Chemotherapy Support Workers and Assistant Practitioners

1
Chemotherapy Support Workers and Assistant
Practitioners
2
Background

• England
• Chemotherapy support worker NVQ3 (SCQF level 7)
• Assistant Practitioner - Foundation degree (SCQF
  level 8)
• Scotland
• Maternity Care Assistants Cert HE (SCQF 7)
• Radiography - HNC (SCQF 7)

3
Educational Preparation
4
Knowledge/Skills

• Basic knowledge of
• Common tumour types treatments
• Main side-effects of common chemotherapy
• Clinical trials
• Long term impact of cancer diagnosis
• Safe handling/disposal of chemo waste
• Communication and support of patient
• Care before/during/after investigations, chemo
• blood transfusion
• Supporting patients in self-care activities e.g
  oral
• care, prevention of infection, skin care,
• nausea/vomiting, nutrition

5
Skills

• Vital signs, urinalysis, blood glucose
  monitoring, pulse oximetry
• Venepuncture
• Cannulation/flushing VADs
• Priming IV infusions/devices
• Connecting/changing giving sets
• Care maintenance of infusion devices
• CPR /recognising adverse reactions
• PICC/Central line care maintenance
• Setting up for and assisting with procedures
• supporting patient
• Teaching safe handling of chemo to patients
• Care of patient receiving scalp cooling

6
Issues for further consideration

• Duplication of effort
• Sustainability of educational initiatives
• Parity
• Sphere of responsibility
• Regulation