Healthcare Science Assistant

Healthcare Science Assistant

Skills Scan
A healthcare science assistant or healthcare science associate is a support role in the NHS. They work across a range of healthcare science areas, such as pathology laboratories and cardiology departments.

Healthcare science assistants and associates support assessment and diagnosis of disease and illness, and some work directly with patients every day.

The Healthcare Science Assistant (HCSA) support workforce contributes to safe patient care across all care pathways from conception to end of life in job roles within hospitals, general practice and other settings in the healthcare sector and across all areas of healthcare science.
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We need to ensure you require substantial learning and development to access a funded apprenticeship. You do not need to research topics to answer. This is about what you may already know or do, so we can get a baseline and create a personal learning programme. You may also wish to state areas you would like to develop further.

Please rate each question with Yes, Some or No

Please note if you answer Yes or Some to any of the questions, a drop-down box will appear and you will need to write about what you already know and/or do. If you have any qualifications, competency evidence or certification appliable to the question, it is very important you attach these to the OneFile learning assessment record (LAR) that you have opened to access this skills scan. Please ensure you always maintain confidentiality and avoid putting any names of colleagues/patients.

Duty 1:

Perform a range of routine technical and scientific procedures and services in accordance with standard operating procedures, policies and protocols
Knowledge, Skills & Behaviours - Performing Routine Technical and Scientific Procedures necessitates adherence to relevant legislation, standard operating procedures, codes of conduct, and established ways of working. It is crucial to understand and operate within the defined scope of one's role and recognise the limitations of personal competence.

Upholding probity, honesty, and integrity in professional practice is essential. Additionally, maintaining and promoting one's mental health, wellbeing, and resilience is vital to performing effectively and sustainably:
How well do you understand and apply the legislation, standard operating procedures, and codes of conduct relevant to your role while performing routine technical procedures?*

Yes/SomeNo
Please provide examples.
Can you describe how you ensure quality and accuracy when performing technical and scientific procedures?*

Yes/SomeNo
Please describe with examples.
Any developmental areas?*

Duty 2:

Select and prepare equipment and the environment for healthcare science procedures.
Knowledge, Skills & Behaviours - Performing this duty involves a comprehensive understanding of the diverse healthcare science services employed to investigate, diagnose, and treat diseases. It requires a solid grasp of the evidence base supporting technical practices relevant to the role.

The ability to provide general information, advice, and guidance about these services, as well as offering technical, evidence-based advice, is essential. This ensures that the selection and preparation of equipment and environment are done accurately and effectively, contributing to optimal patient care.:
How well do you ensure that the equipment you select and prepare is suitable and ready for use in healthcare science procedures?*

Yes/SomeNo
Please provide examples.
How effectively do you communicate technical and evidence-based advice and information relevant to your role?*

Yes/SomeNo
Please provide examples
Any developmental areas?*

Duty 3:

Carry out stock control of healthcare science equipment and consumables.
Knowledge, Skills & Behaviours - Carrying out stock control involves managing stock and equipment relevant to one's role, ensuring efficient and accurate inventory management. This requires adherence to established stock and equipment control policies, maintaining proper levels of supplies, and ensuring that equipment is in good working order.

Effective stock control is essential for the smooth operation of healthcare services and contributes to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the organisation:
How well do you manage and control stock and equipment to ensure availability and compliance with policies?*

Yes/SomeNo
Please provide examples.
Any developmental areas?*

Duty 4:

Support the provision of clinical care delivered to individuals and maintain client confidentiality.
Knowledge, Skills & Behaviours - Supporting Clinical Care and Maintaining Confidentiality requires a deep understanding of person-centred care principles and assisting the wider healthcare team in delivering such care. It involves recognising the significance of 'duty of care' and safeguarding, ensuring all provided care adheres to relevant standards.

Knowledge of the rights of individuals and the role in obtaining informed consent is crucial, as is following related policies and protocols. Additionally, upholding the principles of dignity, rights, and privacy is essential, along with helping individuals actively participate in making informed choices about their care:
How well do you support the provision of person-centered care while maintaining patient confidentiality and dignity?*

Yes/SomeNo
Please provide examples
How well do you assist healthcare professionals in enabling patients to make informed choices about their care?*

Yes/SomeNo
Please provide examples.
How do you support clinical tasks in a way that respects patients' rights and complies with legal and ethical standards?*

Yes/SomeNo
Please provide examples.
Any developmental areas?*

Duty 5:

Communicate effectively with individuals.
Knowledge, Skills & Behaviours - Communicating Effectively involves the ability to explain technical terms in clear, understandable language for diverse audiences. It requires proficiency in conveying basic information both verbally and in writing.

