Core

This unit is part of the T Level Technical Qualification in Health and has the following learning outcomes and assessment criteria:

1. A1: Working within the health and science sector
   1. A1.1 The purpose of organisational policies and procedures in the health and science sector
   2. A1.2 The importance of adhering to quality standards, quality management and audit processes within the health and science sector
   3. A1.3 The key principles of ethical practice in the health and science sectors
   4. A1.4 The purpose of following professional codes of conduct
   5. A1.5 The difference between technical, higher technical and professional occupations in health, healthcare science and science, as defined by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education occupational maps
   6. A1.6 Opportunities to support progression within the health and science sector
2. A2: The healthcare sector
   1. A2.1 The diversity of employers and organisations within the healthcare sector
   2. A2.2 The characteristics of primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare tiers
   3. A2.3 The diverse range of personal factors that would dictate the services accessed by an individual including barrier to service access
   4. A2.4 How the use of different developments in technology support the healthcare sector:
   5. A2.5 The origins of the healthcare sector and how this has developed into the healthcare sector we have today
   6. A2.6 The potential impacts of future developments in the healthcare sector in relation to care provision
   7. A2.7 The importance of adhering to national, organisational and departmental policies in the healthcare sector including the possible consequences of not following policy
   8. A2.8 The different ways in which the sectors are funded
   9. A2.9 The meaning of evidence-based practice, its application and how it benefits and improves the healthcare sector
   10. A2.10 The different types of organisational structures within the healthcare sector and the resulting job roles
   11. A2.11 The importance of job descriptions and person specifications and how this defines roles and responsibilities
   12. A2.12 The career pathway opportunities for employment and progression within the healthcare sector as defined by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education occupational maps
   13. A2.13 The potential impact of external factors on the activities of the healthcare sector
   14. A2.14 The role of public health approaches and how this benefits regional and national population health through prevention and improvement initiatives
3. A3: Health, safety and environmental regulations in the health and science sector
   1. A3.1 The purpose of the following legislation and regulations in the health and science sector:
   2. A3.2 How to assess and minimise potential hazards and risks, including specific levels of risk, by using the Health and Safety Executive’s 5 Steps to Risk Assessment
   3. A3.3 How health and safety at work is promoted
   4. A3.4 How to deal with situations that can occur in a health or science environment that could cause harm to self or others (for example, spillage of hazardous material)
4. A4: Health and safety regulations applicable in the healthcare sector
   1. A4.1 The purpose of workplace health and safety regulations in the health sector:
   2. A4.2 The purpose of specific health and safety regulations, guidance and regulatory bodies in relation to the health sector:
   3. A4.3 The overarching responsibilities of trained first aiders
   4. A4.4 The purpose of guidelines produced by the Resuscitation Council (UK)
   5. A4.5 The purpose of manual handling regulations and training, including why it’s important to follow policy and guidance when moving, positioning people, equipment or other objects safely:
5. A5: Managing information and data within the health and science sector
   1. A5.1 A range of methods used to collect data
   2. A5.2 The considerations to make when selecting a range of ways to collect and record information and data
   3. A5.3 The importance of accuracy, attention to detail and legibility of any written information or data in order to:
   4. A5.4 The strengths and limitations of a range of data sources when applied in a range of health and science environments
   5. A5.5 How new technology is applied in the recording and reporting of information and data
   6. A5.6 How personal information is protected by data protection legislation, regulations and local ways of working/organisational policies
   7. A5.7 How to ensure confidentiality when using screens to input or retrieve information or data
   8. A5.8 The positive use of, and restrictions on the use of, social media in health and science sectors
   9. A5.9 The advantages and risks of using IT systems to record, retrieve and store information and data
   10. A5.10 How security measures protect data stored by organisations
   11. A5.11 What to do if information is not stored securely
6. A6: Managing personal information
