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Any NHS HR or training people about?

9 replies

Ijustworemytrenchcoat · 16/04/2015 20:05

Hello

I was wondering if Band 2 NHS staff can be expected to train other members of staff and complete competency assessments? There is an ongoing issue in my workplace where management are saying as long as we are competent we should be able to train not only each other but also Band 5 and 6 staff and locums.

This is not showing a new person the ropes which we have all done before but being expected to complete training logs and sign somebody off as being competent. We have received no training in this area, we do not know what the criteria/points system for judging somebody as needing supervision, being able to work alone or being capable of training other staff. None of us have been offered help or support such as 'train the trainer' courses. We feel collectively like we are being bullied into doing something that used to be done by a supervisor or senior member of staff.

We have been told that as the NHS has put a lot of money in to training us we need to step up and made to feel that if we know our jobs and follow SOPs if should be no problem. As far as our manager is concerned if we refuse to do it he is going to take us down the disciplinary route. I do not feel comfortable as an assistant to train a former band 7 locum, and feel it is unfair to have my name on a piece of paper when there is no backup at all from management if and when something goes wrong.

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rhoneducote · 16/04/2015 22:02

Sounds completely out of order an exploitative. Tell them to do one, formally in writing.

Ijustworemytrenchcoat · 17/04/2015 14:37

It is unbelievable the things they are trying to get away with getting band 2 staff to do. There is a line in our Job Descriptions that goes 'and any other duties as appropriate' they seem to be forgetting what is appropriate!

None of us feel comfortable training and quizzing people who are supposed to be our managers and supervisors. We are made to feel like if we refuse we must be saying we are not capable of performing our duties. I feel like I can do my job perfectly well, but I do not want to be responsible for saying somebody else is fully trained.

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MaryKatherine · 17/04/2015 17:17

Gosh, it is shocking what they will try.
You need to speak to your own HR dept.
I am band 6 but have never trained anyone higher than myself. I do competency reviews but only band 5 and below.

Ijustworemytrenchcoat · 17/04/2015 18:49

I agree it is shocking. It is bullying behavior in my opinion as they are trying to tell us if we are not willing to do it it must be because we are incompetent.

HR is mainly based at the other hospital in the trust now, as is our union rep who is only around once a week. I will see if there is anybody in HR next week who can help and if not give them a ring.

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SwedishEdith · 17/04/2015 18:56

How is this fair on the people you would expected to train?

What do your union say? You need to get them involved here.

SwedishEdith · 17/04/2015 18:57

Sorry, missed your comment about the union rep. Just email them? Best to get all of this in writing anyway.

FabULouse · 17/04/2015 19:19

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MissDemelzaCarne · 17/04/2015 19:32

It's hard to say without more detail but it's perfectly reasonable for Band 2s to train other staff.

I'm a Band 7 and have just started in a new role. I came across a piece of equipment I was unable to use and asked a Band 2 HCA to show me how it worked. I've asked them to come and get me next time they use it and I'll do it with them watching.

But, it's not appropriate for them to assess my competence. As a professional member of staff I am supposed to self assess my competence with medical devices and I will only do this after the Band 2 has gone through it with me again.

I agree you should discuss this with your union. In my general opinion, training is fine but assessment is not.

Ijustworemytrenchcoat · 17/04/2015 20:15

Thank you all for your replies. You are right MissDemelzaCarne, I would not mind showing somebody how to use a piece of equipment, or do a certain task, we all do that. Several departments have merged and we have all trained each other but a supervisor or senior did assessments. But it's the assessing somebody as competent that we have the problem with because if something goes wrong it is our name signed to it.

No SwedishEdith it is not fair on the people we are asked to train. I am not a natural at that kind of thing, I find it difficult to articulate and explain things properly and am not the most confident of people.

No FabULouse no mention of a train the trainer course or anything like that, just cutting corners and hang the consequences.

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