Entry requirements:

Must have 2 years experience in the HCA role.

Immunisations

Course Introduction

This immunisation course is ideal for Health Care Assistants who are developing their roles and assisting with seasonal influenza clinics.
It has a comprehensive framework that covers the clinical skills needed to administer injections, along with the theoretical and legal background.

Constantly updated with new information about the latest outbreaks, this immunisation course covers influenza, pneumococcal, shingles and more. It’s based around the National Minimum Standards for Immunisation Training and the RCN, MDU position on health care assistants involved in immunisation. All participants leave the course with an individual Patient Specific Direction (PSD) protocol and a competency based framework. This can then be put to good use, under the supervision of a mentor. Stay confident and competent with this up-to-the-minute training about immunisation.

Aims and Objectives

  • A full understanding of the principles of vaccination
  • A comprehensive knowledge of the legal framework for Pneumococcal and Influenza vaccination programmes
  • A full understanding of safe practice when administering injections

Course Contents

  • The HCA’s role with immunisation
  • Legal issues- Indemnity
  • Competency and supervision
  • Understanding competence
  • Guidelines and protocols
  • PSDs in primary care
  • A brief introduction to the immune system
  • Virus or bacteria?
  • The signs and symptoms of influenza
  • Pneumococcal Disease-facts and figures
  • Influenza-facts and figures
  • Shingles
  • How vaccines work
  • What’s in the vaccine?
  • Infection control
  • Antivirals and antibiotics – how they work
  • Who’s legible for vaccination by HCAs- Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria
  • Chronic disease at risk patients
  • Administering vaccines
  • Injection technique and sites – a practical workshop
  • The storage and handling of a vaccine
  • Reporting and documentation
  • GDPR
  • Allergy and contraindication
  • Basic life support and initial anaphylaxis management
  • The legal framework of vaccination

B12 Injections and B12 Deficiency

Course Introduction

The course covers B12 deficiency, pernicious anaemia, diagnosis, treatment and management. It also covers sign and symptoms of pernicious anaemia. This course is interactive and we include case studies and discuss issues regarding diagnostic testing.
We review inclusion and exclusion criteria and identification of appropriate patients. Delegates will get the opportunity to review practice with hands on practical demonstrations of how to give injections correctly. We will cover administration techniques, where to give the injections and record keeping / documentation. We will discuss role and responsibilities and contraindications and precautions. The delegates will leave this course with an example of an individual protocol of Patient Specific Direction (PSD) and a competence based framework document to be used in practice. This course is very interactive.

Aims and Objectives

  • Understand the need for accountability and responsibility in relation to role development
  • Demonstrate an understanding of safe practice
  • Describe the signs and symptoms of pernicious anaemia
  • Describe pernicious anaemia and its impact on patients
  • Fully understand the principles, and practice B12 deficiency and B12 injections
  • Understand the importance of safety issues related to giving injections
  • Understand the law relating to role and function of the HCA and prescribing
  • Describe why people require B12 injections
  • Be able to correctly identify anatomical sites for injections
  • Demonstrate correct administration techniques
  • Demonstrate how to correctly dispose of waste
  • Demonstrate correct infection control procedures and use of PPE
  • Describe when patients require referral and understand the importance of referral using correct clinical pathways
  • Demonstrate an understanding of anaphylaxis and emergency procedures
  • Understand the need for correct prescribing procedures
  • Be able to document consultations following your organisations procedures

Course Contents

  • Role and responsibilities
  • Accountability guidelines and requirements
  • Pernicious anaemia
  • Blood- function
  • B12 Deficiency
  • Risk factors/groups
  • Causes of B12 deficiency
  • Diagnosis and reference ranges, testing
  • Protocols and guidelines
  • Factors affecting B12 diagnosis and treatment
  • Factors affecting absorption
  • B12 injections and common side effects
  • Could it be B12 Deficiency
  • Supplements
  • Side effects and management including ADR’s
  • Anaphylaxis
  • Contraindications and Precautions
  • Correct Administration and techniques including practical session
  • Injection sites
  • Legal Issues including consent
  • Prescribing
  • Patient Specific Directions
  • What to record
  • Storage
  • Disposal of injections/waste
  • Infection control
  • Needle stick injuries
  • Competence and supervised practice
  • Policies and procedures
  • Facts and Figures
  • Setting up and running a clinic
  • Insurance/indemnity
  • Research/evidence base and resources

This course is being partially funded by the Training Hub.

Please note that refreshments and lunch are not provided and you will need to bring your own.