Level 3 - Sample competences for a senior health care assistant

NHS KSF	WIPP Competence/Level	Skills for Health competence suite and competence status	Skills for Health National Occupational Standards/National Workforce Competences	Notes
HWB5/2	Undertake dressing procedures following local recommendations, complying with infection control principles and practice.	CHS12 NOS	Undertake treatments and dressings related to the care of lesions and wounds This workforce competence covers undertaking treatments and dressings related to the care of individuals' lesions and wounds. It is applicable in a variety of care settings including hospitals, care homes, the individuals own home or other community settings such as GP surgeries. This workforce competence involves removing and disposing of soiled dressings and wound coverings, cleaning lesions and wounds and applying fresh treatments/dressings. All of these activities must be undertaken using an aseptic technique and following local guidelines and procedures. Users of this competence will need to ensure that practice reflects up to date information and policies.
HWB6/2	Undertake spirometry under indirect supervision.	HCS_RESP1 NOS	Assess dynamic lung volumes by spirometry This competence is not displayed in the new format and some fields may be empty or difficult to read. Skills for Health are currently reviewing the content of the healthcare science competences. To become involved in the review please email your expression of interest to hcssuite@skillsforhealth.org.uk. This standard relates to the performance of dynamic lung volumes using volume/time and/or flow/volume measuring devices. The procedure may be performed on adult outpatients, in-patients and in primary care settings. Users of this competence will need to ensure that practice reflects up to date information and policies.	An example of where there is a gap in the Skills for Health database and where you encounter a gap you can contact Skills for Health and inform them. You can also contribute to the development of new competences.
Core 6/2	Know, understand and implement with patients, patients' relatives and colleagues the latest guidelines issued by professional bodies. These include: confidentiality, which recognises the need to protect patients' and carers' confidentiality at all times consent, which is the practice of gaining informed consent from all people prior to consultations and procedures an understanding and being able to describe the role of the Caldicott Guardian, and being aware of the name of their local nominated health professional personal preferences and beliefs (the patient's and your own) the patient's right to make their own decisions other ethical issues	CSO Unit 01 NOS	Foster people's equality, diversity and rights This unit is about acknowledging the equality and diversity of people and their rights and responsibilities. Because of the often sensitive nature of the information about people with which the sector deals, the maintenance of confidentiality is also included. Whilst it is recognised that you are not always in a position to change and influence structures directly, you are expected to be proactive against discrimination. You must be able to handle a number of competing tensions: within people themselves and between different people. Discrimination against people may occur for a wide range of reasons such as: differing abilities, age, class, caste, creed, culture, gender, health status, relationship status, mental health, offending background, place of origin, political beliefs, race, responsibility for dependants, religion, sexuality. The term 'people' is used broadly to cover individuals, families, groups, communities and organisations. The people may be clients, colleagues or anyone else with whom you come into contact.
Core2/1	Use the principles of reflective practice to support and maintain their own personal portfolio and professional development plan, while working with the senior nurse to receive effective assessment and training support. Identify specific training and support needs as required and work with the practice to access these needs	M&L_A2 NOS	Manage your own resources and professional development This workforce competence is about managing your personal resources (particularly knowledge, understanding, skills, experience and time) and your professional development in order to achieve your work objectives and your career and personal goals. You need to understand your work role and how it fits into the overall vision and objectives of the organisation whilst also understanding what is driving you in terms of your values and your career and wider personal aspirations. Identifying and addressing gaps in your skills and knowledge and understanding is an essential aspect of this unit. In managing your own resources and professional development you will use the following skills: Setting objectives Evaluating Planning Learning Reviewing Communicating Self-assessment Time management Stress management Obtaining feedback Reflecting Prioritising This workforce competence is recommended for first line managers, middle managers and senior managers. Users of this competence will need to ensure that practice reflects up to date information and policies.
Core3/2	Have a working knowledge of, and abide by, the following: health and safety procedures, and documentation within the workplace fire procedures monitoring and reporting the state of equipment and furniture current recommendations for the safe use of computer screens	GEN3 NOS	Maintain health & safety in a clinical/therapeutic environment This workforce competence covers the maintenance of health and safety in a clinical or therapeutic environment. This includes control of cross-infection by ensuring effective cleaning rooms, work areas, equipment and surfaces when required and following agreed cleaning schedules, where appropriate. It also covers monitoring and maintaining the cleanliness of the environment and reporting shortfalls to the person in charge of the care area. Monitoring and adjusting environmental factors, assessing risk and managing and handling emergencies related to the clinical/therapeutic environment are also included. Users of this competence will need to ensure that practice reflects up to date information and policies.
HWB5/3	Undertake the administration of the influenza and pneumococcal vaccine under indirect supervision of a regulated professional.	CHS3 NOS	Administer medication to individuals This workforce competence covers the administration of medication to individuals and monitoring the effects. This role is complex and will not be the role of all care staff, only those designated to undertake this activity according to their expertise and employers decisions. The workforce competence applies to all medication used for and by individuals, both prescribed and non-prescribed. This includes immunisation and vaccination. This workforce competence is intended to be used in a variety of care settings including hospitals, nursing and residential homes, hospices, and community settings including the individual's own home and GP surgeries. This workforce competence does not cover the use and administration of intra-venous medication. Users of this competence will need to ensure that practice reflects up to date information and policies.