WSQ Respiratory Care in Nursing (l3)

The healthcare industry is one of the fastest-growing service industries around the world. In Singapore, the healthcare market grew to $29.8 billion in 2020, a 9% rise from the previous year and is expected to double by 2029 (The Straits Times, 2020). The factors that lead to the growth are an ageing population, increasing cases of chronic health conditions and increasing consumerism. By 2030, ageing population will rise to one in four or 25 per cent of Singaporeans, just like Japan and some European countries (The Straits Times, 2022). As a result, nurses are in high demand across the board in the healthcare industry.

Despite the growth and demand, across nations, nurses are quitting in large numbers. In Singapore, nurses are resigning in record numbers, causing a severe shortage at the hospitals. In year 2021 alone, 14.8% of the foreign nursing cohort left to other countries that offer better remuneration (The Straits Times, 2022). Hospitals are actively seeking nurses to recruit and also hiring healthcare assistants (HAs) to sort out the manpower issues. Healthcare assistants (HAs) work alongside with nurses and they assist nurses with any additional duties where nurses need a helping hand. Their duties can range from common caretaking such as changing bedsheets or giving a patient a bath, to more healthcare-specific tasks such as recording a patient's health concerns and symptoms or checking vital signs (i.e., blood pressure, heart rate and etc.,).

What You'll Learn

This course aims to equip Healthcare Assistant (HA) and Patient Service Associate (PSA) with knowledge and skills in performing airway management and respiratory care for patients.

By undergoing this programme, learner will gain advanced knowledge on basic anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system in the human body.

Learner will also pick up the necessary knowledge on the importance of adhering to the organisation's workplace safety and health measures when performing oxygen therapy for patients.

This course will impart learners with knowledge and skills to maintain airway through oropharyngeal and tracheostomy.

This course will also impart learners on maintaining patent airway using various respiratory care devices such as nebulization and inhalers and handheld mucus clearance devices.

This course will equip learners with the skills and knowledge in providing chest tube drainage system and monitor for complications.

Lastly, learners will take away with them on how to record and document on the procedures provided on patients based on organizational format.

1: Introduction to advanced structure and functions of the respiratory system.

2: Adherence to workplace safety and health measures

3: Chest tube drainage system for patient

4: Utilise respiratory care devices

5: Patient with tracheostomy

6: Documentation and evaluation procedures

Minimum Entry Requirement

Employability Skills Workforce Skills Qualifications (ES WSQ) Workplace Literacy and Numeracy (WPLN) Level 5