The GDA course is a series of short (3-6 months) training in basic nursing and patient care for hospital and home care jobs. Often, you have to have completed 10th grade to be a part.
It comprises classroom instruction and hands-on exercises in fields such as infection control and patient safety. After undergoing a test, GDAS can earn ₹1.75- ₹ 4.0 Lakh per year, and there are vast openings for jobs in the growing healthcare sector in India.
What is a General Duty Assistant?
A General Duty Assistant (GDA) is an essential part of any healthcare support team. He or she helps nurses and doctors perform non-clinical and routine patient-care tasks. GDAS assists with baths, feeding, patient transportation, taking basic vital signs, managing bed linen, and decontaminating patient care zones.
GDA certification is competence in core healthcare practices that do not require NEET or other medical-entrance examinations.
GDA Eligibility Criteria
Academic Qualifications
Minimum Education: Most institutes take Class 10 from a recognised board, and in exceptional cases Class 8; some institutes also accept Class 8.
Age Limit: Normally, the minimum age required for aspirants is 15–17 years old.
Other Requirements
Medical Fitness: A simple health check-up demonstrating physical fitness to attend to patient-handling work is usually required.
Course Curriculum & Structure
The curriculum of the GDA program is standardized under the guidelines of Healthcare Sector Skill Council (HSSC) as well as National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) frameworks and generally lasts from 3–6 months including:
3.1 Classroom Theory (2–4 Months)
Orientation to Healthcare Facilities: Hospital department, roles and healthcare ethics
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Basic Anatomy & Physiology: Learning about human body systems pertinent to nursing care
Infection control and biomedical waste management. Accepted practices of hygiene and waste disposal
Patient Rights & Communication: Ethics, confidentiality, and interpersonal skills.
3.2 Practical & Skill Labs (1–2 Months)
Vital Signs Monitoring: Detecting pulse, temperature, respiration and blood pressure
Patient Hygiene: Procedures of bathing, oral care, grooming, and repositioning.
Safe Patient Handling: Individual use of assistive devices, transfers from bed to wheelchair, safe lifting techniques
Basic Emergency Response: First aid, fire safety, and patient evacuation mechanism.
3.3 On-Job Training (1–2 Months)
Clinical Rotations: Support in hospitals, nursing homes or hom-care settings with supervision
Record-Keeping & Reporting: Updating patient charts, incident logs, and records for use of equipment
GDA Career Prospects & Salary Expectations
Demand & Growth
However, the demand for GDAs is increasing sharply with the fact that India’s healthcare sector is set to grow by as much as 20% in 2024 – hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, home-care agencies, and public health organizations are recruiting.
Job Roles
Hospital GDA: Helping to serve ward nurses in general and specialty wards
Home-Care GDA: Special patient support on a one-to-one basis in residential settings
Clinic & Nursing-Home GDA: Carrying out basic patient procedures in small enterprises..
Salary Range
Entry Level: ₹1.75–3.0 Lakh per annum
Average: ₹3.0 – 4.0 Lakh per annum in metros
Admission Process & Fees
Application: Present a filled form (online or on-campus) with academic records and identification.
Entrance Test / Interview: Some institutes hold a simple aptitude test or a personal interview to determine suitability of the applicants.
Fee Structure:
Range: ₹10,000–30,000 in total with the amount dependent on the institute’s reputation and facilities.
SCOPE Mumbai, Thane & Pune
Scholarships / Government Schemes: Most states provide subsidized training under PMKVY or state vocational programs. This increases the number of trainees even if we exclude the expired youth.
Tips for Success
Hands-On Practice: Treat any clinical rotation seriously- Real world exposure anchors theoretical learning.
Soft Skills: Develop empathy, patience, and good communication to excel in patient facing roles.
Health & Fitness: Keep personal fitness in order to perform physically strenuous tasks safely.
Continuing Education: Occupy bridge courses for future career advancement (ANM/GNM).
Conclusion
The General Duty Assistant course offers a swift pathway into India’s burgeoning healthcare workforce. In just 3–6 months, candidates gain vital nursing support skills, nationally recognized certification, and a clear trajectory for career advancement.
With strong sectoral growth and attractive entry-level salaries, GDA certification is an excellent choice for those seeking meaningful, patient-centred roles in healthcare.
FAQs
Q1. How long is the GDA course usually?
As a rule, the GDA course takes 3-6 months and lasts for approximately 460 hours. 100 hours of theory, 320 hours of practical training and 40 hours of employability and entrepreneurship modules.
Q2. Which are the requirements for gaining admission in a GDA course?
Candidates must hold at least class 10 from any recognized board and must be medically fit. Some institutes accept Class 8 pass-outs; the age of entry is usually 15-17 years.
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Q3. Is GDA certification nationally recognized?
Yes. GDA certification after passing the Healthcare Sector Skill Council’s competency exam is accepted nationally at NSQF Level 4, facilitating jobs in such setups as hospitals, clinics and home-care.
Q4. What is the career advancement opportunity after the GDA course?
GDAs may aspire to the posts of Nursing Assistant or Floor Supervisor; or pursue ANM, GNM to receive higher assignments and better pay.