Senior Care Assistant

**Home Name**:The Lodge Care Home

**Location**:Farnham Road, South Shields

**REPORTING TO: Qualified Nursing Staff (Nursing Home)**

**Home Manager (Residential & Nursing Homes)**

**Deputy Home Manager (Residential & Nursing Homes) And/or Team Leader**

**About the company**:
Marton Care, is a modern company, with old fashioned values surrounding the loving care of vulnerable and elderly people. We believe that everyone deserves the very best that life has to offer in their dignified later years and our company is dedicated to achieving this.

At Marton Care our mission is to provide our Residents with a happy quality of life, exercising maximum independence, autonomy through choice and fulfilment, quietly and discreetly ensuring they are looked after in every way, in a warm and safe environment. Nursing and Residential care are just further chapters in a person’s life and our philosophy is to create a home from home environment. Our high standard of care embraces ‘Good Care Practice’ with a commitment to our staff to train and support them to become the best they ca be.

**JOB PURPOSE**:To plan, implement and supervise the provision of quality care, in conjunction with Residents. To ensure Residents retain their dignity and individuality. To be involved in the general activities of the Home. To maintain a safe and secure environment for Residents, Staff Members and Visitors.

**MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES**
- Ensure the highest possible levels of care are maintained by supporting/assisting Residents, when required, with all aspects of daily living.
- Support training and supervision of junior and new Staff Members in all aspects of their work in the Home, under the supervision of senior Staff Members.
- Assist Residents in all aspects of their care needs (e.g. physical, emotional and spiritual). Provide supervision and attention when needed, ensuring Residents retain their comfort and dignity.
- Pay particular attention to assisting Residents who have limited mobility, or physical / learning difficulties making the best use of aids provided.
- Closely monitor Residents who may be confused and/or who have behavioural problems.
- Assist in the promotion of continence.
- Assist in the delivery of care for Residents who are dying or who have a progressive illness. Assist with last offices.
- Complete, observe & review care planning needs for Residents, and complete written daily records as instructed and in line with the Company’s policies and procedures.
- Assist in framework of social activities by interacting with Residents and helping them continue with hobbies and activities in the Home.
- Answer Nurse call system, giving assistance as required. Answer the door and telephone appropriately. Respond accordingly, and pass on messages promptly.
- Report on well-being of Residents and liaise with GPs and Support Managers etc.
- Carry out regular checks on Residents at intervals determined by senior Staff Members.
- Make Visitors feel welcome. Provide refreshments/assistance as and when required.
- Make and change beds, ensuring that rooms are clean and tidy, and commodes are empty, in line with the Home’s disposal of waste policy. Ensure the Home’s resources are used appropriately.
- Clean and maintain equipment used by Residents / Relatives e.g. wheelchairs, hearing aids, spectacles etc. Ensure the Home is kept clean and tidy, in line with the Company’s attention to detail philosophy.
- If applicable, care for Residents’ clothing and rooms as named, and ensure that all clothing is recorded and clearly marked.
- Ensure full privacy and dignity is maintained for the dying and the bereaved, in line with the Company’s policies and procedures.
- Assist Residents who need help during meal times (be aware of swallowing difficulties, dietary requirements etc.). Assist with serving of food / drinks as requested / required. Wash up as requested / required.
- Escort Residents travelling to and from the Home e.g. on social outings, hospital visits etc.
- Practice maximum integrity in all dealings with Residents' personal and financial affairs, and avoid abuse of the privileged relationship that exists with Residents.

Care of Residential Residents (where applicable):

- Dispense medication, and ensure correct recording of all relevant information relating to medication (after satisfactory completion of the Safe Handling of Medicines course).
- Ensure all holistic assessments are carried out when Residents are admitted to the Home. e.g. covering nutritional and incontinence issues, risk assessment etc.

**Communication**:

- Participate in Staff and Resident meetings as and when required.
- Participate/contribute to formal 6-month Resident reviews.

**Training and Development**:

- Maintain professional knowledge and competence.
- Attend mandatory training days/courses, on or off site, as and when required.
- Participate in relevant QCF/NVQ training to achieve required qualifications.
- Supervision with Line Manager every 2