Healthcare Assistant Skills Assessment | Ireland

Assessment 1 – Skills Demonstration

As a healthcare assistant you are working with a Retirement Group in your local day care unit. Your supervisor has asked you to assist with recreational activities. She has asked you to develop an activity for one of your clients

1. Submit a 5-minute video (What’s app) recording to your tutor following the introduction of instructions on page 2

• Please submit one completed recording as per your tutor’s instruction.
• At the start of your recording hold up a page to the camera with your name clearly written and introduce your name

2. Submit a written documentation to reflect on the learning during the skills demonstration identifying where you clearly implement the following – Word count: 500 words

• Thorough organisation and preparation of the task, including identification of clients’ needs
• Careful execution of the task
• Effective communication throughout the task
• Effective use of relevant safety and health practices

Assessment Criteria

• Thorough organisation and preparation of the task, including identification of clients’ needs (15 marks)
• Careful execution of the task (15 marks)
• Effective communication throughout the task (10 marks)
• Effective use of relevant safety and health practices (10 marks)
• Comprehensive record of the task (10 marks)

Please only choose Client A OR B to complete this Assessment

Client A

You are required to record a practical skills demonstration where you will be required to assist a person with sight impairment in completing a recreational activity that promotes their independence while promoting any ethnic and cultural preferences. The demonstration should include the following:

Identify and explain the activity you have planned

1. Effective Communication:

• Show how you would introduce yourself
• Use clear, descriptive language to guide the person in a respectful and empowering way
• Demonstrate how to check for understanding and listen attentively to any needs or preferences

2. Guiding Techniques:

• Demonstrate safe and effective methods for guiding a person with sight impairment. This may involve guiding them through a space, helping them navigate obstacles, or assisting them with seating.
• Explain and demonstrate the use of mobility aids, if applicable and encouraging at all time freedom of choice

3. Awareness of the Environment:

• Display an understanding of how to describe the environment in a clear and concise manner, using verbal cues to highlight important information, such as changes in flooring obstacles, or hazards.
• Ensure the environment is safe and accessible, taking into consideration the needs of a person with sight impairment.

Client B

You are required to record practical skills demonstration in which you assist a person with arthritis in completing a recreational activity. This demonstration should reflect your knowledge of arthritis, your ability to use appropriate techniques and tools, and your sensitivity to the individual’s experience that promotes their independence while promoting their ethnic and cultural preferences. The demonstration should include the following:

Identify and explain the activity you have planned

Effective Communication

• Clearly explain the task you are assisting with and check if the person has any specific preferences or needs
• Use active listening and ask how they are feeling, adjusting your support to match their comfort level

Guiding Techniques

• Show an awareness of how arthritis affects the person’s mobility, dexterity, and comfort, as it relates to the task
• If applicable, demonstrate how to properly use assistive devices or tools (e.g. jar openers, or mobility aids, adapted cutlery etc ) that can help the person complete the task with less strain on their joints.

Awareness of the Environment:

• Show an understanding of how to modify the physical environment to make it more accessible for someone with arthritis (e.g., adjusting the height of objects, using non-slip materials, ensuring correct seating).
• Demonstrate how these changes can reduce strain and enhance ease of movement.

Assessment 2 – Project

You will complete a project over a period of 4 – 6 weeks, demonstrating a clear understanding and application of concepts associated with caring for older people in need of care in Ireland. You will research information in relation to this project and present all works referenced appropriately to show learning.

