Health Care Support Worker (Band 2)
Role Definition
At all times works under the direction and supervision of healthcare practitioners, senior HCSWS or assistant practitioners. Assist with the delivery of fundamental aspects of person-centred care and treatment depending on the context of care delivery and within the limits of competence, guided by legislation, standard operating procedures, protocols, or systems of work.
Education
Mandatory Induction Standards
Education & Career Pathway
Clinical Practice
- Personal care
- Mouth care
- Foot/nail care
- Catheter care
- Assisting with meals
- Documentation e.g. Fluid balance chart
- Recognises changes in person’s condition and escalate
Trainee or Senior Health Care Support Worker (Band 3)
Role Definition
At all times works under the direction and supervision of healthcare practitioners or assistant practitioners. Carry out delegated aspects of person-centred care, treatment, or intervention as detailed in the individual’s plan of care.
Following initial assessment by a health care practitioner can plan, prioritise own work taking responsibility for assigned activities within the plan of care and limits of their competence within the context of the role and remit, guided by legislation, standard operating procedures, protocols, or systems of work.
Education
National Progression Award (Trainee)
Professional Development Award L7
Education & Career Pathway
Clinical Practice
The clinical skills that are undertaken at this level will depend on the service area requirement.
Medication administration must be approved through the HCSW Medicine group and Chief/ AND.
Some skills have a Standard operating procedure/and or medicine protocol in place.
Clinical Skills & Competencies
- Vital signs
- Removal of cannula
- Removal of urinary catheter
- Safe transfer/ Escort
- Assist with patients receiving Oxygen Therapy
- Venepuncture
- Recording a standard 12 lead ECG
- Blood Glucose Monitoring (BMs)
- Bladder scanning
- Specimen collection e.g. Urinalysis
- Stoma care
- Application of Anti embolic stockings
- Swabs (i.e. MRSA)
- Removal of clips/structures
- Application of wound dressings (B3)
- Cannulation
- Administration of approved simple medications
Assistant Practitioner (Band 4)
Role Definition
Within the boundaries of the role, can use their own initiative and utilise clinical knowledge and skills at a more complex level than a senior Health care support Worker and specific to an area of practice.
Demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills related to the delegated activities and take action within the context of the role and remit. Deliver agreed more complex activities, care, treatment, or interventions and supervised (direct or indirect) by health practitioners, following initial assessment by a health care practitioner. This will be dependent on individual patient needs and area of practice relevant to each profession and context of care delivery within the parameters of the role.
Education
Professional development Award L8
Education & Career Pathway
Clinical Practice
The clinical skills that are undertaken at this level will depend on the service requirement.
Medication administration must be approved through HCSW Medicine group and Chief/ AND.
Some skills have a Standard operating procedure/and or medicine protocol in place.
Clinical Skills & Competencies
Band 3 skills plus:
- Catheterisation
- Assist with Admissions and discharges
- Audits and QI
- Continence assessments
- Venesection
- Leg ulcer care / Doppler handheld measurement Application of wound dressings (B4)
- Administration of approved medications
- End-of-life care for HCSW in Community settings
- Managing Frailty and Long-term Conditions in community settings
- Patient education to support self management
