The module will undertake to provide the fundamental knowledge and skills pertinent to the HCA role in primary care or in the community in a safe and patient-focussed manner in the following areas:
- Introduction to studying in higher education
- Legal and professional responsibilities as an HCA e.g. accountability, delegation, code of conduct, patient consent
- Basic medical terminology
- Record keeping - within HCAs area of work to include:
1. recall of patients/population manager searches/read codes/General Medical Services contract
2. writing up notes of meetings with patients
3. IT Skills
- Infection control
- Health and Safety
- Blood pressure monitoring
- Venepuncture
- Health status check e.g. new patient check
- Chaperoning
- Treatment Room - stocking of/storage of vaccines, cold chain, equipment checks
- Health promotion including awareness of support groups, EPP, PALS, self-care.
- Personal and Professional Development
- Dealing with and how to talk to patients including difficult consultations

Summative Assessment:
A portfolio of evidence to reflect achievement of learning outcomes 2, 3 and 4 - 1750 word limit.
The portfolio of evidence will include the following essential elements: - a SWOT analysis, PDP, a short descriptive discussion and a practice resource listing.

A competency booklet and workbook to address learning outcome 1 - Pass/fail

Formative Assessment:
Pre-course self assessment self-marked in the classroom setting to indicate knowledge at the start of the course. Repeated at the end of the course to show progression.
Tutorials
Group work
Total word count: 1750

Both elements of assessment must be passed.

Contact Hours: (45)
30 hours lectures
15 hours tutorials

Independent Study Hours: (105)
to include the demonstration of practical skills and skill development in clinical practice

Patient/carers involvement will be included through the course

Students must be working in a primary or community health or social care setting e.g. general practice, out of hours or within a community health team.

Applicants will need the support of their employer and to identify a named mentor/assessor who is a registered health care professional with a recognised governing body e.g. NMC.

Library facilities
Internet access
Access to NHS library
Blackboard
Mentor in clinical practice
Laptop and projector

Alexander, M.F., Fawcett, J.N. & Runciman, P.J. Editors (2006) Nursing Practice: Hospital and Home - The Adult. 3rd Edition. Edinburgh, Churchill Livingstone
Cottrell, S. (2003) The Study Skills Handbook (2nd Edition) Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan
Waugh, A. & Grant, A. (2006) Ross and Wilson Anatomy and Physiology in Health and Illness. 10th edition. Edinburgh, Churchill Livingstone
Weller, B.F. (2005) Bailliere's Nurses' Dictionary: For Nurses and Health Care Workers. 24Rev Edition. Edinburgh, Bailliere Tindall.