Part 1 20%

• Write a brief outline of an older person for whom you are currently caring for as part of your work experience or have previously cared for. Identify age, gender, diet, any involvement in exercise, the lifestyle they lived, illness, previous or present living conditions, educational background, any mental health issues, any communication or cognitive issues, family supports, community supports, and network of friends. (3 marks)
• Address the needs of this older person using the holistic approach to care using physical, social, emotional, psychological and spiritual headings. (5 marks)
• Give detailed knowledge of their medical illness and old age conditions showing learning and referencing all information acquired. (4 marks)
• Discuss the impact of aging on this person in recent years and make some recommendations in relation to health promotion strategies that may have helped this person in earlier life. (5 marks)
• Discuss the possible needs of this older person and their families when they reach end-of-life care. (3 marks)

Part 2 20%

• Carry out a project on retirement in Modern-day Ireland.
• Look at how the cultural influences on growing old in Ireland over the last 20 years have changed (4 marks)
• Research and discuss two activities that are available for older people in your community, to include examples: education, lifelong learning, retirement or leisure must include evidence e.g. poster, leaflet, webpage, etc. (5 marks each)
• Discuss how lifelong learning, setting goals for ourselves, and developing interests and hobbies all can impact our experience when we retire. (2 marks)
• Discuss the role of the HCA and the Healthcare team changed when supporting the older person has over the last 20 years? (4 marks)

Assessment Criteria

Clear understanding and application of concepts associated with caring for Older People (20 marks)

1. Client Profile
2. The needs of an Older Person
3. Investigation into conditions affecting an older person
4. Impact of Ageing on the Older Person
5. Health promotion for the Older Person
6. Awareness of the needs of dying older person and their families

Thorough understanding of range of quality assured care settings for older people (20 marks)

1. Role of Healthcare Assistant and Healthcare Team in care provision
2. Awareness of cultural and ethnic influences on older people
3. Role of Services and Supports for Older People.
4. Preparation for retirement, lifelong education and pursuing personal interests

Experts Answer on Above Questions on Healthcare Assessment

Practical skills demonstration – planned recreational activity

The recreational activities selected is flower potting (indoor gardening). The main reason for its selection is the requirement to move hands gently and it also promotes joint flexibility, and promotes independence and wellbeing. It can also be carried out using lightweight gardening tools and suitable for older adults especially in an Irish day care centre.

Effective communication

Introduction – hello I am your health care assistant today. Today we will engage in an indoor activity which is to plant flowers together. If you find any difficulties, please let me know.
During the activity – are you comfortable enough with this activity? Would you like a change in the process or approach? Will you be able to do this yourself without my assistance?
Active listening – immediate response to client queries and adequate support when client needs it.

Guiding techniques

Arthritis awareness – this will include suggestions on slow movements, avoid any kind of wrist movements, and allow a break whenever required.
Assistive equipment – lightweight guarding tools, large group handles, and stable chair with armrest.
Promote independence – clients will be allowed to fill the pot and plant independently where possible.

Awareness of the environment

Environmental adjustments made are to provide adequate lighting, remove any kind of hazards, keep all the equipment within reach, and increase the height of the chair for good posture. Safety will be ensured by assessing the walking area if it is clear, making sure that the water container is lightweight and allowing proper sitting posture throughout.

Reflection

The planting activity has been highly effective from the point of view of considering the clients’ needs. Before starting the activity, I have performed a thorough review of the care needs of the client, with specific emphasis on the Arthritis on joint mobility, grip strength and comfort. I have made advanced preparation for all the materials including light with gardening tools, stable share, gloves and small watering can. I also considered the cultural preferences of the client by selecting native Irish flowers, and supported the client’s independence throughout the activity.

I have tried to make sure that each and every stage is clear to the client, and encourage him to complete the task independently. I also took a break in between and made sure that the client maintains a comfortable posture throughout. The communication was very clear, calm and respectful, and I have tried to include open ended questions, and listened properly to all the clients expectations and needs.

Want Detailed Answers with References?

The analysis of the healthcare assessment skills activity for a patient with arthritis considering different aspects including client care, communication, safety practices, recreational activity planning and reflective documentation along with compliance with QQI Healthcare support assessment above revealed important findings on how to make the process client supportive. If you need a similar kind of analysis, get in touch with our nursing assignment helpers in Ireland to do a critical analysis for you. You can also review the previously solved assignments from The Open College by our Irish experts.