Level 3 Senior Healthcare Support Worker – Vaccination Services
Role Overview
Senior HCSWs at Level 3 support the safe, effective and person-centred delivery of Scotland’s immunisation programmes. Working under the direction and supervision (direct or indirect) of a registered healthcare practitioner, they contribute to high-quality services across a range of settings, including clinics, care homes, community venues, and domiciliary visits.
Key responsibilities include (but not limited to):
- Prepare and set up vaccination areas; manage vaccine stock in line with cold-chain protocols, safe sharps and waste.
- Support clinical documentation and accurate record-keeping.
- Assist with patient flow: welcome and verify details, provide clear information, and signpost questions to a registered practitioner.
- Administer vaccines where authorised and competent, under delegation and appropriate legal frameworks.
- Monitor individuals immediately post-vaccination; recognise and respond to adverse reactions and escalate promptly.
- Uphold high standards of infection prevention and control and compassionate, person-centred care.
- Work as part of the multidisciplinary team and follow national immunisation guidance and local policies.
- Administer vaccinations to appropriate age groups according to locally agreed medicines governance and legal frameworks.
Role boundaries:
Level 3 HCSW’s do not
- Make clinical decisions about eligibility, clinical suitability, contraindications/precautions or scheduling.
- Obtain informed consent.
Qualifications and experience expected at level 3:
- Normally at or working towards a SCQF Level 7 qualification in a health or social care related subject.
- Can evidence previous knowledge and relevant experience using Recognition of Prior Learning
- Numeracy and literacy qualifications are required at this level of practice.
- IT / computer literacy is required at this level of practice.
Vaccination specific qualifications, experience and training:
- At least two years' experience as a HCSW. For those with less than two years' experience a wider educational programme is available at Healthcare Support Worker (HCSW) Vaccinator Education Programme | Turas | Learn (nhs.scot)
- Completion of training in basic life support and anaphylaxis management, statutory and mandatory topics (e.g., infection control, public protection), safe sharps and waste handling, vaccine preparation and administration, and demonstrate understanding of legal frameworks.
- Completion of the Promoting Effective Immunisation Practice (PEIP): Healthcare support workers (HCSWs) programme.
- Completion of core role-specific training relevant to scope of practice (e.g. COVID-19 vaccination, seasonal flu).
- Completion of vaccine-specific learning modules appropriate to the programmes being delivered (e.g., Covid eLearning module).
- Keep up to date with immunisation knowledge through guidance like the Green Book and CMO letters and regularly engage in reflective practice and CPD to maintain competence and confidence.
Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours
Detailed here are the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) required for Level 3 practitioners, aligned to the four pillars of practice. This includes core KSBs from the NMAHP Development Framework, followed by vaccination-specific KSBs reflecting the unique needs of the vaccination workforce.