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Health Care Assistants’ join nurses’ and midwives’ in a Shared
Vision of Patient Care
Healthcare reform has opened many doors to enhance progress within
the healthcare environment. The Health Service Executive - South
Eastern Area began the development of the Healthcare Support
certificate for Health Care Assistants (HCAs) validated by the
Further Education Training Awards Council (FETAC) at Level 2 a
number of years ago.
This programme was piloted in the former SEHB in December 2001 to
August 2002. Fifty-one HCAs’ employed in health services across the
South Eastern Area have achieved this Healthcare Support Award. The
participants received their awards from Peter Finnegan, Acting Chief
Officer at a special ceremony in Waterford Regional Hospital. Peter
Finnegan congratulated all of the staff who achieved this important
FETAC award and urged staff to continue to develop new skills. The
Healthcare Support award is recognised both nationally and
internationally.
The course relies on both practical experience in the clinical area
and a theoretical component. The following modules have been at the
core of this programme; Care Skills, Care Support, Safety and Health
at Work, Communication, Work Experience (5 mandatory modules), Team
working, Palliative Care Support and Care of the Older person (3
elective modules). Theoretical competencies are gained through
assignments, learner records, projects and exams.
The philosophy, underpinning this course is based upon the
principles of adult learning. James O’Shea, Acting Director of the
Centre for Nurse Education says “This is a great opportunity for
participants to enhance their knowledge, develop their skills and
utilize their experience in the learning process”
Cathriona Greene, Acting Continuing Education Officer, believes
“that this programme gives recognition to the valuable work
undertaken by the HCAs’ within the nursing team”.
A total of ninety-six HCAs’ are currently undertaking this programme
in the South Eastern Area (42 in Waterford, 29 in Kilkenny and 25 in
Wexford) which has its completion date set for May / November 2005.
This group of HCAs’ are employed in the Acute General Hospitals,
Care of the Elderly Services, Intellectual Disability Centres and
Community Care Services. It is envisaged that the start date for the
next programme will be in September 2005.
For further information please contact Audrey Lambourn
Communications Manager, 086 221 5826 or 056 7784100
Photographs are available on request |
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