Care Assistant

Crossroads Care NI is a voluntary organisation whose sole purpose is to provide as much respite care as possible to carers of whatever age and disability.

Crossroads have been providing a service to Carers in Northern Ireland since 1979. We provide services through our domiciliary, Young Carers and In Your Prime projects.

Our mission is to provide quality, highly trained dependable staff to our customers, whenever they need us.

**OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE JOB**

To provide assistance and relieve stress on:
- The provision of care to any service user formally referred to Crossroads by Social Services and subsequent implementation of Personal Care Plan.
- The carer of a person with a disability living in their own home in order to prevent a breakdown in care.
- In circumstances where a person with a disability may live alone.

This will involve the provision of personal, social and domestic care similar to that given by the primary carer or as stipulated within a personal care plan in conjunction with advice from the Scheme Manager/ Director(s) of Operations respecting confidentiality at all times.

**Hourly Rate**:
Monday to Friday - £12 per hour

Saturday & Sunday £12.40 per hour

plus, mileage allowance of 25p per mile, up to £1 per hour

**Essential Criteria**:

- Right to live and work in the UK
- Full valid driving licence, access to a car and willing to obtain business use.
- Residing in the area advertised

**Desired Criteria**:

- Previous caring experience

**Location**:
We are currently recruiting in South Eastern Trust Area: Bangor & Newtownards

**About The Role**

**PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**
- Attend at the homes of families/individuals and perform duties as specified by the Scheme Manager/Director(s) of Operations and stipulated in a personal care plan.
- Comply with Registration Requirements of N.I.S.C.C.
- Comply with requirements of Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority
- Advise Scheme Management of any changes to your personal circumstances which impinge upon your duties as a care attendant.

**PERSONAL AND SOCIAL CARE TASKS**
- Bathing in bed/bathroom/chair to include essential aspects of personal hygiene.
- Assist in the management of continence of bladder and bowel.
- Assist with dressing and undressing.
- Assist with mobility and transfers, using correctly, any specialised equipment provided. Clients must not be moved / lifted without use of specialised equipment.
- Assist with feeding as stipulated in care plan.
- Administer only the medication as prescribed by a qualified medical practitioner under the direction of the Director(s) of Operations /Scheme Manager(s). Check for any changes that have been made in dosage and ensure recording of medication is made in the appropriate care plan document, and always comply with organisation’s medical policy
- Assist with therapeutic programmes designed, under medical direction, to help an individual’s progress, as advised by the relevant professional and under the direction of the Scheme Manager/ Director(s) of Operations.
- Assist with the provision of a safe environment for those who need constant supervision and help. This must be in accordance with current health and safety legislation.
- Assist with the provision of emotional support to the family as part of a caring team.
- Supervise the person with a disability outside the home as advised by Scheme Manager, with written permission from the disabled person, responsible carer or as is stipulated in the care plan.
- To effectively communicate with service users, work colleagues and managers.

**DOMESTIC TASKS**

Some light domestic duties may be carried out as follows:

- Making and changing the service user’s bed.
- Essential laundering for the service user only.
- Essential shopping for the service user only (receipts should be obtained for all purchases).
- Preparing meals for the service user and washing up thereafter.

**ADMINISTRATION AND TRAINING**
- Observe and report back promptly to the Scheme Manager(s) / Director(s) of Operations any alteration in the family circumstances affecting service provision.
- Liaise regularly with the Scheme Manager(s)/ Director(s) of Operations and colleagues.
- Provide flexible cover for colleagues in the event of holiday/sickness, or absence for personal reasons whilst working as part of a local team of Care Attendants.
- Attend regular team meetings as convened by the Scheme Manager(s)/ Director(s) of Operations. This is a contractual obligation.
- Complete accurately, correctly and submit to the Scheme Manager(s)/ Director(s) of Operations signed weekly time sheets and expense claims.
- Assist with completion of incident / accident forms accurately and submit promptly to the Scheme Manager(s)/ Director(s) of Operations.
- Place typed up Care Plans in client’s homes.
- Participate in an induction programme and attend ongoing in-service training determined by individual need; or organisational requirements or statutory obligatio