Senior Care Assistant

**JOB PURPOSE**
- To assist the Registered Manager, Deputy Manager of the Residential Unit.
- To lead, co-ordinate and supervise a team of health care assistants to ensure delivery of high quality person centred care by promoting best practice.
- To assist and deputise for the Registered Manager in maintaining efficient and effective day to day operation of the home in their absence.

**DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES**
- To organise and prepare for admission and discharge of patients.
- To promote and safeguard the welfare of vulnerable adults following and implementing safeguarding procedures as appropriate.
- To assist in the development and implementation of risk assessments relating to individuals care taking in to account the physical and emotional needs of the patient.
- To ensure that medication is administered as prescribed by the medical practitioner and appropriate records are accurately maintained, order and maintain stock control of medication.
- To complete formal supervision of care assistants and manage when appropriate.
- To be responsible for the allocating, organising and prioritising of tasks relevant to day to day care and support of patients and efficient running of the home including rota management.
- To be responsible for the induction and development of staff, undertaking formal supervision and appraisals including maintaining up-to-date records of supervision and reviews and demonstrate adherence to relevant policies and procedures.
- To complete accurate records relaying to accidents/incidents, complaints and safeguarding, to ensure that relevant investigations/immediate actions are carried out and reported to the Registered Manager and other relevant agencies as appropriate.
- To work flexibly to meet the needs of the service which may include night shifts cover and will include working weekends and bank holidays.

**Communication**
- To communicate efficiently and effectively to assist patients and carers to maximise rehabilitation potential and ensure understanding of their condition /needs. This should include appropriate use of motivational techniques, explanation and gaining informed consent.

When gaining informed consent barriers to effective communication will regularly be evident (e.g. Loss of hearing, altered perception, expressive and receptive dysphasia, pain and fear). Appropriate solutions to address the issues should be explored.
- To communicate effectively and work collaboratively with medical, nursing, social services and other therapy colleagues to ensure delivery of a co-ordinated multidisciplinary service. This could include case conferences, ward rounds, MDT meetings and discharge planning.
- To establish and maintain rapport with residents, patients, clients and carers.
- To establish and maintain productive working relationships with other members of the multi-disciplinary team.
- To develop a range of approaches in order to motivate patients, carers and support staff.

**Analytical Tasks**
- To evaluate the patients’ understanding in order to gain valid informed consent and have the ability to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.
- To be able to analyse and interpret information from a range of sources and make recommendations for other professional intervention if required.

**Planning and Organisational Skills**
- To prioritise and manage a large and complex work load and delegate responsibilities to care staff as appropriate.
- To accept responsibility for a designated workload/ shift and to organise this effectively and efficiently with regard to clinical & non-clinical priorities and use of time.
- To work closely with other professionals by participating in discharge planning and MDT meetings and provide appropriate feedback to facilitate discharge.
- To monitor, plan and organise for own training and development needs and attend all statutory and mandatory training in a timely manner in compliance with the training matrix.

**Physical Skills**
- To be able to move and handle patients in a safe and effective manner using skills and techniques learned via training.
- To maintain up to date training and knowledge of moving and handling and basic life support skills.
- To be responsible for the safe use and transport of equipment when carrying out duties. To adhere to service policy including competence to use equipment.

The Senior Care Assistant will need to be able to act in a responsible and professional manner at all times to:

- Be physically capable of carrying out a range of basic nursing and care duties including hygiene/comfort/pressure area cares.

**Responsibility for Patient Care**
- To undertake duties as part of the plan of care prescribed by the Multi-disciplinary team members.
- To deliver effective, basic nursing care and therapy interventions, ensuring patient comfort, safety and dignity at all times.
- To communicate effectively and sensitively to patients and carers.

**Policy and Serv