Developing at level 4
Level 4 posts require a broader range of knowledge and skills across all four pillars of practice.
Level 4
At Level 4 you will be required to use your clinical skills to a higher level and to take greater responsibility within your role by accepting more delegated tasks from registered practitioners. You will need to demonstrate your knowledge and skills at Level 8 on the SCQF, for example by studying for a Diploma in Higher Education or Professional Development Award.
More more in-depth information, take the time to explore the HCSW Development and Education Framework and review the level 4 overview and pillars of practice (pages 32-41).
Tools to support development needs analysis and reflective self assessment
There are tools available to support for development as follows:
Development Needs Analysis Tool
This tool is available as a work document or an online form for each level of the Framework. It support you to identify your learning and development needs and uses the KSB statements and a self-assessment rating process. To access this tool go to the DNAT webpage.
Framework Reflective Self-assessment Tool
The reflective self-assessment tool is designed to help you evaluate the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) outlined in the Framework for your level of practice. It encourages you to reflect on your job role, identify areas for potential growth, and recognise opportunities for further development. Download the Reflective self-assessment tool from the link below:
Reflective self-assessment tool
- Reflective template ( Download, 447 KB)
Case studies: developing in level 4 roles
Support Workers can develop into Level 4 roles in different ways for example in Carol’s story she started as a domestic assistant then over many years became a Maternity Care Assistant in NHS Forth Valley after completing a Diploma in Higher Education at Robert Gordon’s University.
In Stephen’s story he demonstrates how Level 4 practitioners can apply service improvement skills and have a positive impact on the service they work in, in his case NHS Lothian Physio at Home team.
In Gemma's story she illustrates how Healthcare Support Workers can develop into leadership roles and how this has strengthening her leadership capabilities and increased her confiidence in her Clinical Support Worker Team Lead role within Hospital at Night team at NHS Ayrshire & Arran.
Case studies: development of level 4 roles and associated education
Please take the time to review the case studies from NHS Lothian and NHS Grampian on the approaches they took to establish level 4 Support Worker roles and associated education.
Find out more in the developing HCSW roles section