Table Observations for health care assistants (HCAs) (all providers) – This table provides a summary of the observations commonly undertaken by HCAs. It covers some associated aspects for managers, including accountability, delegation, competency requirements and documentation. Further information can be found on Royal College of Nursing (RCN) website: www.rcn.org.uk/firststeps and the Skills for Health website: www.skillsforhealth.org.uk If HCAs feel they need further advice or support, the RCN First Steps website offers advice for HCAs and support workers. Aspects of observations for Rationale Notes HCAs Accountability All practitioners must ensure HCAs should undertake a that they perform competently programme of education and be and that they do not work assessed as competent in practice beyond their level of before undertaking tasks proficiency. They must notify a independently. senior member of staff when unable to do so. Competency and delegation The HCA must be Prior to delegating tasks, it should appropriately trained to carry be considered if this is in the best out observations with ongoing interests of the patient. Does it development to ensure involve clinical risk? Is that risk competency and proficiency significant? Does the person to are maintained. Evidence that whom the task is delegated have that competence has been appropriate knowledge, skill and assessed should be competence to undertake the task? documented. Is there appropriate supervision and support in place to ensure competence? And are there sufficient teaching and learning resources available? Recording and escalation of All observations should be Accessible, clear guidelines and findings accurately recorded on protocols must be in place for each approved documentation. home, so that the HCA is not HCAs should know when to required to make stand-alone escalate findings and be aware clinical judgements. of appropriate methods of doing so. Core components To undertake safe, effective Essential core components include observations, HCAs must knowledge of: demonstrate competence to a normal ranges of basic vital required standard, displaying signs/measurements appropriate knowledge, skill the significance of changes and understanding of essential safe and accurate techniques core components. for measuring/observing timely reporting and documentation of changes effective infection control measures informed/valid consent understanding of organisational policies and protocols, including
Table – Observations for health care assistants (HCAs) (all providers) This table provides a summary of the observations commonly undertaken by HCAs. It covers some associated aspects for managers, including accountability, delegation, competency requirements and documentation. Further information can be found on Royal College of Nursing (RCN) website: www.rcn.org.uk/firststeps and the Skills for Health website: www.skillsforhealth.org.uk If HCAs feel they need further advice or support, the RCN First Steps website offers advice for HCAs and support workers. Aspects of observations for HCAs Rationale Notes Accountability All practitioners must ensure that they perform competently and that they do not work beyond their level of proficiency. They must notify a senior member of staff when unable to do so. HCAs should undertake a programme of education and be assessed as competent in practice before undertaking tasks independently. Competency and delegation The HCA must be appropriately trained to carry out observations with ongoing development to ensure competency and proficiency are maintained. Evidence that that competence has been assessed should be documented. Prior to delegating tasks, it should be considered if this is in the best interests of the patient. Does it involve clinical risk? Is that risk significant? Does the person to whom the task is delegated have appropriate knowledge, skill and competence to undertake the task? Is there appropriate supervision and support in place to ensure competence? And are there sufficient teaching and learning resources available? Recording and escalation of findings All observations should be accurately recorded on approved documentation. HCAs should know when to escalate findings and be aware of appropriate methods of doing so. Accessible, clear guidelines and protocols must be in place for each home, so that the HCA is not required to make stand-alone clinical judgements. Core components To undertake safe, effective observations, HCAs must demonstrate competence to a required standard, displaying appropriate knowledge, skill and understanding of essential core components. Essential core components include knowledge of: normal ranges of basic vital signs/measurements the significance of changes safe and accurate techniques for measuring/observing timely reporting and documentation of changes effective infection control measures informed/valid consent understanding of organisational policies and protocols, including
Table%20Observations%20for%20HCAs%20toolkit.docx