@Endofthelinefinally
Rather than try to change the definition of words, it would be a good plan for the various training and quality assurance bodies to get together and set up a professional register and all that goes with that. As pp has said, the current situation of using the word " carer" or "HCA" for such a wide variety of roles is not helpful.
Yes! Which is why I've said (and pretty much been ignored on this point) that care assistants that have been trained should be considered professionals in their own right, and register/be pinned, not be able to call themselves nurses or doctors or odps or any of the protected titles as some seem to have assumed. But given the status as a reflection of the training they've done, which is also as I stated, much better and more in depth than it ever used to be. Be included in the umbrella term HCP, Healthcare, not medical. I'm not trying to pretend that I've got medical knowledge or qualifications here, just that the knowledge, skills and qualifications we do possess aren't worthless because they're not medical or a degree. They're really important, and raise the standards of care, and if more people were working towards or attained them, with a recognised and respected registration at the end of that, it could only be a good thing.
All I've had though is a list of reasons why I'm not, and should never be considered to be a HCP.
HCP in itself doesn't appear to be a protected title in the way nurse, or paramedic or radiographer (for example is).
Situations like you describe with your PIL would be less and caught earlier with care assistants needing to work towards a minimum standard - and actually being recognised as having training and therefore listened to. Quite often our concerns, elevated to someone else with medical knowledge are ignored or eye rolled at by those medical staff because of the attitudes towards care workers in general - as seen here "You're not trained so why should I listen to you" Then it's too late. And obviously there's the lack of knowledge and training within the staff themselves. With the training, and respect for that, it could only improve things.
There's been posts about how I'm not accountable, only the trained nurse is, but when you point out that in many settings there isn't one, you get "Really 🙄" because I say well yes I'm accountable to the CQC who will be the one who investigates any mistake I make, they'll investigate the whole service, but in relation to that incident, that problem, yes I'll have to justify my actions or lack thereof to them ultimately. But as I don't pay them £120 a year, the concequences of that (prosecution, losing my job or being put on the barred list) are ignored. Is it the same as an NMC hearing? No. Does it mean that I can carry on regardless with no thought for what I'm doing as there's no concequences, also no. Is it enough? No, it's not. There should be more. Much more.
But again, all that's come back is different variations of
"You're not a nurse"
"You're not accountable"
"You don't have responsibility"
"You don't have training or a degree anywhere near a nurse/odp/registrar"
"You don't have to register, complete cpd"
Ad infinitum.
And again when you point out that there's no one above the care assistants that work in residential settings, that there's no one to delegate or take those decisions, right those care plans and then be responsible, that all falls on the senior care staff with training, you're belittled and told "It's not a diss at you, it's just not up for discussion".
That yes, I do have to do cpd, I have to attend training that's mandatory. Nope, you're not a nurse though are you. No, I'm not, but then I'm not claiming to be either.
So as I said in a pp, if collectively, care assistants are going to be dismissed (as they have been here) even though they have a good level of training, have taken the time and effort (and sometimes money too) to improve their own knowledge, skills and qualifications, to improve care, then really what's the point of that training? Why bother because it's not improving anything is it if someone like me, who's done all that is as summarily dismissed as the 18 year old who's got 2 weeks experience and no qualifications.
I can recognise the signs of a blocked catheter, I know what to try (within my remit) I know who to contact, and fast. I know how important diuretics are, and the possible knock on effects of running out. Me knowing all that though is pointless if the nurse I contact doesn't listen to my assessment of the situation, of the patient I know, or the gp, or pharmacist take forever and a day to reissue a script or the actual tablets because they've had a review and the dose has increased, and I know they're going to run out and what the concequences of that could be. But rather have the attitude that I'm probably wrong because I don't know what I'm talking about.
Then yes, it gets to crisis point and ambulances are called because the patient is now in a life threatening situation.
Similar to eol, signposted to 111 if the cnt are busy, when say breakthrough is needed above the syringe driver. What do they do? Send a 999 ambulance! It's not what I've requested, it's not what's needed, it's not on the care plan, they've got a dnar which is communicated, but protocol takes over, and then the finger is pointed at my lack of knowledge and training being the problem. I have that knowledge and training, but I'm not listened to.
As I said, I've seen these attitudes towards care assistants for years, the replies on here are of no surprise. But that doesn't mean that I'm wrong, or stupid for wanting to be recognised and respected for the training I have got, it does seem though that some are just utterly determined though to dismiss me as they do professionally.
"Oh you're very well liked, and yeah, you do a good job" Pat on the head "But don't get ideas above your station, little bum wipers".