Taught Course

This 2 day course has been developed over the last three years in response to the growing demand for Health Care Assistants (HCA) working in Primary Care.

Increasingly, GPs and Primary Care Trusts are recognising the valuable contribution the HCA can make in undertaking many routine tests and procedures. This frees up doctor and nurse time.

The course covers all the basic skills required by an HCA and is practically orientated to offer candidates hands on experience.

All candidates receive a certificate of completion. Candidates are mentored back in their workplace practicing the skills they have been taught until deemed competent by their mentor.

After the course the majority of HCAs continue their learning by undertaking an NVQ level 3 in Care which can also provided by Primary Care Training Group.

Course contents
• Hand washing and Infection Control
• Cleaning instruments
• Urine analysis
• Blood glucose monitoring
• Dealing with body fluid spillages
• First aid overview
• Measuring height and weight
• Form completion
• Record keeping
• Restocking consulting rooms
• Results giving
• Blood pressure monitoring
• Phlebotomy

Distance Learning Course

This course is offered as either a distance learning course or a taught course.

The advantage of distance learning is that the course can be completed at the candidate’s pace and in their own time. Time off from work is not required.

A course workbook and information pack is sent to all candidates. Each candidate must have a mentor who could either be a practice nurse or a GP. The mentor must be fully committed to the training of the HCA and be prepared to set time aside to work with the HCA during their training. Please note also that the mentor must be prepared to take full responsibility for supervising the work of the HCA until the mentor deems them to be competent. Competency guidelines are provided and have to be signed off as completed.

Each section of the course is worked through by the candidate and then gone through with the mentor. Practical sessions are undertaken under the supervision of the mentor and homework completed. A reflective diary is also written as the candidate progresses so that that they monitor and evaluate their own progress.

When the candidate has completed the course they sit a short multiple choice question paper under the supervision of the practice manager.

The MCQ test paper, competency record sheets and reflective diaries are then returned to Primary Care Training Group for marking.

Upon successful completion of the course a certificate of competency will be issued.

The time taken to complete this course is variable depending on the candidate and the mentor. As a guide we would expect the course to taken 10-20 hours to complete and additional time for practical sessions will be required. We would expect that the course would be completed whilst working as a supervised HCA and that the period from first starting to full competency would take a minimum of 6 weeks and a maximum of 1 year.

Cost = £195 + VAT