   1. A6.1 Their role in relation to record keeping and audits
   2. A6.2 Why personal information is collected, stored and protected
   3. A6.3 The types of information needed when obtaining a client history
   4. A6.4 The purpose of common abbreviations used in the healthcare sector
   5. A6.5 The advantages of reporting systems for managing information with regards to incidents, events and conditions
   6. A6.6 When it may be appropriate to share information and the considerations that need to be made when sharing data
   7. A6.7 The different formats for the sharing of information
   8. A 6.8 The reasons for record keeping and how this contributes to the overall care of the individual
   9. A6.9 The responsibilities of employees and employers in relation to record keeping and when to escalate issues
7. A7: Good scientific and clinical practice
   1. A7.1 The principles of good practice in scientific and clinical settings
   2. A7.2 What a SOP is
   3. A7.3 Why it is important for everyone to follow SOPs
   4. A7.4 How to access SOPs for a given activity
   5. A7.5 The potential impacts of not regularly cleaning and preparing work areas for use
   6. A7.6 The potential impacts of not maintaining, cleaning and servicing equipment
   7. A7.7 Why it is important to calibrate and test equipment to ensure it is fit for use
   8. A7.8 How to escalate concerns if equipment is not correctly calibrated/unsuitable for intended use
   9. A7.9 Why it is important to order and manage stock
   10. A7.10 The potential consequences of incorrectly storing products, materials and equipment
8. A8: Providing person-centred care
   1. A8.1 The purpose of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) plus Amendment (2019) in relation to healthcare
   2. A8.2 The key principles of the Care Act 2014
   3. A8.3 The role of a range of regulatory bodies within the health sector
   4. A8.4 How the stages of human development impact on physical and mental function and the support provided in relation to person-centred care
   5. A8.5 The key values of the healthcare sector when providing care and support
   6. A8.6 The purpose of the Personalisation Agenda 2012 and the importance of using holistic approaches in order to place individuals, their careers and significant others at the centre of their care and support
   7. A8.7 A range of verbal and nonverbal communication techniques, potential communication barriers and how to overcome them to support an individual’s condition
   8. A8.8 The application of relevant legislation, including Mental Capacity Act (2005) plus Amendment (2019) and Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS) on the provision of person-centred care
   9. A8.9 The considerations when providing person-centred care to people with pre-existing conditions or living with illness
   10. A8.10 How mental health conditions, dementia and learning disabilities can influence a person’s needs in relation to overall care
   11. A8.11 How to promote independence and self-care and the positive impact on the healthcare sector
   12. A8.12 The range of terms used in the healthcare sector in relation to death and bereavement including their meaning
   13. A8.13 The role of healthcare professionals in providing person-centred care for the individual during the active dying phase
   14. A8.14 How to support people with bereavement and how to communicate with families
   15. A8.15 What the 6 Cs are in relation to person-centred care
   16. A8.16 The importance of practicing and promoting the 6 Cs in relation to demonstrating person-centred care skills, through own actions and promoting the approach with others
   17. A8.17 The concept of safeguarding in relation to providing person-centred care
   18. A8.18 The importance of managing relationships and boundaries when providing person-centred care
9. A9: Health and wellbeing
   1. A9.1 Changes in the approach to healthcare and how to support a person’s health, comfort and wellbeing
   2. A9.2 How to recognise the signs and symptoms of a person who is experiencing pain and discomfort and/or whose health and wellbeing is deteriorating
   3. A9.3 How to work in a person-centred way, to ensure adequate nutrition, hydration and care are provided to prevent deterioration in the individual’s wellbeing
   4. A9.4 The prevention agenda and the concept of preventative approaches for moving towards good health and wellbeing
   5. A9.5 The ways in which health promotion is used to support the prevention agenda to support good health and wellbeing
   6. A9.6 The overarching principle of the opportunistic delivery of health promotion through the Making Every Contact Count (MECC) initiative and the risk factors this initiative targets
   7. A9.7 How lifestyle choices impact good health and wellbeing
   8. A9.8 A range of methods of taking a holistic approach to healthcare
   9. A9.9 The purpose of signposting individuals to interventions, or other services and how this can support their health and wellbeing
   10. A9.10 The impact of the ageing process on health and wellbeing
