Policy for an Enhanced Health Care Support Worker Role in Child health V4.0 November 2016
Table of Contents 1. Introduction... 3 2. Purpose of this Policy/Procedure... 3 3. Definitions / Glossary... 3 4. Ownership and Responsibilities... 3 4.2. Role of the Managers... 3 4.3. Role of Individual Staff... 3 5. Standards and Practice... 4 5.1. Enhanced Skills... 4 5.2. Administration of Pharmaceuticals... 4 6. Dissemination and Implementation... 5 7. Monitoring compliance and effectiveness... 5 8. Updating and Review... 5 9. Equality and Diversity... 6 9.2. Equality Impact Assessment... 6 Appendi 1. Governance Information... 7 Appendi 2. Initial Equality Impact Assessment Form... 9 Page 2 of 10
1. Introduction 1.1. Healthcare Support Workers (HCSW) are an integral part of the Child Health Nursing team an enhanced scope has been agreed by ward managers within the directorate. 1.2. This version supersedes any previous versions of this document. 2. Purpose of this Policy/Procedure 2.1. This policy has been developed to support those who have undertaken and successfully completed both the Healthcare Support Worker Core and Specialist Competencies within the Child Health directorate. 3. Definitions / Glossary 3.1. Healthcare Support Workers (HCSW) 4. Ownership and Responsibilities 4.1. All registered professionals have a duty of care; this cannot be delegated at any time. The professional delegating a care procedure to a Healthcare Support Worker must ensure its appropriateness, effectiveness, and that any results are acted upon promptly. Healthcare Support Workers must always work under the guidance of a registered professional. It is the responsibility of the Clinical Area manager to ensure competencies have been attained prior to unsupervised practice. The practitioner is responsible for ensuring competency is maintained through continual development and self-appraisal. 4.2. Role of the Managers Line managers are responsible for: To support HCSW s wishing to undertake the enhanced role and to ensure competencies have been attained prior to unsupervised practice. To ensure a member of Nursing/ Registered staff is available to oversee and support HCSW. 4.3. Role of Individual Staff All staff members are responsible for: Healthcare Support Workers to always work under the guidance of a registered professional. To ensure they are working within their code of conduct. Page 3 of 10
5. Standards and Practice 5.1. Enhanced Skills Under this protocol Healthcare support workers with proven proficiency may undertake the following procedures under the guidance of the registered professional caring for the patient. Passing of a Nasogastric Tube Care of the Jaundiced Child (Phototherapy) Assist in wet wrapping Assist in Traction Blood sampling via a heel prick Tracheostomy care 12 Lead ECG monitoring Venepuncture (child) Please Note:- HCSW s must have already completed the Trust Assessment and Recording of Patient Observations and PEWS Supervised Practice & Assessment WORKBOOK And Paediatric core competency pack. Official sign must be completed prior to commencing the enhanced skills pack. 5.2. Administration of Pharmaceuticals An HCSW with enhanced skills is not permitted to administer or supply pharmaceuticals to patients/parents. During interventions requiring medication, a registered professional cannot delegate the procedure; the HCSW has only a supportive role. 5.3. Documentation As per Trust Policy a registered Nurse must countersign all documentation by a HCSW within the nursing notes. All entries are to be in keeping with the RCHT Standards of Record Keeping. 5.4. Training and Development 5.4.1 Acquiring Competency In order to undertake this role, the HCSW will undertake both theoretical and practical learning in order to ensure safety and efficiency. Knowledge and understanding will be tested using self-directed methods supported by classroom teaching and vocational learning. Successful completion of the theory components of the tasks will be followed by a period of supervised practice. A registered professional will directly supervise the HCSW until competency and a consistent level of good practice has been agreed. On achieving clinical competency, the HCSW is signed off by a senior registered practitioner and able to practise the skill with indirect supervision. A self-directed learning pack has been developed to support this process; this compliments previously available resources from the Practice Development Department but also provides verification of ability in new areas of practice. Each competency is only valid with a signature from a Senior State Registered Healthcare Professional within the Child Health Directorate. Page 4 of 10
5.4.2 Maintaining Competency Individuals are responsible for maintaining their clinical competence. The enhanced role HCSW operates under indirect supervision of a registered practitioner. Any areas of in need of development should be identified and addressed immediately to remove any risk to patients or staff. All members of the Child Health team undergo an annual appraisal in-line with agenda for change/ksf requirements. All HCSW undertaking this etended role are epected to present a portfolio of evidence demonstrating their initial competency and then, how the skills have been maintained. Failure to maintain proficiency will lead to re-assessment. This enhanced HCSW role allows for a greater fleibility within the child health without compromising standards of care. The responsibility and accountability for patient care remains with the tending professional team, the HSCW will always operate under their guidance. However, these dedicated specialist skills for healthcare support worker employed within the Child health Directorate allow for an epanded area of practice. The training and development methods ensure patient safety; the appraisal process for assures continued competency. 6. Dissemination and Implementation 6.1. All HCSW s commencing enhanced role will be issued with this policy, it will be made available to all ward staff and managers. 7. Monitoring compliance and effectiveness Element to be monitored Lead Tool Frequency Reporting arrangements Acting on recommendations and Lead(s) Change in practice and lessons to be shared Correct use, completion and support for HCSW s undertaking enhanced skills. Nursing staff /Ward managers Observation and checking of completed packs. Per person on completion Ward manager or refer for further training with mentor. Feedback between HCSW and mentor/ ward manager. Required changes to practice will be identified and actioned. A lead member of the team will be identified to take each change forward where appropriate. Lessons will be shared with all the relevant stakeholders. 8. Updating and Review 8.1. This Policy will be reviewed every 3 years or at time of change in practice. Page 5 of 10
