Education and training for the HCA

Helen Woodhead and Anne McAdamThe Ridge Medical Practice

Bradford

Setting the scene

• Training Needs Analysis

• Personal Development Review (Appraisal)

How do people learn?

• Learning styles

What training is available?

Types of qualifications available

• Primary Health Care Assistant Certificate

• Open University Diploma

• NVQ level 2 and 3

Primary Health Care Assistant Certificate

• 6-month distance learning course run by the Primary Care Training Centre, Bradford

• Accredited to Huddersfield University at 30 credits for the foundation level

• Mandatory attendance at a 2 day workshop 6–8 weeks into the course

• Assessment by way of a 6,000-word portfolio

• Example of topics covered:– maintaining standards, accountability– health and safety, infection control– confidentiality, clinical skills– patients’ rights

• Work Shadowing

• Study Days

• Mandatory Training

• Protected Learning Time

Types of training

• Work shadowing

• External study days:– Chaperoning

– COPD/asthma

– Phlebotomy

– ECG

– Wound care

Mandatory training

• At least once with updates as necessary:– equality and diversity– child protection– consent– confidentiality– conflict resolution– moving and handling

• Annual:– health and safety– fire– basic CPR– infection control

Protected learning time

• Who takes part?

• How often is it?

• Does the PCT support it?

• What happens there?

Open University Diploma

• Over 1 year

• 6 study days

• Development of skills competencies

• Continuous assessment process

NVQ training

• EdExcel level 2 and 3 NVQs in general healthcare• Transferable qualification• Requires trained assessor• Units of competencies mapped to KSF• NVQ level 3

• Where can you access NVQ training?

Funding

• Practice

• PCT

• Workforce Development Confederation

• Pharmaceutical companies

• Self

Websites

• www.primarycaretraining.co.uk

• www.edexcel.org.uk

• www.open.ac.uk

• www.wipp.nhs.uk