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November 18, 2012

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New training programme for healthcare security officers

Industry Qualifications, the first pan-sector mutual awarding organisation in the UK, has announced the accreditation of the IQ Level 2 Industry Award in Healthcare Security (Top Up).

The ‘Top Up’ qualification is the first of a suite of three that will together “create a new benchmark training standard for healthcare security officers” and “answer the need for nationally approved training specific to the role”.

The ‘Top Up’ programme has been designed to avoid an expensive overlap of training, offering those who are already Security Industry Authority (SIA) qualified to ‘up-skill’ to the new training standard without having to undertake the ‘full’ programme.

The ‘full’ programme for healthcare security officers will incorporate the ‘Top Up’ training and also meet the criteria set by the SIA for security guarding and door supervision licence linked training, bringing it into line with existing recognised occupational standards.

For its part, the ‘full’ programme includes optional training in protective breakaway skills, physical intervention skills (holding, escorting and disengagement) and physical restraint (on a bed, a trolley and on the floor).

The physical intervention training will equip healthcare security officers with the practical skills needed to carry out Criminal Justice and Immigration Act (CJIA)-focused role responsibilities and ensure appropriate use of their powers.

The new qualification is endorsed by the National Association for Healthcare Security (NAHS).

24/7 ‘eyes and ears on the ground’

Welcoming the qualification, the NAHS’ chairman Peter Finch CSyP said: “We’re delighted to have been involved with the development of this training package. Our security officers are our 24/7 ‘eyes and ears on the ground’ and it’s essential that they’re appropriately trained to protect our facilities and staff from terrorism and other crime. This qualification will go some way towards achieving that aim.”

Richard Hampton of NHS Protect added: “The scope of the new ‘Top Up’ programme highlights the knowledge and professional capabilities currently required of healthcare security officers. I hope the training contributes to making their work safer.”

Programme creator Jim O’Dwyer of AEGIS said: “The new ‘Top Up’ training comprehensively reflects the complexity and diversity of a healthcare security officer role and the broad range of security tasks, duties and responsibilities it entails. I’m very grateful to all the NAHS officials who contributed, and I’m looking forward to the ‘roll out’ of the ‘full’ programme.”

The head of business development at Industry Qualifications is Sallyann Baldry, who commented: “The introduction of qualifications to improve standards with a real focus on patient-centred practice which will reduce the risk of assault for those working in healthcare is to be welcomed. There’s an ever-increasing need to recognise the skills and knowledge of professionals working within the healthcare community which often go unrewarded.”

Baldry stated that IQ is delighted to be at the forefront of supporting the Continuing Professional Development needs of over 15,000 security personnel in healthcare settings from acute, mental and general hospitals to nursing, residential and day care establishments.

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