The Putney Healthcare Assistant programme


We are very pleased to announce that we are opening our Putney HCA Course to external candidates.

The aim of the programme is to enable HCAs to reflect on their practice and contribution to the health care team, broaden and deepen their knowledge and skills in the care and rehabilitation of adults who have highly complex neurological disorders.

The programme consists of five study days run over two weeks, and delivered via the virtual classroom and all resources in support of the course are located in the Learning Management System (LMS). There will be some additional self-directed learning which includes pre session reading. The course is delivered by a multi-disciplinary team of nurses, doctors, dentists and psychologists, with additional contributions form art therapists, and other allied health professionals. Topics include:

  • Transformative Care and Resilient Practice
  • The anatomy of the brain and impact of dysfunction on personhood
  • Ambiguous loss
  • Maintaining skin integrity best practice for continence care, mouth care matters
  • End of Life and palliative Care
  • Legal and ethical issues framing care of patients with neuro-disability practice
  • Celebrating and enhancing HCA identity and contribution
  • Risk management and patient safety
  • Making send of anguish and challenging behaviour
  • Interactions with families in challenging circumstances
  • Role modelling: acting as a buddy to colleagues

The course will run: 2-4 March and 14–15 March 2022.

Cost: £680 to external applicants.

Students are required to attend all five days to receive the award.

Admission criteria

All candidates must be Healthcare Assistants working in the field of neuro-disability care. Experience of complex and enduring neuro-disability practice is not essential but experience of care of patients with neurological deficits might be an advantage. Candidates will be interviewed following the submission of an application in which they make clear what they hope to gain from attending the programme. Candidates should evidence recent study or continuing professional development.

How to apply

If you are interested and would like to receive more information please contact course facilitator Maria Bakici at mbakici@rhn.org.uk

Closing date for applications: Monday 7 February 2022


Feedback

Comments from HCAs who have completed the programme include:

‘This is the best course I have ever been to …. It has given me so many ideas that I want to implement back on the ward. I will put myself forward to attend any course going.’

‘I really enjoyed the course. There was fun, honesty, reflection, sadness, happiness and a chance to really look at our role and how we can give the best care in a safe environment. I would recommend this course to all HCAs.’

‘The course gave lots of opportunity to express myself, share difference of opinion and learn from that discussion. The course helped me see how we all work together and are connected in supporting our clients, relatives and other staff. Thank you.’

‘I learned so much new knowledge and skills from the course I will share with my colleagues at work and tell them to participate in future programmes!’