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.

• Introduction to studying in higher education
• Legal and professional responsibilities as an HCA e.g. accountability, delegation, code of conduct, patient consent
• Duty of care, - communication, privacy and dignity, fluids and nutrition, awareness of mental health, dementia and learning disability, safeguarding adults, safeguarding children, Equality & Diversity
• Basic medical terminology
• Record keeping - within HCAs area of work to include:
- recall of patients/population manager searches/read codes/General Medical Services contract
- writing up notes of meetings with patients
- IT Skills
• Infection control
- Health and Safety
- Blood pressure monitoring
- Venepuncture
- Health status check e.g. new patient check
- Chaperoning
• Treatment Room - stocking storage of vaccines, cold chain, equipment checks
• Health promotion, Making Every Contact Count including awareness of support groups, EPP, PALS,
• Personal and Professional Development
• Dealing with and talking to patients including difficult consultations

A portfolio of evidence to reflect achievement of LO's 2, 3 and 4 – (100% weighting)

1. A short descriptive discussion that explains some of the significant issues involved in delivering health care in a primary care/community setting pertinent to your role as an HCA. (1750 word limit)

2. SWOT analysis, PDP and a practice resource leaflet - (no word limit)

A competency workbook to address LO 1 Pass/fail (0% weighting)

Both elements of assessment must be passed.

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.

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.

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: (45 hours)
42 hours lectures
3 hours tutorials

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

Doherty, L. & Lister, S (2011) Royal Marsden Hospital Manual of Clinical Procedures (7th Ed). Oxford: Palgrave Macmillan.

Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers and Adult Social Care Workers in England (2013) Skills for Health. Department of Health

Rawles, Z. (2014) Essential Knowledge and Skills for Healthcare Assistants CRC Press New York
The Care Certificate (2015) http://www.skillsforhealth.org.uk/images/projects/care_certificate/Care%20Certificate%20Standards.pdf Skills for Health. NHS England

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

1. Demonstrate competence to undertake a defined range of clinical and administrative tasks utilising the underpinning knowledge, understanding and rationale. (Application, Knowledge and Understanding)

2. Demonstrate self-awareness of the role and responsibilities as a health care assistant and identify any personal or professional learning needs linked to the requirements of the workplace. (Reflection)

3. Identify and describe the varying roles of the primary/community healthcare team. (Enquiry)

4. Explain the key issues pertinent to the role of the HCA in a primary care/community setting. (Communication)

- Practice: 100 day placement and production of a professional portfolio evidencing knowledge, theory and skills mapped into the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) and Knowledge and Skills Statements (KSS). Each student will have a Practice Educator and Academic Link who will support the student through the placement via formal and informal meetings and tutorials.