Health Care Assistant

**Job purpose**:
To deliver a high standard of care for the elderly clients who reside in the residential unit of Nazareth House Care Village. This will be done in a way that includes the resident’s spiritual, emotional, physical and social needs.

To deliver care with a caring, open and responsive approach which enables the resident to make an informed choice in relation to their care.

To ensure they have knowledge of and respect for their residents’ interests and preferred way of life by listening and responding to their suggestions.

**PRINCIPLE RESPONSIBILITIES**

1. To provide assistance and support to residents who need help with dressing, undressing, bathing and toileting in a dignified and respectful manner and by ensuring independence is promoted at all times.

2. To carry out key worker duties which include maintaining a high standard of cleanliness in the resident’s room, to assist with making and changing beds, tidy wardrobes and drawers.

3. To help with serving meals and assisting at meal time. This includes light house keeping duties.

4. To ensure that the resident’s clean laundry is put away daily in the appropriate place.

5. To ensure that all clients have clean towels and face cloths in their rooms and that soiled laundry is collected daily

6. To assist with the collection of clinical waste (soiled continence aids) from the residents’ rooms ensuring that infection control protocols are adhered to.

7. To take personal responsibility to attend all mandatory training and in house training and ensure that you continue to expand your knowledge base and skills.

8. To ensure that you keep an up-to-date record of your training as per NISCC guidelines and RQIA standards.

9. To assist residents with mobility aids and supervise when mobilising at times, to ensure safety is maintained and independence. Report any changes in mobility to the person in charge.

10. To ensure that your NISCC registration is kept up to date.

11. To promote the mental physical and social activity of the residents through assisting with activities, having knowledge of the resident’s preferences and wishes in addition to their physical abilities and constraints.

12. To spend one to one time with the residents for whom you have are key worker and assist them with activities and tasks, support and help as required. To ensure that they have an active and fulfilled life.

13. Observe, report and manage changes in residents’ behaviour with support from fellow colleagues and multi disciplinary team members and ensure that you promote continuity of care and maintain a positive approach in your role.

14. To have a good understanding and knowledge of the agreed care plans of the clients in your care including their wishes, choices and preferences.

15. To assist in the continual assessment and reassessment of the resident’s needs, and documentation as required.

16. To distribute and collect water jugs.

17. To prepare drinks and light refreshments for the resident at regular intervals through out the day and when requested by the resident.

18. Respond promptly to the nurse call system when activated throughout the unit.

19. Ensure that you remain up to date with the changing needs of the resident’s.

20. To spend time with relatives and /or the resident’s representatives and encourage their input and sharing of knowledge.

21. Remain courteous and approachable at all times, maintain a calm and pleasant demeanour.

22. Ensure that confidentiality is maintained at all times. No information received about Nazareth House Care Village and residents is discussed outside the Home. Residents’ personal affairs are not to be discussed with other residents. Always act in a professional manner and ensure that you treat all residents and their families equally, avoid becoming over familiar with relatives. Ensure the Home is not brought into disrepute, including but not limited to, making negative or disparaging comments on social media sites or similar.

23. Assist with the weighing of the clients on a weekly or monthly basis and report any changes to the person in charge.

24. To ensure that any concerns or complaints that are received by clients, family or their representatives or outside agencies are dealt with quickly and efficiently. Ensuring that they are reported to the person in charge and documented appropriately.

**ADMINISTRATION**

1. To ensure that keyworker’s task list is kept up to date.

2. To assist with the admission and discharge of clients

3. To maintain a daily record for the client and ensure it accurately reflects care provided, changes noted and their activities and social interactions throughout the day

4. To ensure that the communication book is utilised.

5. To record any health and safety issues or maintenance required in the maintenance book.

6. To ensure that all resident centred charts are kept up to date eg meals charts

7. To ensure an up to date record of the resident’s be