You should complete this essential learning within two weeks of starting in your new role. For NHSGGC Bank Staff this must be completed prior to your first orientation shift. If you require support please seek this from your Healthcare Support Worker Mandatory Induction Standards reviewer and line manager. You can also contact us at: ggc.practicedevelopmentinduction@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
HCSW Fundamental Care
HCSWs work in many different clinical areas delivering safe, effective, person-centred care. These areas include inpatient wards, outpatient areas, emergency departments, critical care and theatres.
Although these resources refer to inpatient care, they have relevance to all HCSWs new to our organisation.
Essential Learning Resources
HCSW Fundamental Care Presentation
Preparing for work in health and social care | Turas | Learn (nhs.scot)
Complete the modules:
Person Centred Care
Person-centred care is about putting the person at the heart of their care. By asking and listening, we can understand more about the person and do the things that are most important to them. This helps us to provide care that is individualised and improves their experience of care. Delivering high-quality, person-centred care is everyone’s business in NHSGGC.
Essential Learning
Delivering high quality person-centred care
Enable external content to view the short videos.
Other Useful Resources
Food, Fluid and Nutrition
Food and fluid gives our body energy to allow us to carry out our everyday tasks. Delivering the right amount of food and fluid to patients is an important role of the HCSW. In your first few shifts on the ward, work with the mealtime coordinator at meal service and find out what’s available for patients, and how to help them with their meals. By supporting people to eat and drink we can help them recover from their illness or surgery and get out of hospital sooner.
Essential Learning Resources
learnPro® module GGC: 270 An overview of Malnutrition
learnPro® module GGC: 272 Food First in Hospital
Other Useful Resources
Food, Fluid and Nutrition Manual (Staffnet- Access from GGC Computer)
Pressure Ulcer Prevention
A pressure ulcer is an area of skin damaged by pressure. It can be caused by sitting or lying in one position for too long or by rubbing or dragging skin across a surface. The risk of developing a pressure ulcer increases when a person has problems with walking, using the bathroom or they don’t eat and drink enough. It is important that the skin is kept clean and dry and if there are any devices (such as a splint or catheter) the skin under and around these are checked regularly to make sure no damage is developing.
Pressure ulcers can develop very quickly. There are simple measures that you can do to help reduce the risk of your patients developing a pressure ulcer including regular observation of their skin and making sure that they are not sitting or lying in the one position for too long and writing this on the Care Rounding Chart. Your colleagues may refer to pressure ulcer prevention as ‘Tissue Viability’.
Essential Learning Resources
learnPro® module GGC: 080 Prevention of Pressure Ulcers
Other Useful Resources
Tissue Viability Resource Folder (Acute) (access from an NHSGGC Computer)
Falls Prevention
Anyone can have a fall, but older people are more likely to fall, especially if they have a long-term health condition. People can fall many times and each fall might result in a serious injury such as a head injury or a fractured hip. A fall can happen due to many different risk factors e.g. poor balance, muscle weakness, poor eyesight, or the person is on multiple medications. There are many ways to reduce the risk of a patient falling in your role as a HCSW. It is also important that we encourage patients to be active whilst they are in our care this can be achieved by following the Active Wards Principles. The resources below will allow you to learn more about reducing falls and promoting Active Wards.
Essential Learning Resources
learnPro® modules Falls Prevention Training:
GGC: 215 An Introduction to Falls
GGC: 216 The Falls Bundle of Care
GGC: 217 Risk Factors for Falls (Part 1)
GGC: 218 Risk Factors For Falls (Part 2)
GGC: 219 What to do when your patient falls
GGC: 221 Bedrails
GGC: 260 Active Wards
Other Useful Resources
The Falls Homepage (Staffnet- accessed from a GGC Computer) has extensive resources including guidance on inpatient documentation, patient information leaflets and the Hoverjack ©
Dementia Care
These resources aim to develop your confidence and skills to implement person-centred care for the person living with dementia who is admitted to the acute hospital.
