auxiliar de enfermería
/auɡsiljaɾ de enfeɾmeɾia/from spelling rules
In Spanish, the English phrase 'health care assistant' is translated as auxiliar de enfermería.
This phrase refers to a worker who supports nurses and doctors by providing basic care to patients. While auxiliar de enfermería is the standard professional title, you may also see the more generic term auxiliar de salud used to mean 'health assistant'.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase auxiliar de enfermería literally translates to 'nursing assistant'.
Which one should you use?
Auxiliar de enfermería specifically refers to an assistant in the field of nursing. For a more generic sense of 'health assistant', you can use auxiliar de salud. If you want to use a formal translation for 'medical care technician', you should use Técnico en atención médica. The phrase Asistente sanitario is also a formal way to say 'healthcare assistant'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the term Técnico en cuidados auxiliares de enfermería is commonly used to describe a health care assistant.
How do you pronounce it?
/auɡsiljaɾ de enfeɾmeɾia/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking hospitals, these professionals are affectionately called auxiliares for short. Dropping the de enfermería is common in fast-paced clinical environments.
- While enfermería refers to nursing, the root word enfermo means 'sick'. Literally, the phrase auxiliar de enfermería describes an assistant dedicated to the care of the sick.
- The word enfermería refers to the field of nursing, but it can also be used to describe the physical space of a 'nursing station' or 'infirmary'.
Examples in context
- Ella trabaja como auxiliar de enfermería.She works as a health care assistant.
- Necesitamos un auxiliar de enfermería para el turno de noche.We need a health care assistant for the night shift.
- Mi hermano es un excelente auxiliar de enfermería.My brother is an excellent health care assistant.
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are talking about their job applications at a hospital.
- Lucía¿Quieres ser auxiliar de enfermería?Do you want to be a health care assistant?
- JavierSí, me gustaría mucho ese puesto.Yes, I would really like that position.
- LucíaEs un trabajo muy importante en el hospital.It is a very important job in the hospital.
- JavierTienes razón, Lucía.You are right, Lucía.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
