Clinical Healthcare Support Level 3 - Qualification
Overview
This qualification is for senior health care assistants primarily working within a clinical role, providing delegated nursing support to individuals accessing Welsh health services under the direction of a registered practitioner. It also provides the basis for continuing professional development for healthcare assistants.
To undertake this qualification, learners must be employed by Welsh health services in roles where clinical skills are central to their role. The qualification was developed to provide better governance of practice in Wales through external quality assurance.
It is the preferred qualification for NHS Wales senior health care assistants in nursing support roles, and it is expected that all clinical support staff will have the opportunity to complete the qualification and/or to achieve elements of it for continuing professional development to support changes in practice over time.
Key information
Learners must be 18 years old or over to undertake this qualification, and be employed in roles where clinical healthcare is either all or part of their work.
The qualification is delivered through a combination of taught sessions in classes and 1:1 support.
A combination of mandatory and optional units will need to be completed, making a total of at least 60 credits.
Learners are required to build a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding and their competence in practice.
A range of assessment methods can be used such as:
- Direct observation of practice
- Written assignments
- Oral questioning/professional discussion
The qualification consists of mandatory and optional units.
Mandatory units
- Duty of care
- Health and safety
- Communication
- Minimising infection
- Safeguarding
Optional units
- Maintaining quality standards
- Supporting at end of life
- Obtain venous blood samples
- Promote mental health and wellbeing
- Learners achieving this qualification will be qualified to practice clinical healthcare roles at skills Level 3
- The qualification has been developed to provide an entry point to Level 4 education and skills