Essential Learning Resources
Turas Learn Dementia Informed level
Other Useful Resources
Adults with Incapacity (Staffnet- Access from GGC Computer)
Delirium Care
Delirium describes a confusion that can happen when patients are unwell. Causes of delirium include illness, surgery and some medicines. Delirium can start suddenly, but usually improves when the cause is found and treated. It can be very frightening for the patient and for their family and carers.
Essential Learning Resource
Healthcare Improvement Scotland Think Delirium Information Leaflet
Other Useful Resources
NHSGGC Acute Sector Guidelines on the risk reduction and management of Delirium
Infection Prevention and Control
Infection control is everyone’s business and we all have a part to play in keeping both ourselves and the people we look after safe. People with infection are more likely to come to harm, stay in hospital longer and may even die as a result. Keeping your hands clean, washing them regularly and using personal protective equipment (known as PPE) are important in stopping the spread of infection. In healthcare, Hand Hygiene and PPE are two of the 10 Standard Infection Control Precautions (known as SICPs), which are described in more detail in the GGC:007 Statutory Mandatory Modules.
Essential Learning Resources
learnPro® module GGC:007 Standard Infection Control Precautions
learnPro® module NES: Prevention & Control Infection: C.Difficile
SICPs may be insufficient to prevent cross transmission of specific infectious agents. Therefore, additional precautions, Transmission Based Precautions (TBPs), are required to be used by staff when caring for patients with a known or suspected infection or colonisation. More detail is available in the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual: Chapter 2 – Transmission Based Precautions (TBPs) (scot.nhs.uk). Speak to your line manager about when TBPs may be required and the PPE requirements for these specific patients that require them.
Other Useful Resources
Infection Prevention and Control – NHSGGC Homepage
National Infection Prevention and Control Manual: Home (scot.nhs.uk)
learnPro® NES: Scottish IPC Education Pathway – Foundation (Infection Prevention & Control tab)
Basic Life Support
You may come across emergency situations when you are at work. Patients can have problems with their airway, breathing or circulation and become suddenly unwell. During your first few months in your new job, your SCN/M or Team Lead may nominate you for a course called Basic Life Support which will help you to respond correctly in an emergency situation.
As part of your orientation to your ward / clinical area take some time to locate the emergency resuscitation trolley
If you find yourself in an emergency situation you may be asked to phone for the resuscitation team. Dial 2222- ask for the resuscitation team and tell them your clinical area and the hospital you are in
Palliative and End of Life Care
Palliative care is the care given to people with a life limiting illness. The term ‘life-limiting’ refers to an illness that can’t be cured and that patients are likely to die from. You may hear the term ‘progressive’ (gets worse over time) or ‘advanced’ (a serious stage) to describe these illnesses. Examples include advanced cancer, end stage cardiac, respiratory, renal failure and motor neurone disease.
Essential Learning Resources
Other Useful Resources
What Can Happen When Someone is Dying
Palliative Care Resource Folder (Adult Services) (scot.nhs.uk)(Access from a GGC computer)
or click on the pink leaf tile on the right hand side of Staffnet homepage
Moving and Handling
Moving and handling activities is a key part of your duties. This includes assisting patients and tasks such as moving equipment, laundry and stores. To keep yourself and patients safe it is essential you have the correct level of training.
If you have a Scottish Manual Handling Passport no foundation practical training course is required. Bring the passport document in to show your SCN or Team Lead. For Registered Nurses on the NHSGGC Staff Bank, send a copy by email to adminstaffbank@ggc.scot.nhs.uk. The dates of Moving and Handling training documented in the passport will go into the ward/ department training records. Complete the mandatory learnPro module: 005 Manual Handling Theory together with the practical competency assessment within your clinical area carried out by one of the local assessors.
If you do not have a Scottish Manual Handling Passport complete learnPro module: 005 Manual Handling Theory and your SCN or Team Lead will nominate you for the foundation practical training course (1day). Whilst waiting for your training course please review the NHSGGC Moving and Handling information page.
All patients should be verbally encouraged to move and position themselves independently. When a patient needs to be moved, handled or requiring a mechanical aid this should be carried out with a member of the ward / department team and not on your own. Please, do not to use hoisting equipment until training completed.
