health and social care

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Course Handbook
A Note About This Handbook…
This handbook contains information applicable to you whether a General Practice Assistant
(GPA) trainee, your practice supervisor or practice educator. The first section provides details
of the course in terms of aims, learning outcomes and schedule of teaching sessions. It also
contains details of the assessment and the responsibilities of all those involved in the
supervision and assessment process. The handbook also contains information on reflection
and provides an example of how a reflective account by a GPA trainee might be compiled.
This is primarily to assist the GPA trainee but may also be of use to the supervisor and
educator. The handbook also contains other useful resources including links to websites and
study skills materials which all involved may find useful.
Course Handbook
Contents
Content
Welcome
Overview of the course
Course Aims
Course Outcome
Schedule of Sessions
Assessment Information
Suggested Reading & Learning Resources
Some Frequently Asked Questions
Factors To Consider When Managing Your Academic Study
Planning & Time Management
Accessing Specialist Support
Finding Information
Athens Accounts
What is Critical Thinking
Academic Writing
Referencing your Work
Managing Wellbeing
Appendix 1: Domains, Proficiencies & Assessment Criteria
Page Number
Page 4
Page 5
Page 6
Page 9
Page 13
Page 14
Appendix 2: Reflective Model Template – Using Gibbs Reflective Cycle Page 35
Appendix 2: Reflective Model Template – Using Gibbs Reflective Cycle
Page 16
Page 16
Page 16
Page 18
Page 19
Page 19
Page 19
Page 20
Page 21
Page 36
Welcome
Welcome to this part-time course which will prepare you for your future role as a GP
assistant (GPA). We hope you find this module informative and engaging, and most
importantly that it helps prepare for your role as a GPA.
The course has been accredited by the University of Greenwich at 20 credits, level 4. This is
the equivalent to 1/6 of the first year of an undergraduate programme of study. The course
lasts six months during which time you will be allocated one day/week protected learning
time, which is your day for formal study. Your study day will comprise both work-based
learning and a taught element via MS Teams.
The course is coordinated and led by the South-East London Workforce Development Hub
(WDH) on behalf of the five WDHs across London. The course is therefore delivered on a
Pan-London basis, all GPAs across London receiving the same training. Liz Nichols leads the
course on behalf of SELWDH and is also responsible for the learner experience of GPA
trainees in South East London. Each Integrated Care system (ICS) facing WDH has an
identified lead. This is important for you as depending on which ICS geography your practice
is based will determine who is your main point of contact. The name and contact details of
each lead are as follows:
Hub
South East London WDH
Named Lead
Liz Nicholls
Contact details
liz.nicholls@nhs.net
South West London TH
North West London TH
North Central London TH
North East London TH
TBC
TBC
TBC
TBC
TBC
TBC
TBC
TBC
This handbook provides you with information about the course, how it will be taught including
a schedule of sessions, and how it will be assessed. The handbook also outlines expectation
of you as a student and provides some direction on study skills development and the
principles of reflective practice. Whilst on the course you will be supervised on a day to day
basis; your supervisor may change according to working patterns and expertise. For example
the administrative component of the GPA role and associated learning may be supervised by
the practice manager or an experienced receptionist, whereas the clinical component of the
course will be supervised by a nurse or other clinician. Expectations of the supervisor are
outlined in this handbook as are the expectations of the practice educator. The practice
educator is the named GP who will ultimately assess whether you have achieved the
proficiencies required to be confirmed as having passed the course.
Throughout the course we will be seeking evaluative feedback. Please do use these
opportunities as evaluation is essential to ensuring the course meets your needs as well as
your employers and is an important element of continual improvement.
Many thanks
Liz and the Team
Overview of the Course
As a GPA you will form part of a multi-disciplinary team within primary care. You will be
providing an important support role, carrying out administrative tasks, combined with basic
clinical duties, helping to free up GPs time and contributing to the smooth running of
appointments, thereby improving patients’ experience in your surgery. In order to regularise
the role and training needed for GPAs, a national framework has been developed built
around five domains: Care; Administration; Clinical; Communications and; Managing Health
Records. Associated with these domains is a competency framework. The framework is
included as Appendix A. The domains have influenced the course design, content and
assessment so we suggest that you familiarise yourself with the framework as this will give
you a clear indication of the expectations of your role and therefore what is required of you
to successfully complete the course.
