This half day course is open to all Health Care Assistants who are currently working with clients that require regular vitamin B12 injections. The HCA should already have knowledge on the handling of sharps and ongoing annual CPR/anaphylaxis updates. In support of National Minimum Standards, HCAs that attend this course will be undertaking advanced clinical practice that requires professional maturity in their role and must be trained to or have the equivalent of NVQ 3.
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The course will explore Pernicious Anaemia before discussing injectable medicines and the governance for safe practice. The HCA will receive a workbook with the relevant paperwork for practice and a competency framework for completion in the workplace with mentor supervision.
Aims and Objectives
- To provide HCAS with the knowledge and skills required for the procedure of administering B12 injections
- To provide the HCA with resources, education and awareness of the legal issues, accountability and prescribing through delegation
- To provide the mechanisms for the HCA to be signed off as competent by a trained nurse in their workplace and follow the protocols and framework supplied for safe practice
Course Content
- The role of the HCA in extended practice
- What is Pernicious anemia
- What are the symptoms, causes and treatment of B12 deficiency
- How do I monitor patients with B12 deficiency
- How is B12 prescribed/ legal issues/ prescriptions: PSD
- What are the side effects/contraindications/follow up care/ anaphylaxis
- Record keeping/documentation/communication with patients/capacity/consent
- Injection administration and techniques including practical session
- Technique/route/infection control/safe handling and disposal of sharps
- Protocols/ competencies and supervised practice by mentor
Click here to book the afternoon session on Pneumococcal Vaccination Training, if required.