COMPETENCIES FOR HEALTHCARE ASSISTANT IN SEXUAL HEALTH (BAND 3) Dimension Level Indicators Areas of application to nursing practice Achieved - Signature and Date 1. Communication Level 2 Communicate with people on a range of matters. a) Communications with a range of people on a range of matters in a form that is appropriate to them and the situation. a) Establish and maintains relationships with staff, clients and significant others within the working environment. The postholder will maintain excellent working relationships with external agencies such as pharmacy, laboratories and TSSU. Directs clients to information resources including the library facilities. b) Improves the effectiveness of communication through the use of communication skills. b) Communicates both verbally and non verbally, recognising the importance of each, giving and receiving information through telephone and face to face.i.t. systems, intranet, e-mail communication in an appropriate manner at a level which ensures compliance and understanding. Participates in filing and both written and electronic record keeping as per NHS Board s guidelines. Requires good listening skills when taking instructions from clinicians. Supports anxious clients who need reassurance about attending the service, or clients with highly sensitive sexual health issues or who may be distressed during examination. Always informs clients what is about to be carried out and gains their consent. Employs effective telephone communication to deal with queries and requests for test results 1
c) Constructively manages barriers to effective communication. c) Identifies barriers to communication and actively seeks ways in which to break these down, e.g., locating an interpreter / signer. Is aware of self image and communication strengths and weaknesses. d) Keeps accurate and complete records consistent with legislation, policies and procedures. d) All documentation completed is accurate legible and complete b) Communicates in a manner that is consistent with relevant legislation, policies and procedures. e) Communicates with knowledge of confidentiality, Freedom of Information and Data Protection policies. Understands the additional importance of confidentiality in sexual health. Reports any failures in communication to an appropriate member of staff. f) Communicates in a manner appropriate to the individual f) Approaches patients and staff in a sensitive manner which reflects understanding of their individuality. Demonstrates a good basic grasp of equalities issues and how they can affect patients attending sexual health services 2. Personal and People Development Level 1 Contribute to own personal development a) With the help of others identifies - whether s/he can carry out the tasks within a) Undertakes the tasks delegated within the role of the job and carries these out in a professional manner. Acknowledges limitations in knowledge and skill level and is aware of when to ask for help, 2
own job - what s/he needs to learn to do current job - when s/he needs help guidance and assistance, seeking constructive feedback from key people to enable the development of practice. Identifies new skills and knowledge, relevant to, and which can improve, work activities. Shows willingness to learn new skills and face new challenges. b) Reviews his/her work against the KSF outline for his/her reviewer and identifies own learning needs and interests. b) & c) Is able to identify current and future development needs in line with personal development plan connected to the KSF. This will be supported by undertaking clinical supervision. Reflects on own practice to enhance knowledge. Undertakes further training to meet development needs identified in personal development plan. 2. Personal and People Development Level 1 Contribute to own personal development c) Provides with his/her reviewer a personal development plan. d) Takes active part in agreed learning activities and keeps a record of them. c) & d) Participate in training appropriate to the job role and maintains an account of this development, in a personal development plan e) Evaluates the effectiveness of learning activities for own development and the job. e) Reflects on suitability of learning activities through evaluation forms and feedback to the appropriate person, and the experience of utilising new skills in improved patient care. 3
3. Health, Safety and Security Level 1 Assist in maintaining own and others health, safety and security a) Acts in ways that are consistent with legislation, policies and procedures for maintaining own and others health, safety and security. b) Assists in maintaining a healthy, safe and secure working environment for everyone who is in contact with the organisation. Ensures fitness for practice within the working environment. a) Works in a way that reduces risk to staff and others regarding health, safety and security. Demonstrates competence and sensitivity when chaperoning and adhering to client confidentiality principles. Demonstrates knowledge and skills when setting up and cleaning clinical areas. Assisting at clinical procedures within competence. Cleans and checks equipment to comply