On this page the course aims and outcomes are expressed. An aim is what the course will do,
an outcome is the expectation of what you as the learner will be able to achieve by the end
of the course.
Course Aim:
The course aims to provide you with the knowledge and skills required to enable you to
effectively undertake your role as a GPAs.
Course Outcomes:
By the end of the course you will be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Promote physical and mental health well-being, demonstrating understanding of the
fundamental principles underpinning holistic person-centred care
Demonstrate the principles of patient confidentiality when documenting and sharing
patient data/information
Recognise what constitutes an appropriate environment for meeting patients’ needs
during assessment and sample collection
Explain the principles underpinning good communication and informed consent during a
patient consultation, demonstrating these principles in practice
Week Session Capabilities – The learner will….. Mapping
0
Introduction to the Course
Be familiar with course content and its relevance to the
GPA role.
Understand the assessment requirements.
Scope of Practice
1.
2.
3.
1
The clinical encounter/
consultation.
Understand differing consultation modalities
Understand the purpose of the consultation encounter
and common key lines of enquiry
Understand the key channels for communication within
the practice.
Understand common reasons for patient
dissatisfaction and the process for complaints.
1.
2.
3.
4.
1.1 – 1.6
2.1 – 2.9
3.1 – 3.7
2
Using and facilitating active
communication skills
Be able to implement and promote active
participation
Be able to support the individual’s right to make
choices
Demonstrate the use of resources to
support communication
Be able to demonstrate communication skills which aid
the patient consultation
1.
2.
3.
4.
4.1 – 4.4
5.1 – 5.3
6.1 – 6.9
7.1 – 7.2
3
The clinical examination Know common examination procedures used.
Recognise what constitutes a significant events and
can report appropriately
1.
2.
21.1 – 21.12
22.1
4
Person centred care Understand the application of person- centred
approaches in health and social care and can apply
this to general practice.
Be able to work in a person-centred way
Be able to promote individuals’ well-being
1.
2.
3.
1.1 – 1.2
2.1 – 2.3
3.1 – 3.4
5
Risk assessment and care
planning.
Understand the role of risk assessment in enabling a
person- centred approach
Be able to support the implementation of care plans
Be able to monitor a care plan
Be able to facilitate a review of care plans and their
implementation
1.
2.
3.
4.
4.1 – 4.3
5.1 – 5.3
6.1 – 6.3
7.1 – 7.5
6
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Understand the different views on the nature of mental
well-being and mental health and the factors that may
influence both during a patient’s life.
Know how to implement an effective strategy for
promoting mental well-being and mental health
with individuals and groups
1.
2.
12.1 – 12.3
13.1 – 13.3
Schedule of Teaching & Learning Activities
(i.e. w/c 2nd October – 4th Feb with 2 week Xmas break)
Week Session Capabilities – The learner will….. Mapping
7 Infection Control policy Understand roles and responsibilities in the prevention
and control of infections
Understand legislation and policies relating to
prevention and control of infections
Understand systems and procedures relating to the
prevention and control of infections.
Understand the importance of risk assessment in
relation to the prevention and control of infections.
1.
2.
3.
4.
8.1 – 8.2
9.1 – 9.2
10.1 – 10.2
11.1 – 11.3
8
Principles of infection control
practice
Understand the importance of using Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE) in the prevention and
control of infections including COVID-19
Understand the importance of good personal hygiene
in the prevention and control of infections
Understand the causes of infection
Understand the transmission of infection
1.
2.
3.
4.
7.1 – 7.8
8.1 – 8.6
9.1 – 9.6
10.1 – 10.5
9 Information Management Understand requirements for handling information in
health and social care settings
Be able to implement good practice in handling
information
Know ways to support individuals to access information
on services and facilities
Be able to work with individuals to select and obtain
information on services and facilities
Be able to work with individuals to access and use
information about services and facilities
Familiarisation with hospital, out of hours and other
communications, and key information to be extracted.
Be able to support the GP to complete common
administrative task
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
1.1 – 1.2
2.1 – 2.5
3.1 – 3.5
4.1 – 4.3
5.1 – 5.4
6.1 – 6.6
7.1 – 7.6
10 The surgery environment, policy
and practice.
Understand relevant legislation, policy and good
practice in relation to obtaining, carrying, testing and
storing specimens.