   11. A9.11 How aspects of care requirements change throughout various life stages
   12. A9.12 Methods of supporting people to look after themselves at various stages of life
10. A10: Infection prevention and control in health specific settings
    1. A10.1 The techniques for infection control and why they’re important in stopping the spread of infection:
    2. A10.2 The importance of good handwashing techniques and personal hygiene and how to practice this in relation to infection control
    3. A10.3 The scientific principles of cleaning, disinfecting, sterilisation and decontamination
    4. A10.4 The differences in procedures for cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilisation
    5. A10.5 The meaning of impact of antimicrobial resistance including how this can potentially impact infection control and the ways in which to reduce microbial resistance
11. A11: Safeguarding
    1. A11.1 The meaning of safeguarding in the health sector and the key principles including why safeguarding is important
    2. A11.2 How to safeguard individuals in relation to legislations, policies and procedures
    3. A11.3 Factors that may contribute to an individual being vulnerable to harm or abuse and the vulnerable groups that require protection
    4. A11.4 A range of different types of abuse and harm
    5. A11.5 Some of the possible signs of abuse or harm that may be identified in individuals using healthcare
    6. A11.6 What action to take if abuse is suspected or disclosed
    7. A11.7 Action that can be taken by individuals and organisations to reduce the chances of abuse
    8. A11.8 The meaning of patient safety and clinical effectiveness including why they’re important
    9. A11.9 What is meant by radicalisation, identifying signs of radicalisation and the purpose of the Prevent strategy (2011)
    10. A11.10 The importance of positive behaviour including a range of positive behaviour expected of a health professional:
    11. A11.11 The types of support for managing positive behaviour
    12. A11.12 What is meant by a conflict of interest and how to deal with those whilst practicing healthcare
12. B1: Core science concepts
    1. B1.1 The 3 principles of cell theory
    2. B1.2 The different types of cells that make up living organisms
    3. B1.3 The structure and function of the organelles found within eukaryotic cells
    4. B1.4 The similarities and differences between plant and animal cells in relation to the presence of specific organelles and their function
    5. B1.5 How eukaryotic cells become specialised in complex multi-cellular organisms
    6. B1.6 How prokaryotic cells differ from eukaryotic cells
    7. B1.7 The relationship between the structure, properties and functions of proteins
    8. B1.8 The relationship between the structure, properties and functions of carbohydrates
    9. B1.9 The relationship between the structure, properties and functions of lipids
    10. B1.10 How the surface area to volume ratio affects the process of exchange and gives rise to specialised systems
    11. B1.11 The principles of cellular exchange and the transport mechanisms which exist to facilitate this exchange
    12. B1.12 The advantages of having specialised cells in relation to the rate of transport across internal and external membranes
    13. B1.13 The purpose of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA) as the carrying molecules of genetic information and the role they play in the mechanism of inheritance
    14. B1.14 The relationship between the structure of DNA and RNA and their role in the mechanism of inheritance
    15. B1.15 The function of complementary base pairing in forming the helical structure of DNA
    16. B1.16 The process and stages of semi-conservative replication of DNA
    17. B1.17 How this semi-conservative replication process ensures genetic continuity between generations of cells
    18. B1.18 The link between the semi-conservative replication process and variation
    19. B1.19 The difference between genetics and genomics
    20. B1.20 The classification and characteristics (size of cell, type of cell, presence of organelles) of the following microorganisms
    21. B1.21 The benefits of using the following microscopes when investigating microorganisms
    22. B1.22 How to calculate magnification from the size of the image and the size of the object
    23. B1.23 The uses of differential staining techniques
    24. B1.24 The nature of infection
    25. B1.25 Causative agents of infection and examples of resulting diseases
    26. B1.26 The different ways in which causative agents may enter the body (for example transmission routes)
    27. B1.27 How infectious diseases can spread amongst populations and communities
    28. B1.28 The definition of an antigen and an antibody
    29. B1.29 The link between antigens and the initiation of the body’s response to invasion by a foreign substance
    30. B1.30 The stages and cells involved in the body’s response to an antigen
    31. B1.31 The differences between cell-mediated immunity and antibody-mediated immunity
