Health Care Assistants (HCAs)
Health care assistants (HCAs) are becoming more integral to the nursing family, as their role in delivering quality patient care continues to grow. In some areas, care traditionally provided by registered nurses is now being delivered by HCAs.
Health care assistants can join the RCN if their routine health or social care work is delegated to them by a registered nurse or midwife, or they have a qualification in health and care level three of the Scottish Credit and Qualifications framework.
Regulation of HCAs throughout the UK is currently being reviewed throughout the UK as a result of the changing role of HCAs in the provision of health care. Currently in Scotland, the Scottish Care Council regulates health and social staff working in registered services only, i.e. in social care settings.
For more information about the role of HCAs and the important role they play in the RCN membership, please contact Susan Watt, RCN Scotland Learning and Development Co-ordinator on 0131 662 6152 or email susan.watt@rcn.org.uk