Course Outline
Many adults and children with complex care needs are now being supported within care settings. Only a few years ago they would likely have been cared for in a hospital setting due to their complex needs, however as hospital beds become more scarce, this is not always possible. This change has led to a necessity for support workers, personal assistants and nurses to receive complex care training.
Here at Guardian Angels Training we have developed a package of complex care training courses and competency assessments that can be delivered individualised to the persons medical and social needs. Courses can also be tailored to the individual setting/circumstance, whether this is as an individual employer, case management, home care provider, residential or nursing home.
Complex Care Needs
Examples Complex Care Needs include individuals, both adults and children, that have an, or require support with:
Who we help
We have provided bespoke complex care training and development for individuals with a diverse range of conditions and requirements. We work with care providers, families, and individual employers to ensure a high level of support and care to both adults and children with complex care needs:
Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs)
Education and School Authorities
Insurance Companies and Solicitors
Case Management Providers
Personal Health Budget (PHB) Brokers
Our Expertise On Complex Care
Our team of fully qualified and experienced nurse educators and trainers ensure that we deliver safe, effective and relevant learning and development to individuals who are caring for and supporting those with complex care needs. We also provide additional support regarding competency assessment and testing within the workplace. Following our learning and development courses, if you are not able to source nurses from the local NHS trust to assess competency for various clinical skills such as Tracheostomy Care, PEG Care, Ventilator Care, Catheter or Bowel Care, then we can discuss providing further support in this area. We provide competency assessments, overseen by our specialist nurses who work alongside your team members, undertaking clinical shifts with the individuals in your care, until they are deemed safe, competent and confident enough to practice unsupervised. All of our specialist nurse educators have current NMC Pin Numbers and active DBS checks in place as well as Professional Indemnity Insurance protection.
Complex Care Training Modules include
Airway Management Training
Familiarisation of the anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system
Indications and contraindications for assisted coughing
The procedure and associated risks of assisted cough
Non-invasive Ventilation (NIV) Training
Discuss the mechanics of respiration and recognise respiratory distress
Outline the indications for non-invasive ventilation (NIV)
Explain the role of NIV in the management of respiratory failure
Recognise the absolute and relative contraindications in patient selection
Risk assess, maintain equipment and manage patient care (IPAP : EPAP pressures) in relation to NIV therapy in the community
Demonstrate setting up, promoting compliance and administering NIV and oxygen entrainment (if prescribed) using onsite equipment
Outline the monitoring, duration and weaning and documentation associated with NIV therapy
Discuss trouble shooting problems and potential solutions
Requirement for a tracheostomy
Importance of Stoma Care in relation to tracheostomy
Cleaning of a Stoma and the changing of dressings
Changing a tracheostomy inner cannula
Resuscitation with a tracheostomy
Importance of documentation and consent
Awareness of privacy and dignity
Suctioning Training (Nasal, Oral, and Tracheal Suction)
Anatomy and physiology of the upper airway and respiratory system
Indications for Nasal, Oral and Tracheostomy suction
Contraindications and risks relevant to suctioning
Equipment required for safe and effective suctioning
Infection Prevention and Control relevant to suctioning
Evidenced Based Practice Procedure for Suctioning
Observations and monitoring
Legal and ethical issues including consent, best interest, care planning and documentation
Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) and / or Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) training
The basics of the Brain, Spinal Cord and the Central Nervous System
The types and causes of Acquired Brain Injuries and Spinal Cord Injuries
The physical, psychological and social effects of Acquired Brain Injuries and Spinal Cord Injuries
Practical strategies and management to overcome the effects of ABI and SCI
Autonomic Dysreflexia training
Understand Autonomic Dysreflexia
Understand the causes of Autonomic Dysreflexia
Understand the importance of prompt management of Autonomic Dysreflexia
Have a knowledge of medication for effective management
Understand the key care implications for Autonomic Dysreflexia
People Handling / Manual Handling for Individuals affected by an Acquired Brain Injury and / or Spinal Cord Injury
Anatomy and Physiology relevant to People and Manual Handling
Relevant Legislation (MHOR, LOLER)
Care Planning and Risk Assessments
Principles of Safe Handling
Ergonomics, Biomechanics and Posture
The Handling of People Principles and Techniques
People Handling Equipment being used (Hoist, Slings, Chairs, Beds, Wheelchair, Bathing Hoist)
Pressure area care and tissue viability training for Complex Care Individuals
Understand what is meant by a pressure ulcer
State the causes of pressure ulcers
Identify pressure areas of the body
Describe the stages of a pressure ulcer
Understand how to manage a pressure ulcer
Bowel management training following a spinal cord injury
Understand normal & Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) bowel function (flaccid and spastic bowel)
Understand the importance of maintaining bowel regime
Have a knowledge of medication for effective bowel management
Understand how to manually evacuate the lower bowel (Digital Rectal Stimulation and Digital Rectal Manual Evacuation)
Catheter care training for Complex Care Individuals and those with a Spinal Cord Injury and/or Acquired Brain Injury
Understand why catheters are used
Understand drainage systems
Be able to care for urinary catheters
Be able to prevent infection of the urinary tract
Be able to obtain specimens
Obtain knowledge on removal of catheter
Guardian Angels Training will provide the necessary competency proformas required to ensure safe and evidenced-based clinical practice following completion of our complex care training courses. This will then allow the Registered Provider to ensure mandatory competency assessments are completed within the workplace by a nominated mentor/supervisor. If you need further advice regarding competency assessments, or if you would like our Registered Nurse Trainers to provide onsite competency assessments, then please do contact us.