What does this qualification cover?
Healthcare support staff can work in a variety of different settings within the NHS and private care facilities. The role of the support staff is to provide assistance to healthcare professionals in diagnosing, treating and caring for patients.
The Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support provides learners with the knowledge, understanding and skills required to work in a range of healthcare support settings.
The qualification is formed of mandatory and optional units. The mandatory units cover core competencies whilst the optional units allow learners to choose from a variety of specialist areas to tailor the qualification to their needs, interests and to reflect the context of their work.
The content of the qualification also aligns with the knowledge and skills required for the Senior Healthcare Support Worker apprenticeship standard. The content is applicable to a variety of roles, examples of which are included below:
- adult nursing support
- maternity support
- theatre support
- mental health support
- children and young people’s support
- allied health profession (therapy support).
Who is it suitable for?
Learners or apprentices who wish to work or are working in a variety of different settings within the NHS and private care facilities.
What are the entry requirements?
Learners should be at least 16 years old.
Do you need to be working to take this qualification?
Learners will need to be working, volunteering or on practical placement to be able to show competence in both knowledge and skills.
How many credits are required to complete it?
Learners must achieve a minimum of 65 credits to gain this qualification. Learners must achieve 45 credits from the mandatory units and a minimum of 20 credits from the optional units. At least 37 of the credits must be achieved at level 3 or above.
How is it assessed?
All units are internally assessed by your Tutor or Assessor using a portfolio of evidence.
Please note, mandatory assessment for the unit ‘Study Skills for Senior Healthcare Support Workers’ (DHS 15) must provide evidence of a piece of extended writing or a project.
How long will it take to complete this qualification?
Learners can usually complete the qualification within 12 months
What related qualifications can you progress to?
Career opportunities
The content of the qualification links with the knowledge and skills required for the Senior Healthcare Support Worker apprenticeship standard.
The qualification content is applicable to a variety of roles, examples of which are included below:
- Senior Healthcare Support Worker
- Senior Healthcare Assistant
- Maternity Support Worker
- Theatre Support Worker
- Mental Health Support Worker
- Children and Young People Support Worker
- Therapy Support Worker
- Rehabilitation Assistant
- Enablement Worker