Health Care Worker

**JOB TITLE**:Health Care Worker**

**LOCATION**:Comber / Killinchy Area** (Services User Homes)

**RESPONSIBLE TO**:Registered Provider/ Registered Manager**

**REPORTS TO**:Area Manager**

**Driving Licence beneficial but not essential (mileage paid)**

**JOB PURPOSE**:To enable Service Users to continue to lead as far as possible, full and independent lives in the comfort and safety of their own homes.

Provincial Care Services aim to provide Domiciliary Care to vulnerable people living at home of any age, gender, sexual orientation, religious or cultural origins, irrespective of race or disability and to give practical support to carers.

**ROLE**:To work under the direction of Area Manager, participating in the team and assisting with the personal care and other tasks as necessary to Service Users in the community, taking appropriate responsibility for certain tasks as allocated. The job requires high standards of cleanliness and hygiene and the ability to work on one's own in the Service Users house, co-operating with Service User and / or relatives as necessary. Care Assistants must maintain the highest standards of care at all times.

**DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**

Duties include:
**1. Practical Support**
- Household cleaning / bed making
- Heat and serve meals

**2.** **Personal Care**
- Washing
- Bathing
- Toileting
- Continence management
- Oral care
- Shaving
- Dressing & undressing
- Pressure care
- Getting up and putting to bed
- Helping with eating
- Call / checking service through day / Evening

**3. Sitting**
- Day
- Evening

**4.0** To become familiar with and understanding the care plan of each Service User assigned to their care and of the goals to be aimed for in each case.

**4.1 ** To carry out the duties required of them in relation to such care plans to a highly professional standard, as appropriate to the individual needs of each Service User. To assist each Service User with personal hygiene, self-care and exercise as appropriate.

**4.2** To provide hot / cold drinks to Service Users and, where necessary, hot meals and snacks.

**4.3 **To use hoists and any other equipment provided at Service Users home for the ease of transferring the Service User from place to place. To ensure use the Moving and Handling techniques as per training to ensure safe transfer of Service Users. The Service Users we provide care for include and are not limited to elderly and disabled. We care for Service Users with physical disabilities, mental difficulties, terminal illness etc, in line with care plans.

**4.4** At all times staff are required to adhere to manual handling techniques as per training, where there is no equipment in situ. These Service Users can range from ability to move themselves and therefore particular attention needs to be given to those Service Users with limited or restricted movements and ability. Good recording is expected at all times with all Service Users, but particular attention must be given to those Service Users where their ability is deteriorating, staff must contact and report to their Area Manager.

**4.5** To be alert at all times to the safety and well-being of Service Users in their care and to take appropriate steps to safeguard Service Users from accident or injury, and to report any accident / hazards however slight, immediately, in line with Provincial Care Service's policies.

**4.6** To adhere to the rights and wishes of Service Users and observe strictly the ethical code of confidentiality in all matters coming to their knowledge in the discharge of their duties.

**4.7** To maintain documentation in the Service User(s) home and elsewhere as requested by Provincial Care Services.

**4.8** To keep any appointments or arrangements that are made for them (by the Area Manager). Care Assistants who are unable to report for duty for any reason whatsoever must telephone the Area Manager immediately to arrange a replacement. Under no circumstances may any person who is not under contract to Provincial Care Services be introduced as a Care Assistant to Service Users.

**4.9** To inform Provincial Care Services immediately if they wish to leave their duty before it is completed so that alternative arrangements can be made to ensure the Service User is not uncared for.

**4.10** To be aware by constant observation of any changes in Service Users mental and / or physical condition and report to a qualified nurse and / or GP forthwith. Care Assistants should also inform the Area Manager of Provincial Care Services.

**4.11** To notify changes of their address and / or telephone number to the Area Manager.

**4.12** To report to the office if team members have not turned up for work or if calls are being carried out incorrectly (for example a double up call carried out by one person).

**5.0** To wear the authorised Provincial Care Services uniform at all times with an Identification badge when they are providing services. These will remain the property of Provincial