Become a Certified Healthcare Assistant

This introductory lesson provides a comprehensive overview of career opportunities within the caregiving sector. It covers essential care standards and core principles, while exploring roles such as nursing assistants, healthcare assistants, care support associates, and support workers.

This comprehensive course addresses the standards, ethical dilemmas, and legal challenges confronting the healthcare industry, as outlined in professional and regulatory frameworks such as those established by the CQC and NHS. Topics covered include the Patient Bill of Rights, the duty of care with an emphasis on empathy and kindness, and an analysis of workplace violence prevention and control strategies. The course also examines employment and labor legislation, including standards for workers’ rights and harassment.

This section covers the procedures for controlling infectious diseases, including a review of Standard Precautions and guidelines from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). It also describes the isolation process, emphasizes proper hygiene practices, and demonstrates how to correctly wear personal protective equipment (PPE).

This section analyzes the consequences of prolonged physical inactivity, including muscle atrophy and arterial restriction. It provides step-by-step guidance on positioning, turning, ambulating, and transferring residents using various techniques and equipment, such as side-lying positioning, trichotomy, Trendelenburg position, canes, crutches, wheelchairs, mechanical lifts, and gait belts. The section also examines the role of continuous passive motion (CPM) devices.

In this section, we will identify the roles, structures, common health conditions, and age-related changes associated with several key body systems, including:

• Nervous System: Conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and multiple sclerosis

• Sensory System: Issues including cataracts, glaucoma, and neuropathy

• Musculoskeletal System: Conditions like arthritis, osteoporosis, and fractures

• Circulatory System: Disorders such as angina, coronary artery disease, and hypertension

This section covers the recognition and reporting of emergency situations, including asphyxia, stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA), anaphylaxis, seizures, hemorrhage, and other critical incidents. It also includes a demonstration of Basic Life Support (CPR) according to the minimum accepted standard of practice, as well as the performance of standard first aid.

This section focuses on interpreting and conveying information, data, and observations using appropriate vocabulary. It covers effective communication with residents, as well as the use of specific terminology, protocols, acronyms, and lexicons relevant to particular task domains in healthcare.

This section covers the purpose, influencing factors, and procedures for monitoring and documenting temperature, heart rate, respiration, blood pressure, height and weight, oxygen saturation, and other relevant parameters.

This section describes risk management practices within the healthcare setting, including the implementation of emergency measures and adherence to hazardous labeling regulations. It covers the handling and disposal of dangerous and contaminated materials in accordance with established guidelines and protocols. We will also review how to deliver care within the boundaries of our scope of practice, as well as how to safely and correctly use oxygen delivery devices. Additionally, cultural preferences are considered to ensure that personal care is provided in a respectful and individualized manner.

This section covers the determination of appropriate dietary requirements and alternative feeding techniques for residents. It includes an analysis of therapeutic diets and feeding apparatuses, as well as the measurement and recording of nutritional data such as meal percentages, intake, and output.

We will examine nutritional issues related to age-related changes (e.g., diminished taste perception and denture problems), situational factors (e.g., depression and dysphagia), and nursing assistant-led care components (e.g., sociability and comfort foods).

The section also identifies the medical, cultural, religious, and personal factors that influence dietary variations.

This section covers the measurement, calculation, and documentation of fluid intake and output in ounces and milliliters. It includes assistance with various elimination techniques, such as ostomy, urostomy, and Foley catheter care. Additionally, it addresses helping residents use the restroom, as well as attending to residents or patients who are incontinent or experiencing vomiting.

This section focuses on determining the ethical and legal acceptability of restraint methods. It examines alternatives to restraints, such as mobility alarms and protective door devices. Additionally, it covers how to monitor and report on the status of patients or residents while they are wearing protective equipment.

This section establishes the purpose and protocol for sump drains, gravity drainage systems, and the placement and care of residents or patients receiving tube feedings. It analyzes the consequences of incorrect placement and surgical gravity issues. Additionally, it covers how to determine and document intake and outflow.

This section establishes the purpose and protocol for using compression hose, binders, support devices, and anti-embolism stockings. It also covers how to report the patient’s or resident’s condition, observations, and reactions to dressings, bandages, and binders.

This section describes the procedures for admitting, transferring, and discharging a patient or resident. It also covers how to safely secure and manage resident or patient belongings and personal items in accordance with facility policies.

This section outlines the purpose and procedures for collecting, labeling, and submitting various samples for analysis in accordance with standard operating procedures. Sample types include sputum, feces, urine, and blood. It also covers diagnostic testing methods such as clean catch, sterile collection, culture and sensitivity, and 24-hour specimen collection.

This section establishes the purpose and procedures for assisting with preoperative and postoperative care in accordance with established protocols.

• Preoperative Care: Following protocols such as NPO (nothing by mouth) orders, verifying identification bands, and completing surgery checklists

• Postoperative Care: Adhering to protocols including identification band checks, airway maintenance, and managing nausea or vomiting (N/V)

This section describes and applies the Patient’s Bill of Rights, including the freedoms of choice and independence. It also covers providing assistance to family members and significant others as sources of social and emotional support. Additionally, it addresses facilitating scheduled leisure activities that promote social connections and support residents in achieving optimal wellness.

This section addresses the unique needs and developmental tasks that patients face across different stages of life. It explores the reasons behind certain behaviors and provides guidance on how to respond effectively to the needs of individuals with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and other cognitive or sensory impairments—including challenges such as cognitive decline, anger, depression, or unresponsiveness. Additionally, the section examines the specific requirements of residents with mental health diagnoses.

This section describes the stages of the dying process, grief, and death. It explains the role of hospice in providing end-of-life care. Guidance is provided on assisting with the final care of the patient or resident while offering support to the family, attending to their physical, spiritual, and cultural needs. Additionally, the purpose and protocol for postmortem care are established, including procedures for placement, respectful handling, attire, and organ donation.

Final Assessment of Training