with health and safety and infection control policies. Maintains records of the cleanliness standards and contributes to the smooth running of clinical areas. Demonstrates an understanding of the principles of labelling, preparation, storage and transportation of specimens and samples and has knowledge of the service s laboratory procedures. Has knowledge of healthcare acquired infection and decontamination of instruments. Adopts the recommended standards in hand hygiene. Also knowledge of policies relating to clinical waste and sharps disposal. b) Ensures when working that any equipment used is in good working order and has been appropriately tested to ensure compliance with Health and Safety policy. Reports any areas of concern to the appropriate registered practitioner. Under direction of the clinical team, provide hostess function to clients recovering from procedures performed within the clinical area. Directs and transfers clients between clinical areas. Challenges and raises concerns about potentially dangerous practice. Knowledge of the COSHH equipment. Safe storage of oxygen cylinders and emergency 4
equipment and safe handling of liquid nitrogen. Is alert to situations which may provide risk in the environment, for example, patients who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. c) Works in a way that minimises risks to health, safety and security. c) Ensures attendance at all mandatory training requirements and adheres to moving and handling and infection control policies. Wears correct protective clothing appropriate to the activities undertaken. d) Summons immediate help for any emergency and takes the appropriate action to contain it. d) Is able to summon help in emergencies and reports any issues that are felt to be unsafe. Provides ongoing support within level of competence until qualified members of staff arrive at the emergency. e) Reports any issues at work that may put health, safety and security at risk. e) In line with legislation, policies and procedures is aware of child protection/vulnerable adult issues and reports areas of concern to the accountable professional practitioner. Recognises signs and symptoms that individuals may be in danger of harm and abuse or have been harmed and abused. Ensure that the individual is aware of your responsibility to disclose information about dangerous, harmful or abusive situations. Recognises potential hazards in the work environment. Reports health and safety issues to the appropriate person and carries out Datix or adverse event documentation according to legal and organisational requirement, seeking clarity if necessary on what is required for the content. 5
4. Service Improvement Level 1 Make changes in own practice and offer suggestions for improving services a) Discusses with line manager/work team the changes that need to be made in own practice and the reason for them. a) & b) & d) Discusses with colleagues any developments that are felt could be improved upon and adapt own practice as agreed. Passes over feedback from clients to help service improvement. b) Adapts own practice as agreed and to time seeking support if necessary. c) Effectively carries out tasks related to evaluating services when asked. c) Completes service evaluation forms and questionnaires as requested. Takes part in Audit programmes when required. d) Passes on to the appropriate person constructive views and ideas on improving services for users and the public. e) Alerts line manager/work team when direction, policies and strategies are adversely affecting users of services or the public. e) Informs Line Manager / work team of any problems adversely affecting any area of own work. 6
5. Quality Level 1 Maintain quality of own work a) Complies with legislation, policies, procedures and other quality approaches relevant to the work being undertaken. a) & e) Complies with all relevant policies and procedures connected to the work role. Acts as a role model within the defined role. Ensures consent and acts as patent advocate within the boundaries of the role. b) Works within the limits of own competence and responsibility and refers issues beyond these limits to relevant people. b) Being aware of limitations within the job role and seeks help and advice from senior staff as required. Recognises own role and those of others within the wider sexual health team. Supports operational activity within the clinical areas. Will work without direct supervision and is accountable to the registered nurse. 5. Cont d Quality Level 1 Maintain quality of own work c) Acts responsibly as a team member and seeks help if necessary. d) Uses and maintains resources efficiently and effectively. c) & d) Works within the team and is aware of the need to work efficiently and effectively regarding the use of all resources. Prioritises workload, Identifies any problems arising and seeks help and assistance if they cannot be solved easily or within competence. Offers praise to team members when team activities have been carried out effectively. Supports team members undertaking new tasks. e) Reports problems as they arise, solving them if possible. 7
