First steps for healthcare assistants

The RCN has created an update resource for healthcare assistants entering the profession. The course was developed around the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework, and is designed to improve healthcare assistants understanding of clinical and professional skills. Some of the topics covered by the resource include hygiene, infection prevention, communication and public health promotion. The updated edition includes features such as a reflective section at the end of each module that can be worked in to revalidation portfolios, more detailed information about caring for patients with mental health conditions and learning disabilities, and tests on clinical skills such as assessing skin.