Recognising barriers to communication and employing techniques to address and overcome these obstacles is essential to facilitate understanding and ensure effective exchange of information:
How well do you address and overcome communication barriers with patients and colleagues?*

Yes/SomeNo
Please provide examples.
How well do you ensure your written and verbal communications are clear, accurate, and professional?*

Yes/SomeNo
Please provide examples
Any developmental areas?*

Duty 6:

Record, report and store information adhering to information governance and confidentiality requirements.
Knowledge, Skills & Behaviours - Recording, reporting, and storing information while adhering to information governance and confidentiality requirements involves understanding the critical importance of maintaining confidentiality and accurate record-keeping, including digital records.

It requires producing reliable data through precise logging, inputting, retrieving, and storing information in compliance with governance processes. Adhering to protocols for handling, escalating, or reporting complaints and difficult situations is essential. Commitment to the standards of good practice for the healthcare science professions is fundamental in this role:
How well do you ensure the accuracy, confidentiality, and security of the data you record and report?*

Yes/SomeNo
Please provide examples.
12) How well do you handle and report difficult situations or complaints effectively and professionally?*

Yes/SomeNo
Please provide examples.
Any developmental areas?*

Duty 7:

Support a multidisciplinary healthcare team.
Knowledge, Skills & Behaviours - Supporting a Multidisciplinary Healthcare Team involves understanding the significance of working within a multi-professional team and recognising the impact of healthcare science on broader service delivery.

It requires effective collaboration within the healthcare science team and the larger multidisciplinary team. Knowing where to seek help and support and adhering to delegation, reporting, and escalation protocols are crucial.

Demonstrating leadership and role modeling appropriate to one's role, as well as being aware of personal strengths, limitations, and behaviors, is essential. Contributing to a supportive environment for colleagues further enhances team effectiveness and cohesion:
How well do you contribute to and support the multidisciplinary healthcare team in your role?*

Yes/SomeNo
Please provide examples.
How well do you demonstrate leadership and act as a role model within your team?*

Yes/SomeNo
Please provide examples.
Any developmental areas?*

Duty 8:

Maintain a healthy, safe and secure workplace.
Knowledge, Skills & Behaviours - Maintaining a Healthy, Safe, and Secure Workplace requires understanding and adhering to relevant health and safety legislation and policies, ensuring safe working practices. It involves comprehending the concept of risk and actively participating in risk assessments and management processes. Responding appropriately to potentially harmful situations, such as critical incidents or emergencies, is crucial.

Knowledge of safe lifting and handling principles for individuals, equipment, and other items is essential, as is applying infection prevention and control techniques. Additionally, handling hazardous materials and substances safely, in accordance with guidelines and procedures, is a vital aspect of maintaining workplace safety:
How well do you ensure your workplace complies with health, safety, and security legislation and policies?*

Yes/SomeNo
Please provide examples.
How well do you manage risks and respond to emergencies in your role?

Yes/SomeNo
Please provide examples.
Any developmental areas?*

Duty 9:

Contribute to audit, innovation or research within scope of own role
Knowledge, Skills & Behaviours - Contributing to Audit, Innovation, or Research involves understanding and adhering to quality procedures, improvement protocols, and relevant regulations to meet healthcare science standards. It includes participating in the audit cycle to help maintain and enhance service quality.

Recognising the importance of delivering high-quality outcomes and fostering continuous improvements, including sustainability, is crucial. Offering suggestions for service enhancements and staying updated on emerging practices is encouraged. Additionally, working within the regulatory frameworks governing research, ethics, and innovation, and assisting in service improvement, innovation, or research within the scope of one’s role, is essential:
How well do you participate in audit and quality improvement processes to enhance service delivery?*

Yes/SomeNo
Please provide examples.
How well do you support innovation and research within your scope of practice?*

Yes/SomeNo
please provide examples.
Any developmental areas?*

Duty 10:

Maintain and develop own competence.
Knowledge - Maintaining and developing own competence involves engaging in reflective behaviors and self-reflection to enhance the quality of patient care and ensure up-to-date knowledge and skills. It includes actively participating in appraisals and performance reviews, contributing to ongoing professional development.

Preparing for performance reviews and developing action plans based on their outcomes, as well as responding constructively to feedback, are crucial for continuous improvement and professional growth:
How well do you reflect on your practice and seek opportunities for professional development?*

Yes/SomeNo
Please provide examples
How well do you prepare for and engage in performance reviews and appraisals to support your professional growth?*

Yes/SomeNo
Please provide examples.
Any developmental areas?*

Thank you for completing your skills scan

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Managers Email : {email8}

Reminder: your completed skills scan will be emailed to you immediately, please upload to the skills scan learning assessment record on OneFile, with any other evidence. This is very important as your allocated coach will review before the planning meeting.

Please inform your manager they will receive your skills scan.

At the planning meeting with your coach, your line manager will be asked to confirm it is correct and /or identify further areas of development.
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