Training Pack for Health Care Assistants Working in General Practice (ePub)

As the scope of activity in general practice has widened it has become clear that a valuable role can be provided by health care assistants who are able to support many of the nursing and administrative activities in General Practice (GPs). This support role has many dimensions and can include administration, reception duties, and activities with the practice nurse such as new patient registration and health promotion. This programme recognises the developing role of the health care assistant (HCA) in general practice and acknowledges the unique role played in learning from day to day experiences in the work place. Nursing in general practice has developed rapidly in response to the changes in Primary care and has become a specialist area. Practice nurses work to support GPs in providing general medical services for patients. The work that nurses do in general practice varies widely. It is influenced by the expertise and qualifications of the practice nurse, the range of multi-disciplinary professionals attached to the practice and the size of the practice. General Practices can be single-handed GP's or large group practices employing a variety of nurses, therapists and other health care professionals. This programme stems from examination of the individual health care assistant's job description and identified working protocols whilst recognising that Practices will have varying and differing activities for health care assistants. It identifies the knowledge, attitudes and capabilities required by health care assistants and aims to provide the underpinning knowledge and skills required to enable effective support. The programme is designed to provide a structured approach to the learning required for HCAs during the first year to eighteen months of employment in a general practice environment. Students undertaking this programme will need a work place supervisor to enable them to complete it successfully. The supervisor will usually be a practice nurse, however the practice manager may also take an active role in supervision.