Roles and Responsibilities in BTEC Health and Social Care Unit 2

Introduction to Roles and Responsibilities

• Role: Beliefs, attitudes, mannerisms, patterns of behavior associated with a job.
• Responsibility: Duties and requirements of a professional role.
• Professionals adhere to social policies/procedures (e.g., health and safety, equality).

Healthcare Professionals

• Doctors:
  • Provide medical care, diagnose illness, prescribe treatment.
  • Maintain confidentiality, work in multi-disciplinary teams.
• Nurses:
  • Support doctors, provide treatment, observe patients, administer drugs.
  • Types include pediatric, district, community nurses, etc.
• Midwives:
  • Support women before, during, and after pregnancy and childbirth.
  • Responsibilities include prenatal and postnatal care, assisting in labor.
• Healthcare Assistants:
  • Provide personal care in various settings, assist with daily activities.
• Occupational Therapists:
  • Help patients recover and overcome care barriers, assess abilities.

Healthcare Settings

• GP Surgeries: Primary care for health concerns.
• Hospitals: Secondary care, often after GP referral.
• Clinics: Tertiary care, specialized treatment.
• Home Care: Delivered by community nurses, midwives, or GP visits.

Social Care Professionals

• Care Managers:
  • Run care homes, recruit staff, manage operations, ensure staff training.
• Care Assistants:
  • Support patients, maintain confidentiality, require right training.
• Social Workers:
  • Assess needs, support across various ages and conditions.
• Support Workers:
  • Provide day-to-day support based on social worker assessments.
• Youth Workers:
  • Work with ages 11-25, support and mentor through projects.

Social Care Settings

• Residential Care: Provides 24-hour care for adults/children.
• Domiciliary Care: Home-based care, can be short or long term.
• Day Care Centers: Specialist centers for receiving support, socialization.

Values in Care

• Care Value Base: Established in 1992 to improve life quality.
• Care Values: Anti-discriminatory practice, empowerment, safety, confidentiality.
• Code of Practice: Standards monitored by bodies like GMC, NMC, HCPC.

Empowerment in Care

• Empowerment: Supporting individuals to control their care and life.
• Benefits: Increases self-esteem, independence, tailored care.
• Challenges: High demands, potential conflicts with medical practices.

Medical Interventions

• Medication: Prescribed by trained professionals, potential side effects.
• Transplants: Replace damaged organs, limited by organ availability.
• Surgery: Invasive treatment to repair physical issues.
• Radiotherapy: Used for cancer treatment, less intensive than chemotherapy.
• Lifestyle Changes: Diet, exercise, cessation of smoking/drinking.

Rehabilitation Support

• Rehabilitation: Aids recovery and independence post-injury/surgery.
• Equipment: Tools to support daily living and mobility.
• Technology: Assistive devices for disabilities.
• Personal Care: Assistance with daily activities.

Ensuring Safety in Care Settings

• Risk Assessment: Identifying and mitigating potential hazards.
• Health and Safety Act: Legal framework for safe working environments.
• Protection from Infection: Use of PPE, proper waste disposal.
• Loan Worker Policies: Safety protocols for solo workers.
• Safeguarding: Protecting individuals from harm and abuse.

Laws, Policies, and Procedures

• Laws: Government-mandated rules (e.g., Health and Safety Act).
• Policies: Institutional guidelines aligning with laws.
• Procedures: Staff instructions to comply with policies.
• Common Laws: Human Rights Act, Data Protection Act, Equality Act.

Conclusion

• Understanding roles, responsibilities, values, and laws is crucial in health and social care.
• Continuous training and adherence to regulations ensure quality and safety.

These notes summarize the lecture on roles and responsibilities in health and social care, providing a comprehensive overview of key points and concepts discussed.