Healthcare Support Worker

1. Communication

• communicate effectively with individuals, their families, carers and healthcare practitioners using a range of techniques, keeping information confidential
• handle information (record, report and store information) related to individuals in line with local and national policies

• why it is important to communicate effectively at work; how to communicate with individuals that have specific language needs or wishes; ways to make yourself understood; how to reduce problems with communication;
• legislation, policies and local ways of working(5) about handling information; how to keep information confidential; why it is important to record and store patient information securely and what to do if you think information is not secure

2. Health intervention

• support individuals with long term conditions, frailty and end of life(6) care
• identify and respond to signs of pain or discomfort

• promote physical health and wellbeing of individuals
• assist with an individuals’ overall comfort and wellbeing
• support individuals with activities of daily living(7)
• recognise deteriorations in health, long term conditions, physiological measurements, skin integrity and report appropriately
• report any changes in physical health needs as appropriate

• how to do routine clinical tasks (eg check blood pressure, temperature, weight etc) delegated from a registered nurse or other healthcare professional
• the signs and symptoms of a person who is experiencing pain or discomfort
• how to promote a person’s physical health and wellbeing
• how to support a person’s comfort and wellbeing
• the importance of hydration, nutrition and food safety
• what the activities of daily living are and which ones you are expected to support in your role
• the signs of a person whose health and wellbeing is deteriorating; and how to report changes and deterioration

2.1 Person centred care and support

• demonstrate what it means in practice to provide person centered care and support

• what it means to give ‘person centred care and support’; why it is important to get consent, even when it is difficult; why it is important to get people actively involved in their own care; why it is important to give people choices about their care; and why treating people as valuable and unique individuals makes a big difference in how they feel

2.2 Dementia, cognitive issues, mental health

• promote mental health and wellbeing
• recognise limitations in mental capacity and respond appropriately
• recognise and respond to signs of poor mental health for example dementia, depression, anxiety or other cognitive issues
• recognise and report any deterioration in an individual’s mental health

• the main forms of mental ill health and their impact on people’s lives; and how to promote mental health and wellbeing
• the possible signs of limitations in mental capacity and what to do when you notice them
• the possible signs of mental health, dementia and learning disability in people ; why depression, delirium and the normal ageing process may be mistaken for dementia; the importance of early diagnosis in relation to dementia and other cognitive issues
•  how to report changes or deterioration

2.3 Basic life support

• perform basic life support for individuals using appropriate resuscitation techniques and equipment

• how to perform basic life support

2.4 Physiological measurements

• undertake a range of physiological measurements using the appropriate equipment including height, weight, temperature, pulse, breathing rate and blood pressure

• the range of physiological states that can be measured including body temperature, weight, height, blood pressure, pulse and breathing rate
• the normal range of physiological measurements

3. Personal and people development

• take responsibility for, prioritise and reflect on your own actions and work
• work as part of a team, seeking help and guidance when you are not sure
• maintain and further develop your own skills and knowledge through development activities; maintain evidence of your personal development and actively prepare for and participate in appraisal

• your role and the responsibilities and duties of your job; why it is important to work in ways that have been agreed by your employer and to follow standards/codes of conduct;
• working relationships and the importance of working well with other people; who or where to go for help and support about anything related to your work
• the importance of personal development and how to reflect on your work ; how to create a personal development plan

4. Health, safety and security

• maintain a safe and healthy working environment
• take appropriate action in response to incidents or emergencies following local guidelines

• legislation, policies and local ways of working which relate to health and safety at work; your responsibilities, and the responsibilities of others, relating to health and safety at work
• what to do in situations that could cause harm to themselves and others; how to handle hazardous materials and substances; and what to do when there is an accident or sudden illness

4.1 Duty of Care

• follow the principles for implementing a duty of care, always acting in the best interest of individuals to ensure they do not come to harm

• the meaning of ‘duty of care’ and why it is important; what support is available when you come across a difficult situation or when someone makes a complaint

4.2 Safeguarding

• follow the principles of safeguarding and protection

• legislation, policies and local ways of working about ‘safeguarding’ and protection from abuse ; the signs of abuse and what to do if you suspect abuse; and how to reduce the chances of abuse as much as possible

4.3 Infection prevention and control

• use a range of techniques for infection prevention and control including waste management, hand washing and the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• legislation, policies and local ways of working that help to prevent infection; the meaning of ‘risk’ and ‘risk assessment’; the importance of good personal hygiene and hand washing ; how to select the right PPE (such as gloves, aprons and masks); how infections start and spread; the importance of cleaning, disinfecting and maintaining a clean workplace to reduce the risk and spread of infection; and the meaning of ‘antimicrobial resistance’

4.4 Moving and handling

• move and position individuals, equipment and other items safely

• why people and objects need to be moved safely; how to move and position people safely; how to move and handle equipment and other objects safely; agreed ways of working when moving people and know how to identify any risks

5. Equality and diversity

• follow the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion

• equality and diversity legislation, policies and local ways of working; why equality is important and how discrimination can happen at work