6. Equality and Diversity Level 2 Support equality and value diversity a) Recognises the importance of people s rights and acts in accordance with legislation, policies and procedures. b) Acts in ways that - acknowledge and recognise people s expressed beliefs, preferences and choices - respect diversity - value people as individuals a) Has knowledge of NHS Board equalities policies and has a basic understanding of the key equality and diversity issues in their NHS Board a) & b) Is aware and appreciates people s rights and beliefs in how they like to be addressed and values them as individuals regarding: - cultural and religious beliefs - respecting privacy and dignity - information they are given - the support they would like - preferences regarding food and drink - sexual orientation - Ensuring the safety of all when carrying out work activities. c) Takes account of own behaviour and its effects on others. c) Remains accountable for own behaviour and its effect on others. Ensures behaviour does not contribute to potentially harmful or abusive situations. d) Identifies and takes action when own or others behaviour undermines equality and diversity. d) Is able to identify both passive and deliberate discrimination and acts in line with procedures, reporting to the appropriate person in order that the situation can be dealt with. 8
Dimension Level Indicators Areas of application to nursing practice Achieved - Signature and Date G3 Procurement and Commissioning Level 1 Monitor, order and check supplies of goods or services a) Monitors resource use and arranges for more - when this is necessary - within limits of own responsibility and authority - consistent with legislation, policies and procedures for commissioning and procurement a) Monitors stock control of clinical rooms e.g. leaflets, stock control of pharmacy, supplies of sundries. Orders and replenishes stock appropriately. Has knowledge of stock rotation including the principles of storage and safety of medicines. 13 b) Checks the delivery of goods or services and identifies any issues. c) Takes the appropriate action in relation to issues with goods and / or services communicating effectively with those involved to address the issues. b) c) & e) Checks and reports to the appropriate person any problems or shortfalls in relation to the goods and or services, supplies Reports to the appropriate authority resources or supplies required outwith own responsibility. Maintains accurate records of the goods/services supplied and passes to the appropriate person. d) Support effective use of goods / and or services consistent with requirements and specifications. d) Controls and stores goods and materials appropriately in line with policies, procedures and protocols. e) Reports on the delivery of goods and or services and any issues in line with requirements. 9
Dimension Level Indicators Areas of application to nursing practice Achieved - Signature and Date 7. Interventions and Treatment Competently assists staff and monitors a) Has knowledge of the concepts of holistic care, treatment planning and shared decision making clients undergoing treatment Assists with the collection of specimens from clients as appropriate to role Communicates with the laboratories regarding specimens including the accurate completion of request forms Ensures that accurate information is conveyed to the laboratory on specimens and request forms Is aware of own limits in the role b) Recognises the need for interventions and treatments Assists with basic life support and emergency situations c) Has knowledge of guidelines, protocols and procedures used by the department and the organisation including consent, confidentiality, SCCRS etc d) Understands the importance of hygiene and infection control especially in relation to hand hygiene and sterile procedures Accurately completes clinic swab books as appropriate to role Contributes to the correct storage and transport of specimens as appropriate Handles and stores liquid nitrogen according to Health Board guidelines Knows how and where to get help in an emergency situation Acts as clients advocate Acknowledges clients dignity and privacy Deals appropriately with sterile and used instruments 10
Dimension Level Indicators Areas of application to nursing practice Achieved - Signature and Date 8. Biomedical Investigation and Intervention a) Understands the rationale behind obtaining specimens Provides explanations about investigations to clients within limits of competence b) Recognises potential health and safety risks to clients and staff Competently carries out venepuncture following NHS Board guidelines Is aware of the limits of own competence c) Knows what to do in event of an incident, for example, a needlestick Reports any incidents promptly to manager d) Understands the policy and procedure of the organisation Undertakes pregnancy testing Obtains specimens for Chlamydia testing Handles specimens carefully and labels forms and specimens correctly for onward transmission to the laboratory e) Understands the concept of consent Understands the concept of obtaining valid consent Takes notice of clients fears and anxieties Recognises that consent may be withdrawn at any time 11