in Health Assistant course all about? What is it like to pursue this course? Will I get a good job after completing this course? You will find answers to these questions in the next section.

DHA Course: An Introduction

As the name suggests, this is a Diploma certificate course. Students who have passed 12th standard are eligible to apply for DHA admission.

This course deals with the needs of allied healthcare sector. The healthcare sector of India is growing at a healthy pace. This sector generated ample amount of job opportunities each year.

The healthcare sector not just employs Doctors and nurses! This sector also employs a large number of allied healthcare workers. These allied healthcare workers play an integral role in ensuring the smooth functioning of healthcare sector.

Allied healthcare workers perform a wide variety of tasks. Depending upon the training they received, their skills and knowledge, they are capable of performing both clinical and non-clinical work. They can also be seen assisting Doctors and nurses at healthcare institutes.

As I mentioned before, DHA course deals with allied healthcare sector. The name of the course – Diploma in Health Assistant – itself suggests, this fact!

This course can be compared to a nursing training program. But this program is not as valued as its traditional nursing training counterparts such as B.Sc. Nursing and GNM course.

The main aim of this course is to impart basic nursing skills among students. Our healthcare sector needs skilled nursing professionals. Now, each and every aspirant can’t pursue courses like GNM and B.Sc. Nursing.

DHA course has been created with the aim of developing a skilled workforce of nursing professionals in India. DHA course trains candidates in two notable areas – nursing skills and healthcare assistance.

After completing this course, you will be able to provide nursing care and assistance to patients at healthcare institutes. Apart from that, you will also be able to assist healthcare workers such as Doctors and RNs.

Please note that you won’t be able to become an RN right after completing this course. If you want to become an RN, you may go for B.Sc. Nursing course after 12th.

Let us take a closer look at the course details. In the next section, you will find the following details – duration, eligibility, colleges, admission and fees.

Course Details

Type of course

It is a Diploma certificate program.

Duration

Course duration may vary from one institute to another. It could be anywhere between one to two years.

Eligibility Criteria

Minimum educational qualification required is – completed 12th standard from a recognized board. Eligibility criteria may vary slightly from one institute to another.

Colleges

Paramedical institutes across India are known to offer this training program. Some hospital chains are also known to offer this training program in India.

Admission process

Reputed institutes select deserving candidates through selection tests or interviews. Deserving candidates are selected on the basis of their performance in the test or interview. Some colleges are also known to carry out donation based and direct admission process.

Fees

Tuition fees depends upon the following factors – type of college (Government or self-financing), scholarship status of the student, rating of the college etc. On an average, tuition fees could be anywhere between 25-40K INR per year.

Syllabus

Here are some of the important subjects present in the curriculum –

• Nursing skills
• Communication skills
• Nursing assistance
• Patient education
• Patient care skills

Career prospects

After completing DHA course, candidates will be able to find work at healthcare institutes such as – hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, rehabilitation clinics etc. They may also find work at NGOs and old age homes. DHA candidates will have access to entry level jobs (mostly).

You may also check –

GNM course

ANM course

Salary

Starting salary depends upon factors such as – profile of the employer, job location, academic performance of the candidate etc. On an average, it could be anywhere between 12-15K INR per month.

Vishnu Nambiar

I am Vishnu Nambiar a career and educational blogger from India. I am also a full time educational consultant having more than 12 years of experience in the educational sector.

I share articles related to courses, colleges, careers, exam tips and more here.