Roles of H+SC Professionals Flashcards
What is a doctor’s role?
Primary point of contact
Provide medical care for patients
Where do doctors work?
Mainly in G.P. surgeries and local communities
Doctors are responsible for…
- diagnosing, treating, monitoring and preventing illnesses
- prescribing treatments and medications
- arranging preventive care
- refer patients to other health professionals (e.g. specialists)
Key skills of doctors
- creating relationships of trust
- observing, listening and responding
- maintaining records
- maintaining confidentiality
Role of specialist doctors
Expertly trained in particular areas
Where do specialist doctors work?
Mainly in hospitals and clinics
Specialist doctors are responsible for…
- diagnosing, treating, monitoring and preventing illnesses in specialist areas, such as cardiology, oncology, paediatrics and geriatrics
- liaising with other professionals (e.g. nurses) to carry out treatment in hospital
- contribute to teams for ongoing patient care
Role of nurses
Trained to carry out medical duties at their level or specialism or seniority
Where do nurses work?
Mainly in G.P. surgeries, hospitals, clinics and homes
Nursing specialisms include…
- critical care nursing
- cardiac nursing
- surgical care
- oncology nursing
4 pathways in nursing…
- adult nursing
- paediatric nursing
- learning disability nursing
- mental health nursing
Nurses are responsible for…
- monitoring patient conditions
- caring for daily chronic and acute medical needs of patients
- administering treatments
- preparing patients for operations
- working to restore health and wellbeing
Key skills of nurses
- providing care
- writing care plans
- helping with recovery and rehabilitation
- planning discharge and follow up appointments
- acting as an advocate
Role of midwives
Supporting mothers during pregnancy, childbirth and the first 28 days of a baby’s life
Where do midwives work?
Hospital maternity units, clinics and homes
Midwives are responsible for…
- providing antenatal care
- monitoring development and health of mother and babies during pregnancy
- assisting during labour
- supervising pain management
- providing postnatal care and support mother, baby and family after birth
Key skills of midwives
- preparing care/birthing plans
- providing support and advice following termination, miscarriage or neonatal health
- liaising with other professionals and agencies
Role of healthcare assistants
Trained to help with daily personal care and to support wellbeing
They work under supervision of qualified professionals (e.g. nurses and doctors)
Where do healthcare assistants work?
Mainly in hospitals, clinics, residential care settings and homes
Healthcare assistants are responsible for…
- meeting care needs such as washing, toileting, making beds, feeding and mobility
- monitoring health by taking temperatures, weight, pulse, and blood samples
Role of occupational therapists
Facilitate recovery and support individuals to overcome barriers to them living independently
Where do occupational therapists work?
Mainly in hospitals, clinics, residential care settings and homes
Occupational therapists are responsible for…
- identifying issues people have in everyday life (e.g. dressing, shopping or working)
- helping people to work out practical solutions
- being aware of acute and chronic conditions and how to overcome them
Key skills of occupational therapists
- advising on specialist equipment to aid daily living
- assisting people to return to work
- enabling rehabilitation and support services
Role of physiotherapists
Working with patients to improve their range of movement and promote health and wellbeing
Physiotherapists are responsible for…
- restoring movement and function when someone is affected by illness, injury or disability
- being aware of different techniques to support individuals with recovery or maintenance programmes
(physical manipulation and massage, therapeutic exercise, electro-therapy, ultrasounds)
Key skills of physiotherapists
- helping with spine and joint problems
- helping people recover from accidents, operations, strokes or sport injuries
- support people with breathing difficulties
Where do physiotherapists work?
Hospitals, G.P surgeries, clinics and homes
Role of dieticians
Diagnosing and treating people with nutrition problems
Help people make healthy lifestyle and diet choices
Where do dieticians work?
Hospitals, clinics and private practices
Dieticians are responsible for…
- assessing, diagnosing and treating dietary and nutritional problems
- specialising in areas like children’s health, renal dietetics or cancer care
- running clinics for diabetics or people with eating disorders
Key skills of dieticians
- raising awareness of importance of healthy eating
- advising people who have mental health problems, or are on a low income on how to eat well
Role of care managers
Responsible for day-to-day running of a residential care setting (e.g. hospices, residential homes)
Care managers are responsible for…
- recruiting and managing staff
- managing budgets
- ensuring services provided meet National Care Standards
- put policies and procedures in place and make sure they are adhered to
Key skills of care managers
- maintaining relationships with staff and residents
- maintaining confidentiality
- listening to resident and staff concerns
Role of support workers
Providing care support to a range of service users in homes, centres and residential care settings
Support workers are responsible for…
- implementing care plans agreed with social workers
- supporting individuals’ comfort and wellbeing, under supervision of professionals
- help people who need care and support to live as independently as possible
- following instructions of professionals
Key skills of support workers
- creating and maintaining relationships with clients
- encouraging independence
- empowering clients
Role of social workers
Trained to help people of all ages to find solutions to their problems
Where do social workers work?
Mainly in social care centres, homes and clinics
Social workers are responsible for…
- protecting vulnerable people from harm or abuse
- helping people to live independently
- support children who live apart from family, and support their foster carers and adopters
- keeping informed of changed in policies and procedures
- helping people with mental health problems, learning or physical disabilities
Key skills of social workers
- preparing and reviewing case files
- making difficult decisions
- working with a variety of service users of all ages
- enduring continuity of care
Role of care assistants
Help people of all ages who need care to carry out day-to-day tasks such as washing, eating and toileting
Where do care assistants work?
Mainly in homes, daycare centres and residential care settings
Care assistants are responsible for…
- meeting personal needs (such as washing, toileting, dressing and feeding)
- assisting in monitoring health and wellbeing by liaising with other professionals
- helping with transport, household tasks and taking people shopping
Key skills of care assistants
- working in different settings
- making service users feel at home
- maintaining confidentiality
- observing and reporting changes in health and wellbeing of service users
Role of youth workers
Help personal, social and educational growth of people aged 11-25 to help them reach their full potential and become responsible members of society
Where do youth workers work?
Mainly in youth centres, schools and colleges
Youth workers are responsible for…
- managing and administering youth and community projects and resources
- monitoring and reviewing quality of local youth work provision
- supporting individuals through drinking, drugs, smoking, violence and relationships
- mentoring young people
Key skills of youth workers
- working across different sectors (including care and criminal justice, private, public and voluntary sector organisations)
- offering advice on sexual health, using simple language