    32. B1.32 The role of T and B memory cells in the secondary immune response
    33. B1.33 The relationship between the atomic structure and physical and chemical properties of metals
    34. B1.34 How the arrangement of electrons is linked to the way in which elements are situated within groups in the periodic table
    35. B1.35 The correct names for sub-atomic particles and their position in an atom – protons, electrons and neutrons
    36. B1.36 The physical properties of acids
    37. B1.37 The concept of strong and weak acids (as distinct from dilute and concentrated solutions)
    38. B1.38 How to determine the name of the salt produced in the following acid-base reactions
    39. B1.39 The principles of collision theory
    40. B1.40 The effect of temperature on rates of reaction
    41. B1.41 The definition of a catalyst and the role of catalysts in a reaction
    42. B1.42 The principles of the following tests and techniques that are used to separate, detect and therefore identify chemical composition
    43. B1.43 The tests that could be used to quantify components in a mixture
    44. B1.44 The principle of titration
    45. B1.45 The definitions of, and how to calculate, charge and current using Q=It
    46. B1.46 The definitions of, and how to calculate, current, potential difference and resistance, using Ohm’s law V=IR
    47. B1.47 How to calculate total resistance of multiple fixed resistors in a series and parallel circuit
    48. B1.48 The difference between alternating and direct current
    49. B1.49 The properties of mains electricity in the United Kingdom
    50. B1.50 Magnetism and magnetic poles
    51. B1.51 Magnetic fields
    52. B1.52 The uses of electromagnetism and electromagnets
    53. B1.53 The definition of a wave
    54. B1.54 The relationship between frequency, wavelength and speed using the wave equation v=fλ
    55. B1.56 The uses of different types of waves
    56. B1.57 The types and properties of ionising radiation
    57. B1.58 The definitions of half-life and count-rate
    58. B1.59 The main types of radioactive decay in relation to unstable nuclei
    59. B1.60 How radiation interacts with matter
    60. B1.61 The applications of radioactivity within the health and science sector
    61. B1.62 The use of the international system of units (SI)
    62. B1.63 How to convert between units
    63. B1.64 The importance of using significant figures and science notation
13. B2: Further science concepts
    1. B2.1 The components of the endocrine system; where they are located, their function and structure including how they are organised
    2. B2.2 The components of the respiratory system; where they are located, their function and structure including how they are organised
    3. B2.3 The components of the nervous system; where they are located, their function and structure including how they are organised
    4. B2.4 The components of the musculoskeletal system; where they are located, their function and structure including how they are organised
    5. B2.5 The components of the digestive system; where they are located, their function and structure including how they are organised
    6. B2.6 The components of the cardiovascular system; where they are located, their function and structure including how they are organised
    7. B2.7 The components of the reproductive system in males and females; where they are located, their function and structure including how they are organised
    8. B2.8 The components of the renal system; where they are located, their function and structure including how they are organised
    9. B2.9 The components of the integumentary system; where they are located, their function and structure including how they are organised
    10. B2.10 The normal expected ranges for physiological measurements, how to identify when physiological measurements fall outside the normal expected ranges in adults, including factors that can contribute to measurement outside of usual parameters
    11. B2.11 How physiological parameters are routinely measured including the equipment used
    12. B2.12 The principles of homeostasis and how this links to maintaining the functions within the physiological systems which contributes to preserving a healthy body
    13. B2.13 How failure of homeostasis mechanisms can impact the body and the subsequent development of disorders
    14. B2.14 Different classification systems and their purpose
    15. B2.15 The most widely used classification systems of diseases and disorders
    16. B2.16 Examples of diseases and disorders and their relationship to the classification systems including the possible causes and symptoms
    17. B2.17 Injury and trauma and how the body reacts systematically as a response
    18. B2.18 What is meant by epidemiology and some specific terminology that is used
    19. B2.19 How epidemiology is used to provide information to plan and evaluate strategies to prevent disease
    20. B2.20 How health promotion helps to prevent the spread and control of disease and disorder