Sharps Safety
To prevent needlestick injuries, NHSGGC provides sharp safe devices across the organisation within all areas of clinical practice, for the protection of staff.
Essential Learning
If you use sharps as part of your role you must complete:
LearnPro® module: Prevention and Management of Occupational Exposure (Scottish IPC Education Pathway – Infection Prevention and Control tab)
Other Useful Resources
Blood Transfusion
Ask your SCN, SCM or Team Lead if you will be involved in any part of the Blood Transfusion process, if yes please read on and complete the essential learning. If not, then tick N/A on the completion checklist.
It is essential to discuss with your SCN, SCM or Team Lead to find out if you are likely to be involved in:-
- Taking pre transfusion blood samples
- Collecting and storing blood components
HCSWs involved in any stage of the transfusion process are required to undertake the appropriate learning required for their role. Appropriate training and learning must be undertaken before participation in taking pre transfusion blood samples or the collection and delivery of blood or blood products.
Essential Learning Resources
If undertaking phelebotomy:
learnPro module Learn Blood Transfusion (LBT) Phlebotomy pathway
learnPro module LBT Blood sampling for transfusion video
If collecting / delivering blood/ blood products:
learnPro module LBT Blood Collection Pathway
- BCCAP Assessment, delivered at ward level
Other Useful Resources
NHSGGC Clinical Transfusion Policy (Staffnet- Access from GGC Computer only)
Health & Safety Violence Reduction
NHSGGC recognises that employees and patients may be exposed to violence, aggression, and distress. Those who experience it can be at risk of physical and emotional harm. NHSGGC has a lawful responsibility to reduce this risk and act to keep staff and patients as safe as is practicable.
Our aim is that the risk of harm posed by violence, aggression, and distress will be reduced to its lowest practicable level and that relationships between ourselves, patients, and others who use the service are positive and respectful. To help achieve this, a Public Health, Human Rights Based, Risk Reduction model is used which includes the provision of training that is relevant and sufficient for your role within NHSGGC.
Essential Learning Resources
LearnPro module GGC: 003 – Reducing Risks of Violence and Aggression
Other Useful Resources
Your line manager will complete a Training Needs Analysis to identify if you work in an area/service exposed to a higher risk of violence, aggression, and distress. This will require some staff to attend in-person Health and Safety Violence Reduction training which is booked through eESS.
Prior to attending this training complete LearnPro module GGC: 312 – Violence Reduction – Physical Skills Knowledge – Adults.
Violence Reduction Service (Health & Safety) (sharepoint.com)
All new team members or internal staff transfers, working in a Healthcare Support Worker (HCSW) role, are expected to meet the NHS Scotland HCSW Mandatory Induction Standards and HCSW Code of Conduct after 3 months in post (or part-time equivalent up to a maximum of six months). If your post is solely with the NHSGGC Staff Bank you are required to sign the Code of Conduct before you start and you have 6 months to complete the NHS Scotland HCSW Mandatory Induction Standards.
All the information you require can be found within Induction Step 4 Guidance and Resources for Managers/ Supervisors and Staff – NHSGGC and here: Step 4 – Health Care Support Worker Induction Standards and Code Of Conduct – NHSGGC
Checklist
Print off and sign the completion Checklist. If your post is solely with the NHSGGC Staff Bank you are required to send a signed copy of the completion checklist to adminstaffBank@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
Health Care Support Worker Step 6 induction evaluation
Further Information
Wellbeing
Throughout your career, as a Health Care Support worker, you may experience a range of emotions, which could affect your mental health and wellbeing. The NHSGGC: Mental Health and Wellbeing for NHSGGC staff link provides a range of support to prevent and assist with mental health issues in the workplace.
NHSGGC has also produced a booklet with a range of resources and links to support you to take care of your own mental health.
The National Wellbeing Hub contains information, resources and supports which you may find helpful at work and at home.
The Induction team also offer peer support, please contact us at ggc.practicedevelopmentinduction@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
Next Steps
HealthCare Support Worker (HCSW) Portal – NHSGGC is where you will find all resources and updates for HCSW professional development. There are links to different support sites such as NHS Education for Scotland (NES), our own development programmes and a sample of training courses and instructions on how to access them