Understand how to prepare and manage environments
and resources for use during healthcare activities
Preparing environments, medical equipment, devices
and resources for use during healthcare activities.
Be able to ensure that environments and resources are
ready for their next intended use
Be able to prepare individuals to undergo healthcare
activities
Be able to support individuals undergoing healthcare
activities
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
1.1 – 1.2
2.1 -2.4,
3.1 – 3.9
4.1 – 4.8
5.1 – 5.9
6.1 – 6.6
Week Session Capabilities – The learner will….. Mapping
11 Principles and practice of informed
consent
Be able to establish consent when providing care or
support to a patient
1. 11.1 – 11.3
12 Principles and practice of obtaining
and testing specimens
Understand the processes involved in obtaining and
testing specimens from individuals
Prepare for and obtain specimens
Test specimens obtained
Report on the outcomes on the test of specimens to
the GP and patient
1.
2.
3.
4.
12.1 – 12.3
13.1 – 13.5
14.1 – 14.6
15.1, 15.2,
16.1, 16.4
13 Obtaining venous blood specimens 1Understand the anatomy and physiology relating to
obtaining venous blood samples
Preparing for and obtaining venous blood samples
Be able to prepare venous blood samples for
transportation
1.
2.
3.
17.1 – 17.3
18.1 – 18.4
19.1 – 19.7,
20.1
14 Managing written communications
including complaints.
Be able to use [GP] clinical records to gain and add
appropriate information.
Be able to summarise written information
Recording patient encounters
Harvesting information from letters
1.
2.
3.
4.
8.1 – 8.5
9.1
1.1 – 1.5, 2.1
2.3
3.1 – 3.4, 4.1– 4.5
15 Principles of chronic disease
management
Understanding drug history
Obtaining results of common tests on behalf of GP
Be able to navigate the population manager facility
system to support chronic disease management.
1.
2.
3.
5.1 – 5.2
6.1 – 6.4
7.1 – 7.3
16 Review of learning and clarification
of any outstanding issues. Course
evaluation
NA NA
Care Administration Clinical Communication Managing Health Records
Colour Coding to Show Application of Sessions to Domains across Schedule of Sessions
Assessment Information
Criteria for Assessing Domains One (care) and Three (clinical)
The assessment for this course requires you to gather a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate
that you have achieved the GPA proficiencies. A practice assessment document has been
devised which enables recording of your achievement and is included as Appendix B for
reference. You will be provided with a personal copy of a practice assessment document for
completion.
The practice assessment document is structured around the five domains, so that you are
assessed against proficiencies relating to: Care; Administration; Clinical; Communications;
Managing Health Records. The ‘care’ and ‘clinical’ domains require you to demonstrate
proficiencies that involve fundamental patient care. These proficiencies will be assessed using
the same criteria that are used to assess proficiency for year one undergraduate nursing
associate students as follows:
The criteria for assessing proficiencies against domains Two (administration), Four,
(communication) and Five (managing health records) are as follows:
Achieved Knowledge Skills Attitude and values
Yes Is able to identify the
appropriate knowledge
base required to deliver
safe, person centred care
under some guidance.
In commonly encountered
situations is able to
demonstrate appropriate
skills in the delivery of
person centred care with
some guidance.
Is able to demonstrate a
professional attitude in
delivering person centred
care. Demonstrates
positive engagement with
own learning.
No Is not able to
demonstrate an adequate
knowledge base and has
significant gaps in
understanding, leading to
poor practice.
Under direct supervision is
not able to demonstrate
safe practice in delivering
care despite repeated
guidance and prompting in
familiar tasks.
Inconsistent professional
attitude towards others
and lacks self-awareness.
Is not asking questions nor
engaging with own
learning needs.
Achieved Knowledge Level of performance Personal and
professional awareness
Yes Applies knowledge
appropriately providing a
rationale for actions
Confident / safe / efficient Conscious / deliberate
planning
No Lacks knowledge and
insight.
Lacks accuracy &
confidence; needing
continuous guidance &
supervision
Lacks insight into own
personal and
professional/work
behaviours
You will also be required to write reflective statements applied to domain 1 (care) and
Domain 3 (clinical). Your reflective statements should be structured using a recognised
reflective cycle (see page 15 of this handbook)
Methods of SUMMATIVE