Domestic Assistant

**RESPONSIBLE TO**:Manager

**Qualifications, Training and Experience**:

- Previous experience is not essential as training can be given
- To have a genuine interest for older people
- To be willing to participate in National Vocational Training Programmes
- To have good communication skills
- To have the ability to work effectively within a team environment.

**Main Aims of the Job**:

- To implement a good standard of cleanliness and hygiene within the workplace
- To promote a safe environment for all residents, staff and visitors to the home
- To work in conjunction with the maintenance man
- To be able to work as a team under the supervision of the nurse in charge, matron or manager
- To contribute to the fulfilment of the individual resident’s personal needs; to ensure that they enjoy a good quality of life by sustaining a friendly, caring environment
- To ensure that residents retain their dignity, choice and individuality
- To assist in the induction, training and supervision of junior staff members in all aspects of their work in the home, when required.

**Key Responsibilities**:

- To work as part of a team under the supervision of the housekeeper, nurse in charge or matron
- To contribute to the fulfilment of the individual resident’s personal needs; to ensure that they enjoy a good quality of life by sustaining a friendly, caring environment
- To ensure that residents retain their dignity, choice and individuality
- To help induct, train and supervise junior members of staff in all aspects of their work in the home
- To work in conjunction with the maintenance team
- To ensure that residents’ rooms are adequately heated and ventilated
- To ensure full privacy and dignity for each resident when entering their room
- To ensure that no cleaning is undertaken while residents are in their room, unless it is necessary to do so or the resident has permitted it
- To ensure that all housekeeping cupboards that contain cleaning fluids are kept locked at all times
- To ensure that all cleaning equipment and materials are not left unattended
- To ensure that all housekeeping cupboards are kept clean and tidy
- To ensure that all soap dispensers are refilled when necessary
- To ensure adequate supply of hand towels and toilet rolls
- To ensure you report to the appropriate person when supplies are running low
- To ensure that bathrooms and sluices are cleaned daily
- To keep all records of domestic work completed in the appropriate book for each shift.

**General**:

- To attend and participate in staff meetings and attend all mandatory training when required
- To attend supervision and appraisals, ensuring that you are adequately prepared for these when required
- To attend any other training when a need has been identified
- To assist with domestic duties in the home including cooking, cleaning, and laundry, when required
- To communicate effectively with other staff, relatives and visitors (including professional agencies) regarding residents
- To answer the door and telephone appropriately; to respond accordingly, and to pass on any messages promptly
- To make visitors feel welcome; to provide refreshments or assistance when required
- To report any faults or defects in the home to the appropriate person or the nurse in charge
- To be fully aware of the Fire Policy and food hygiene regulations
- To ensure familiarity with all current policies and procedures and to understand your duty to comply with and implement them when necessary
- To wear the uniform provided along with plain, black trousers and flat, sensible shoes at all times
- To be aware of the residents’ confidentiality at all times.
- To ensure that you do not use a mobile phone while on duty
- To ensure that all information of a confidential nature gained in the course of duty is not divulged to third parties
- To understand your duty to whistleblow if you witness bad practice or harm to a resident within the home
- To wear an identification badge
- To promote and ensure the good reputation of the organisation

**Health and Safety**:

- To ensure that you work in a safe environment in accordance with the _Health and Safety at Work etc. Act_ (HSWA)
- To assist in the maintenance of a safe and healthy work environment by understanding and ensuring adherence to the home’s health and safety policies and procedures, including regarding fire
- To be aware of and understand the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations
- To ensure that all COSHH records are maintained and updated when necessary
- To practice and promote safe working practices within the home
- To take responsibility for your own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by your acts or omissions
- To be fully aware and comply with infection control policies and procedures and appropriate hand hygiene technique
- To use hand gel only on hands that are visibly clean
- To report immediately to the nurse in charge any illness of an infectiou