Senior Care Assistant

_**Job Description for Senior Carer**_

**Job Purpose**:

- To carry out and supervise the provision of quality care, in partnership with staff team, Residents and families.
- To ensure Residents retain their dignity and privacy.
- To maintain a safe and secure environment for Residents, Staff Members and Visitors.
- To administer medication when appropriate and oversee the care of Residents.

**Skills, knowledge and qualifications**

**Required**:

- Minimum NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care
- Genuine interest in, and experience of working with, the relevant Client group for minimum 2 years as a Senior carer
- Ability to communicate effectively at all levels with a multidisciplinary team
- Satisfactory DBS check and check against the ISA List (where applicable)

**Desirable**
- Medication training or must be willing to undertake
- Experience of leading a team and willingness to undertake relevant course
- Experience of Care planning

**Reporting to**:Nurse in charge, deputy Home Manager or Manager

**MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES**
- Support senior staff such as nurses and management in planning work schedules taking into consideration residents’ needs and priorities and provide highest possible levels of care by supporting/assisting Residents, when required, with all aspects of daily living.
- Support induction and supervision of junior and new Staff Members in all aspects of their work in the home.
- Assist in maintaining hydration/nutritional needs of residents, monitor skin integrity and ensure prescribed positional changes take place.
- Ensure documentation is completed and recorded accurately in a timely manner
- 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.
- Develop strong communication between care teams on day and night duty/ liaise with nursing staff.
- Ensure full privacy and dignity is maintained for the dying and the bereaved, in line with the company’s policies and procedures supporting junior members of staff.
- Participate in Staff and Client meetings as and when required - support nurses in care review meetings - CHC assessments.
- Maintain professional knowledge and competence - develop areas of good practice for discussion with Manager/Deputy
- Attend mandatory training days/courses, and an additional course appropriate to resident’s needs and extending knowledge to other team members improving implemented care/needs to residents.
- Understand, and ensure the implementation of, the Homes Health and Safety policy, and Emergency and Fire procedures.
- Report to the handyperson or the person in charge any faulty appliances, damaged furniture, equipment or any potential hazard.
- Promote safe working practice within the Home including completion of accurate documentation and monitoring of documentation that reflects resident’s health status.
- Ensure that all information of confidential nature gained in the course of duty is not divulged to a third party.
- 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.
- Complete written daily records as instructed and in line with the Company’s policies and procedures.
- Whilst liaising with trained staff, care plans to be kept up to date and evaluated monthly
- Assist in framework of social activities by interacting with Residents and helping them continue with hobbies and activities in the Home
- Assist the Nurse in charge in carrying out medication administration when appropriate in line with Policy, including ordering, returns and reviews with GP and other health professionals.
- Assist other visiting professionals, such as Dietician, Podiatrist etc. and report to nurse in charge and document in care plan
- 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. in conjunction with the nurse in charge
- 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 Care Homes’ 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.