Health Care Assistant

**Job description**

**JOB DESCRIPTION**

**POSITION**: Health Care Assistant

**RESPONSIBLE TO: Manager**

**Purpose of Position**
- To enable and/or assist individuals to remain in the community, to be supported and maintained safely in their own homes, and thereby enhance the quality of life.
- Encouraging our service user’s individuality and independence
- Helping our service user to maintain relationships with neighbours, the neighbourhood, and familiar activities and surroundings, providing social contact at each visit.
- To work as part of a team, assisting other care workers and professionals to provide care for our service user
- Being the face of ‘care in the community and acting as our representative'

**Principle Responsibilities**
- **To visit Service Users, at the times directed by the Care Coordinator(s) and management.**
- **To be particularly vigilant**_ for signs of distress or anxiety in Service Users; any deterioration in physical and /or mental health, or safety of the environment, and to report these as a matter of urgency to your manager or coordinator in her absence.
- **To carry out all tasks in a way that demonstrates**_ respect for the privacy, dignity, and value of all users, irrespective of severity or disability, or personal circumstances.
- **To summon appropriate assistance in an emergency.**_ All actions should sustain, support, and enhance the independence of Service Users, as specified in their care plan.
- **Assist Service Users in/out of bed, chairs, etc**_., putting into practice your training and using agreed procedures. Assist Service Users in turning to relieve pressure areas.
- **Assist Service Users in (un)dressing**_, care of aids, and personal equipment (hearing aids, glasses, dentures, prostheses, etc).
- **Assist Service Users in all aspects of personal hygiene**_, i.e. washing, shaving, showering, etc.
- **Assist Service Users in feeding.**_
- **Assist Service Users to access toilet facilities**_, emptying commodes, and disposing of incontinence materials, using agreed health and safety procedures.
- **Encourage Service Users to maximise**_ their abilities and skills

**Domestic**
- **Where directed, maintain the cleanliness**_ of the Service User's home, to meet infection control, health, and safety regulations.
- **Light fires or operate other sources of warmth**_ as requested or agreed to in the care plan.
- **Where appropriate home facilities may be required, which include**:_

laundering and iron clothing and/or bed linen.

Undertake essential shopping and payment of bills.

Where directed prepare or reheat meals provided and/or demonstrate to the service user.

**Social**
- **Actively encourage Service Users**_, according to their capabilities, to participate in all aspects of daily living activities.
- **Develop and maintain personal contact**_ with the Service User through talking and listening.
- **Provide support as part of a caring team**_, liaising with informal carers, other agencies, or professionals as necessary.
- **Provide companionship at home and/or on outings. **_For example, you may be required to stay with a user for one or more hours during the daytime to ensure their safety or you may be required to take the service user to an appointment or shopping.

**Collaboration with Other Agencies**
- **Assist the management to maintain**_ good relationships with other personnel involved in the care of the Service User, i.e. Community Nurses, Social Workers, G.P’s, etc., as part of a caring team.

**General Duties**

**Complete and Maintain **_accurate, legible, records at the end of each visit using the Roundsys software._

**Participate in Electronic Call Monitoring system** as appropriate and in place by Employees under their agency terms agreement

**Maintain confidentiality at all times,** _sharing information with those that need to know only._

**Remind Service Users of their right to complain and inform the Registered Manager that a complaint has been mentioned to you.**

**Decision-Making Authority**

**To be responsible for any day-to-day **decisions within the confines of the duties allocated and Job Description - ensuring that you report back to the office on a daily basis providing an update on the wellbeing and needs of the service user.

**Qualification and Experience**

**Desirable but not essential**

Have either a Level 2 / Level3 Diploma in Health and Social Care or equivalent, or work towards the qualification.

**Essential**

Complete all Mandatory Training for Health and Social Care

Attend at least 2 in 4 Team Meetings

Complete Practical Training for People Moving and Handling

Complete Medication Training

Complete theory in moving and people training

Understand the effects of aging, disability, incapacity, and illness and the effects these can have on a Service User’s well-being.

Training will be given.

**Special Conditions**

**Enhanced Criminal Record Bureau Disclosures (Enhanced DBS & Vetting Check)**

**SP