Training and Healthcare Blogs
Why do we need to do refresher training? What are the benefits?
"Refreshing learning isn't a 'tick box' exercise to repeat or reconfirm prior learning."
Skills for Care.
So why do staff need to refresh learning?
1) Changes in protocols, legislation or best practice. Workers must continue to be up to date with the latest protocols and legislation.
2) A change in their role. A worker may have changed their working environment (e.g. different project or care home) or the people they care for have changed.
The needs or challenges the people they care for may have changed e.g. loss of continence, changes in medication, behavioural changes, the on-set of dementia. Staff need to be trained to be able to continue to care for and support the person to the best of their ability.
3) Skills fade. There is evidence of skills fade over time. So, it is sometimes required or recommended to refresh training after a period of time. This ensures knowledge and skills are refreshed and, in some cases, re-assessed on the course.
4) Competency. As workers are monitored / observed a competency issue or a knowledge gap may be identified, where refresher training is needed.
There are also a number of benefits of refresher training...
Refresher training can be hugely beneficial for both the employer, the workers and the people they are caring for!
1) Increase in efficiency - if you have just had a refresher session on a subject and a situation comes up the next week where you need that knowledge or skills you have just refreshed in. You will likely find you almost automatically go through the processes of dealing with it as it is fresh in your mind and you are confident in what you need to do.
2) Reduce mistakes - If the knowledge is fresh in your mind for regular refresher training you are less likely to make a mistake.
3) Consistency across workers - all workers are completing regular refresher training then their knowledge and skills should be more consistent across the team.
4) Promoting excellence. Investing in staff training shows YOU care, and you strive for excellence in the workplace.
5) Keeping workers and those in their care safe - ensuring workers have up to date knowledge and skills and the confidence to use it will keep them safe when difficult situation arise (e.g. a fire occurs, someone they support lashes out).
6) Increase in workers confidence - having the knowledge fresh in your mind, gives you more confidence in carrying out your duties.
7) Increased staff retention - something the care industry really needs at the moment! If workers are more confident, efficient, making less mistakes, feel you care about them and their safety, they are also likely to be happy and content in their work. Happy workers stay put.
We offer training for new and existing staff in a range of health and social care, health & safety and first aid subjects.
Visit www.ctrcaretraining.co.uk to view our portfolio.
