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Healthcare support worker development

Two nurses talking

Nursing and Allied Health Profession Support Workers

A Career Frameworks for Healthcare Support Workers (HCSWs) working within Nursing or Allied Health Professional Currently was agreed in 2015. The purpose of this Framework is to provide a governance mechanism to inform the skills and career development of the Healthcare Support Worker (HCSW) workforce in NHS Wales.

The Framework is designed to make effective use of employees' capabilities in conjunction with the changing needs of the organisation, it is not however, a mechanism that guarantees an automatic route to promotion. It is based on National Occupational Standards (NOS) and competences, placing the focus on the skills and knowledge rather than the job or the role. As a result, this approach enables greater flexibility and transferability of staff. Individuals could move from working in one organisation to another, or alternatively individuals could move from one specialty/work area to another e.g. mental health to dietetic services.

Clinical induction

All new clinical healthcare support workers are required to attend the all Wales NHS accredited clinical induction programme. This is the first step of the Framework.

Facilities

Building on the development of A Career Frameworks for Healthcare Support Workers (HCSWs) working within Nursing or Allied Health Professional Currently (2015), NHS Wales identified and reviewed the educational and training programmes available for non-clinical staff.

As a part of the review the Level 2 Diploma in Facilities Services for Healthcare in Wales qualification, and the Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare management have been developed. These qualifications will support Facilities staff career progression and provide the basis of a governance mechanism for the Facilities Support Worker workforce in NHS Wales.

Healthcare science

Qualifications have been developed at Levels 3 and 4 to support the development of staff working at Bands 2, 3 and 4 within the various healthcare science disciplines. There are common mandatory units of learning at both levels and then specific optional units relevant to the roles and settings of the individuals undertaking the qualifications.