Health Care Assistant at Prudhoe NE42 6DE Contract Full Time Part Time

JOB TITLE:  Care Assistant – Day Duty.  This Job Description will be provided to all those making application to join the Company in the capacity of Care Assistant.  The document will be discussed as part of the interview process and candidates will be expected to show an awareness of the contents and be capable of discussing and meeting the physical demands of the role.

Purpose of Position:

The work of a Care Assistant plays a vital part in meeting the personal care needs of our Residents in a way that respects their dignity as an individual and promotes and encourages independence.  You will be directly involved in the care of the Residents physical environment and the general day-to-day activities of the home.  With others, you will be expected to ensure at all times that the home operations are being applied.  Importantly, you are expected to be proactively involved in creating a warm, friendly atmosphere and maintaining good relations between residents, relatives, visiting professionals and staff.

ESSENTIAL TRAITS:

·         Caring and Patient

·         Sensitive to the privacy and individual needs of the residents

·         Good communication skills

·         Be physically fit, equal to the demands of the work

·         Possess the essential ability to work well with others as part of a team

·         Willing to work irregular hours

·         Commitment to the rights of elderly and disabled people to live dignified lives.

·         Flexibility in your working patterns by being able to carry out rostered shift work, which includes weekends and in emergency situations (i.e. holidays/sickness) additional duties/ night duty.

·         Maintain the highest standard in your personal conduct, presentation and hygiene

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

·         Will assist in the daily care of the Residents, helping with dressing/undressing, washing, bathing and personal hygiene where necessary.

·         To help Residents with problems of mobility and other physical disabilities such as incontinence, helping with the use of disability aids and caring for the same, as identified in the Residents care plan.

·         Apply practical intervention procedures for dementia or behavioural problems

·         Help and be involved with the organisation of social activities, and to participate in ways intended to promote Residents’ physical and mental well-being.  To accompany Residents on community visits and hospital/doctor’s appointments.   Involving yourself with Residents in activities such as reading, writing, hobbies and recreations.

·         To help with the setting up of the dining room/meal trays in readiness for meal-times.  Help serve food, assisting residents with eating and drinking as required.  When requested prepare light meals and snacks.  Help clear up the dining room after meals, ensuring all dirty cutlery, crockery and utensils are returned to the kitchen.

·         To help make and change beds, and assist with light domestic duties such as tidying rooms, dusting, polishing, and emptying commodes as may be required.  Ensure all dirty clothing and bedding is taken to the laundry, identifying and reporting any items requiring mending

·         Monitor Residents’ medical or physical condition, and report any changes to the Manager/Senior in charge on duty.

·         Bring all complaints raised about service level no matter how minor, to the attention of the Manager/Senior in charge

·         Ensure care, support and understanding is provided for Residents who are bedridden or terminally ill.

·         Help maintain a safe and healthy environment in the Home, in particular with regard to appropriate Food Hygiene and Health & Safety Regulations.  To report all accidents either anticipated or arising to the Manager/Senior in Charge

·         Ensure that all matters relating to Residents finances, health, personal matters etc. are kept strictly confidential at all times (refer to the Confidentiality Procedure)

·         Insofar as you are involved, ensure that all matters relating to employees i.e. company finance, company paperwork, personal matters etc. are kept strictly confidential at all times.

·         To read and write care plans, and to participate in staff and Residents’ meetings and reviews as appropriate.

·         Notify the home manager, or the person in charge, as soon as possible of your inability to report for duty, and also on your return to work from all periods of absence

·         Attend meetings and training courses, as directed by the Manager.

·         Undertake other duties, as and when required to do so within the scope of your experience, training and ability

RISK ASSESSMENT OF THE ROLE:

You will see from the characteristics and responsibility of the role, that you will have a direct and personal responsibility for the safety, health and security of our Residents.  Although the Company does provide the appropriate equipment to assist with the lifting and movement of Residents, there will be a requirement for you to be involved personally with the lifting and movements of Residents often without the aid of mechanical devices and in this regard you should be aware of those risks so that you can judge whether the role does present difficulties for you and a risk for those in your care.

A Care Assistant must be able to:-

Read and have a working understanding of the Company’s operating procedures and policies.
Provide physical support to a resident (either alone or with assistance) whilst moving a resident i.e. in or out of a wheelchair, bed, hoist or other lifting support equipment provided for that purpose.
Provide assistance to Residents while walking upright, with or without hand held support.
Being involved in the lifting and/or moving of equipment i.e. static chair, wheelchair, bed, mattress, hoists or any other equipment provided.
You may be asked to work night shift when there is minimum cover by way of assistance when other Carers are not available.
The very nature of the role involves you being active on your feet for prolonged hours whilst caring for the ongoing needs and requirements of residents.  Clearly rest periods can be taken, but these do not take precedence to the needs of Residents.

Care for the terminally ill, which by nature of the work, calls for emotional and physical demands outside the ordinary.
Clean up and dispose of bodily fluids and matter.
Using such Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at the appropriate times.
Important Note:  Should an applicant for employment have or envisage a difficulty in meeting some of the requirements of the Care Assistant Job Description, in particular those contained within the Risk Assessment part, then they are invited to raise those matters at the interview stage with the interviewer when the problem can be examined and solutions discussed.

Tagged as: care assistant, healthcare assistant, nurse, social worker, support worker.