Clinical Observations Training

Clinical Observations - Online Training Course - Level 3 - CPDUK Accredited.

Welcome to our online Clinical Observations training course for front-line healthcare and social care providers. All our online training courses, programmes and qualifications are accredited by the CPD Certification Service (CPDUK).

Patient clinical observations are sometimes referred to as “vital signs”; “patient observations” or just “Obs”. Clinical observations are physiological markers that help medical, nursing and other clinical staff to closely monitor patients, identify those patients that are deteriorating and escalate to senior staff so that appropriate interventions are commenced to stop the patient deteriorating further.

In this comprehensive online Clinical Observations training course, you will understand why, when and how observations are taken, the normal ranges for each clinical observation/vital sign and how to record as well as the action to be considered when you find observations outside of the normal ranges, including:

• Understand the anatomy and physiology that relates to clinical observations,
• Learn about normal and abnormal clinical observations/vital signs,
• Understand the clinical significance of anomalous vital sign readings, and
• Perform a range of clinical observations, including:
  
  • Pulse
  • Blood pressure
  • Temperature
  • Respiratory rate
  • Oxygen saturation
  • Blood glucose measurements.

Entry requirements - No prerequisites required

Assessment type - Complete end of course assessment (80% needed to pass and gain CPD certificate)

Certification/Qualification - Downloadable CPD certified certificate

Cost(s) of assessment and certification - Assessment and certification costs included in the course price

Course accreditation - CPD Certification Service (CPDUK)

Clinical Observations - Online Training Course - Level 3 - CPDUK Accredited.

CPD Certified Certificate

Digital certificate - Included

Course aims and objectives

Healthcare assistants (HCAs) and other clinical staff working in NHS Trusts and private sector hospitals and clinics are now required to show evidence that they have completed training and show that they are competent to monitor, record basic clinical observations and escalate patient clinical observations.

This online Clinical Observations training course was designed for registered nurses, healthcare assistants and other clinical staff who are looking to improve their clinical skills and knowledge and will enable them to be employed within hospital environments.

Learning outcomes

The outcomes of this online Clinical Observations training course are to introduce nursing staff, healthcare support workers and adult social care workers to the basic techniques used to observe and monitor the condition of patients and individuals using services, including pain and discomfort levels. On completion of this clinical observation online training course, learners will be able to:

• Explain the levels of response
• Understand the ‘Glasgow Coma Score’ system
• Understand eye and pupil responses and how to assess breathing
• Know how to monitor and read a person’s pulse and what to look out for
• Know how to measure blood pressure and what the readings mean
• Understand methods for taking temperature
• Understand how to assess skin
• Know how to record observations
• Have an overview of advanced monitoring techniques.

Why is this Clinical Observations course important?

In the course of your work as a nurse or health care assistant, you will take hundreds, possibly thousands, of clinician observations and other vital signs. It is probably no exaggeration to say that the main reason for all of these observations is to spot a change in the patient’s condition quickly and accurately – a rise in body temperature that might denote an infection or a reduction in the amount of fluid taken that might indicate a general deterioration, for instance. We then report these observations to the registered person in charge, and he or she can determine the next steps – whether to escalate the concern to the rest of the team or continue (or increase) the observation schedule.

But we don’t need to rely on specific times and specific activities to observe for changes in patients’/clients’ conditions. We should be observing all the time for these changes.

What is covered in this course?

This online Clinical Observations training course covers the following:

• Introduction to clinical observation skills
• Basic clinical observations
• Patient consent
• Hand hygiene (infection prevention and control)
• Breathing/respiratory rate
• Pulse rate (heart rate)
• Body temperature
• Blood pressure
• Oxygen saturation levels (and oxygen therapy)
• Peak flow testing
• Blood glucose testing
• Urine testing
• Body mass index
• Complete a basic pain assessment
• Consciousness assessment (AVPU)
• Assessing patients’ skin
• Supporting medication administration
• Sepsis awareness
• Additional online learning resources.

Clinical Observations - Online Training Course - Level 3 - CPDUK Accredited.

This online Clinical Observations training course should be completed by those who work in health and social care services, including:

• Registered Nurses
• Healthcare Assistants (HCAs)
• Clinical Support Workers
• Health and Social Care Support Workers
• Nursing Auxiliaries
• Midwives
• Paramedics
• Allied Health Professional
• Emergency Care Practitioners
• NHS bank nurses, AHPs and care staff
• Locum nurses and HCAs
• Locum allied health professionals (AHPs)
• Agency nurses
• Agency workers
• Support workers
• Care assistants.

Clinical Observations - Online Training Course - Level 3 - CPDUK Accredited.

Learn anywhere, anytime on any device.

You will need access to a desktop computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone device to complete these online courses. You can start, pause/stop and return to where you left off.

Our courses utilise responsive design features, making them available on any device of your choice.

Clinical Observations - Online Training Course - Level 3 - CPDUK Accredited.

Our online courses and programmes range from introductory modules at Level 1 (awareness/beginner) to advanced and expert modules up to Level 6.

Our e-learning modules count towards CPD hours for professionals in various sectors as well as meeting mandatory and statutory requirements (where relevant).

Clinical Observations - Online Training Course - Level 3 - CPDUK Accredited.