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Healthcare support workers

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In this section you will find learning resources aimed at Healthcare Support Workers (HCSWs) who work alongside Registered Healthcare Practitioner on delivery of the COVID-19 vaccination programme in Scotland. 

The workforce education resources contained within this page have been developed to support Healthcare Support Workers: 

  • At level 3 and 4 of the NHS Career Framework. 

  • Who have achieved education and training to level 6/7 of the Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework. 

  • With two years' experience as a HCSW. 

The following sections appear on this page:

Core Knowledge for HCSW COVID-19 Vaccinators
vaccine

You can find learning resources to support the development of core knowledge in this section:

  • Core Knowledge Learning Resource
  • Core Information Document
  • Coming soon - Core Learning Programme for HCSW COVID-19 Vaccinators

You will also find a version control log that highlights any updates made to the resources.

Intramuscular (IM) Injection Technique

IM

This short learning resource and video on intramuscular injections are intended to support practitioners administering COVID-19 Vaccines:

Vaccine Specific for COVID-19 Vaccinators
patient receiving vaccination

It is important to note that different COVID-19 vaccines may become available and that they will have different storage, dilution/reconstitution and administration requirements. You must be familiar with the specific recommendations for the COVID-19 vaccine you are delivering. 

You can find learning resources to support the development of vaccine specific knowledge in this section:  

  • Pfizer BioNTech learning resource 
  • Pfizer BioNTech Information document 
  • Pfizer BioNTech Proficiency document 
  • AstraZeneca learning resource 
  • Moderna learning resource

You will also find a version control log that highlights any updates made to the resources.

Webinars
webinar

In this section you can access the latest webinar recordings and slides. 

Managing people with allergies

 

A webinar to update practitioners on the current guidance and support for managing people with allergies in relation to COVID-19 vaccination was held on the 23rd of March 2021 and the recording can be viewed here. 

COVID-19 Vaccine update including Vaccine-associated Thrombosis and Thrombocytopaenia Syndrome (VATTS) associated with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine webinar 

 

COVID-19 Vaccine update including Vaccine-associated Thrombosis and Thrombocytopaenia Syndrome (VATTS) associated with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine webinar held on 21st of April recording can be accessed here.

Next Steps

To complete your preparation for administering the COVID-19 vaccine, it is suggested that you also consider undertaking the following in your local area: 

  • Basic Life Support 

  • Relevant statutory and mandatory training like infection prevention and control and sharps management 

Once you have completed the relevant learning resources it is suggested that you identify an experienced vaccination supervisor and complete the following: 

Self-declaration

The self-declaration tool enables you to evidence the learning you have completed from the TURAS Learn COVID-19 resources. Once completed the document can be uploaded into your portfolio and shared to provide evidence of your learning. 

How to use the tool 

Once you have completed the learning relevant to your role, download the self-declaration check list and indicate the resources that you have completed and then sign the self-declaration statement. 

Please note: vaccinators should ensure that you follow your local educational and clinical governance arrangements in relation to knowledge and proficiency (including clinical skills) to undertake vaccination.