Foundation HCA in General Practice Course

Course Overview:

The Foundation Healthcare Assistant (HCA) in General Practice course is designed for new or early-career HCAs entering the general practice environment. Over two interactive days, learners will build a strong foundation in essential clinical and administrative skills needed for primary care settings.

This course combines a face-to-face classroom day with a live webinar day, blending hands-on clinical skills training with a structured introduction to chronic disease management and primary care workflows. A competency document is provided to guide skills development under supervision in the workplace.

Delivery Mode:

• 14 August 2025 – Classroom Session (In-person)

• 15 August 2025 – Webinar Session (Live Online)

Pre Requisites

Must have an identified mentor and completion of eLFH modules before starting the course.

Day 1: Thursday 14 August 2025 (Classroom Session)

Location: In-House TBC

Morning:

• Introduction to Working in General Practice

• Overview of the Care Certificate and Expectations

• The Role of the HCA in Primary Care

• Professionalism, Communication, and Confidentiality

Afternoon:

• Urinalysis (Urine Dipstick Testing) – Theory and Practical Session

• Recording Vital Signs (Blood Pressure, Pulse, Temperature, Respirations)

• Sepsis Screening – Recognising Early Warning Signs

Includes practical stations and small group work.

 Day 2: Friday 15 August 2025 (Live Webinar)

Platform: MS Teams

Morning:

• Understanding Heart Failure and Hypertension

• Using QOF (Quality and Outcomes Framework) and Templates in General Practice

• Importance of Accurate Documentation and Coding

Afternoon:

• Diabetes Management in General Practice (Delivered by Diabetes Specialist Nurse)

• Introduction to Diabetic Reviews and Foot Checks

Includes interactive Q&A and real-life case examples.

 What’s Included:

• 2 days of expert-led training (classroom + webinar)

• Competency Document for workplace sign-off

• Digital copy of the Care Certificate standards

• Certificate of Attendance (15 CPD Hours)

• Course materials and additional resources

 Who Should Attend:

• New HCAs and HCSWs starting in general practice

• HCAs transitioning from other settings into primary care

• Practices seeking to upskill their support staff for chronic disease clinics and patient monitoring

Benefits:

• Develop practical clinical skills with confidence

• Understand the expectations and systems used in general practice

• Gain a foundation for completing the Care Certificate

• Prepare for assisting with long-term condition management