Care Assistant

**Purpose of role**

To support service users with all aspects of their day to day living, so they can enjoy the best possible quality of life. Providing care and support is both a challenging and rewarding experience. Compassion, good communication skills and a calm and caring manner are essential for this important role in our company.

**Key responsibility**

Safely provide compassionate care and support that is person - centred for the individual’s needs and wishes. Respect each resident’s choices and cultural diversity and promote their dignity and independence at all times.

It is essential to report any changes or causes for concern to your line manager promptly. You need to be clear about when to seek help and advice in order to keep service users safe and promote their well-being.

**Care and support**

Give non-discriminatory care and support that values the diverse and unique qualities of each service user. See the whole person and not merely a list of care needs. Carefully listen and observe how service users prefer their care and support to be delivered on a day to day basis. Assist them to make their own decisions and to be as independent as possible.

Follow instructions in the care and support plan which has been agreed with each customer. This may include:

- All aspects of personal care
- Showering and bathing
- Dressing and grooming
- Toileting and continence care
- Teeth and dentures
- Encouraging, reminding; assisting
- Eating and drinking
- Gentle encouragement and help to eat and drink well
- Safely using aids and personal equipment in a manner that respects the dignity of customers. For example : - Standing and walking frames, Wheelchairs, manual and electric hoists, Sliding sheets and moving boards
- Hearing aids and other physical aids
- Answering emergency bells
- Assist in activities and recreations such as reading, photo albums, games, etc
- Supporting service users through temporary and terminal illness, including: -End of life care, escort to Hospital appointments, Liaising with community health support and families
- Adhering to all Infection Prevention and Control guidelines as per company policy

**Recording and reporting**

Record and report all relevant customer information including:
- The care and support that you provide daily
- Changes to a service user’s condition or other concerns
- Faulty equipment or hazards in the home
- Response to emergencies, accidents and incidents
- Safeguarding matters
- Contact with families or carers and other professionals
- Keep all information about service users confidential
- Work well as part of the team
- Follow the homes policies, procedures and guidance at all times
- Take part in staff and service user meetings
- Undertake all mandatory training and supervision
- Attend training courses and appraisal and development meetings
- Reporting all Health and Safety issues for assessment and rectification to the Senior Management

This list is not exhaustive and from time to time you may be required to undertake additional duties. We will provide full training in line with regulatory requirements.

**Role specification**

This provides a picture of skills, knowledge and experience required to carry out the role. We will use the essential criteria to select suitable applicants for this post. You should demonstrate, using examples where possible, how you meet the essential criteria.

**Personal attributes**
- Caring and compassionate towards people in need of care and support
- Respect for people suffering from a range of medical conditions with different backgrounds and beliefs to your own. Commitment to non-discriminatory care practice
- Self-motivated and keen to learn. Willing to seek guidance when needed and follow instructions
- Excellent time keeper and reliable
- Good hygiene practice, including personal hygiene, and a smart appearance
- Good stamina and a level of fitness to meet the physical demands of the job
- General understanding of the needs of people who require care and support
- Respect for the rights of our service users. Understanding the importance of giving the best possible care and support centred on the individual needs and wishes of each service user.
- Understanding of why confidentiality is important and what this means as a care worker

**Experience and skills**

Ability to listen, communicate clearly and build positive working relationships with service users, their families, staff and other social and health care professionals

Ability to give care and support to service users with aspects of their daily living in a manner that respects their dignity, is non
- judgmental and promotes their independence, choices and privacy

Good organisational skills, so all service users receive the services they require

Ability to use own initiative and work alone or as part of a team especially in an emergency

Ability to keep written records in clear English about the care and support given to each service user.