9. Equality and Diversity 9.1. This document complies with the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust service Equality and Diversity statement. This document complies with the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust service Equality and Diversity statement which can be found in the 'Equality, Diversity & Human Rights Policy' or the Equality and Diversity website. 9.2. Equality Impact Assessment 9.3. The Initial Equality Impact Assessment Screening Form is at Appendi 2. Page 6 of 10
Appendi 1. Governance Information Document Title Date Issued/Approved: November 2016 Date Valid From: November 2016 Date Valid To: November 2019 Policy for the enhanced health care support worker role in child health. Directorate / Department responsible (author/owner): Tabitha Fergus Practice development nurse Contact details: 01872 252596 Brief summary of contents Supporting policy for HCSW s wishing to undertake an enhanced role within child health directorate. Suggested Keywords: Target Audience Eecutive Director responsible for Policy: Page 7 of 10 Health care support worker Child health Enhanced role RCHT PCH CFT KCCG Eecutive director Date revised: November 2016 This document replaces (eact title of previous version): Approval route (names of committees)/consultation: Divisional Manager confirming approval processes Name and Post Title of additional signatories Name and Signature of Divisional/Directorate Governance Lead confirming approval by specialty and divisional management meetings Signature of Eecutive Director giving approval Publication Location (refer to Policy on Policies Approvals and Ratification): Document Library Folder/Sub Folder Policy for the enhanced health care support worker role in child health.v3.0 Practice development forum Ward managers Division guidelines meeting Helen Ross-Magill Not Required {Original Copy Signed} Name: {Original Copy Signed} Internet & Intranet Intranet Only paediatrics
Links to key eternal standards Related Documents: Training Need Identified? none RCHT consent policy RCHT Patient identification policy RCHT Standards of record keeping No Version Control Table Date April 2007 June 2010 Version No V1.0 Initial Issue V2.0 Review and update Summary of Changes Changes Made by (Name and Job Title) Naomi Burden practice development Tabi Fergus deputy ward manager Naomi Burden practice development Tabi Fergus deputy ward manager Oct 2013 V3.0 Review and re format Tabi Fergus deputy ward manager Nov 2016 V4.0 Review and re format Tabi Fegus Practice development nurse child health All or part of this document can be released under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 This document is to be retained for 10 years from the date of epiry. This document is only valid on the day of printing Controlled Document This document has been created following the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust Policy on Document Production. It should not be altered in any way without the epress permission of the author or their Line Manager. Page 8 of 10
Appendi 2. Initial Equality Impact Assessment Form Name of the strategy / policy /proposal / service function to be assessed (hereafter referred to as policy) (Provide brief description): Policy for the Enhanced HCSW role in child health. Directorate and service area: Child health Is this a new or eisting Policy? eisting Name of individual completing Telephone: 01872 25 2596 assessment: T.Fergus 1. Policy Aim* HCSW in child health wishing to take on an enhanced role. Who is the strategy / policy / proposal / service function aimed at? 2. Policy Objectives* Top provide support and guidance 3. Policy intended Outcomes* 4. *How will you measure the outcome? 5. Who is intended to benefit from the policy? 6a) Is consultation required with the workforce, equality groups, local interest groups etc. around this policy? Competently signed off and supported HCSW s in enhanced role. Annual PDR HCSW, ward staff, ward managers. no b) If yes, have these *groups been consulted? C). Please list any groups who have been consulted about this procedure. 7. The Impact Please complete the following table. Are there concerns that the policy could have differential impact on: Equality Strands: Yes No Rationale for Assessment / Eisting Evidence Age Se (male, female, transgender / gender reassignment) Page 9 of 10
Race / Ethnic communities /groups Disability - Learning disability, physical disability, sensory impairment and mental health problems Religion / other beliefs Marriage and civil partnership Pregnancy and maternity Seual Orientation, Biseual, Gay, heteroseual, Lesbian You will need to continue to a full Equality Impact Assessment if the following have been highlighted: You have ticked Yes in any column above and No consultation or evidence of there being consultation- this ecludes any policies which have been identified as not requiring consultation. or Major service redesign or development 8. Please indicate if a full equality analysis is recommended. Yes No 9. If you are not recommending a Full Impact assessment please eplain why. No areas indicated. Signature of policy developer / lead manager / director T.fergus Date of completion and submission Nov 16 Names and signatures of members carrying out the Screening Assessment 1. 2. Keep one copy and send a copy to the Human Rights, Equality and Inclusion Lead, c/o Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, Human Resources Department, Knowledge Spa, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3HD A summary of the results will be published on the Trust s web site. Signed T. Fergus Date Nov 16 Page 10 of 10