Care Assistant

Job description

Job Title: Care Assistant

Reporting to: Deputy Home Manager

Team Leader

**Job Purpose**:
To assist in the provision of care and work as part of a team to achieve the required standards.

To ensure clients retain their dignity and individuality.

To be involved in the general activities of the care centre.

**Skills, Knowledge & Qualifications**:
Required:

- Genuine interest in working within a caring environment
- Ability to communicate effectively at all levels
- Team Player
- Willingness to participate in Vocational Training Programmes
- Satisfactory Police Check and check against the POVA List (where applicable)

Desired:

- Relevant Vocational Qualification (achieved/working towards)
- Experience of working with the relevant client group.

**Main Responsibilities**:
Care:

- Ensure the highest possible levels of care are maintained by supporting/assisting clients, when required, with washing, toileting, undressing, and all other aspects of daily living.
- Assist clients in all aspects of their care needs (e.g. physical, emotional and spiritual). Provide attention when needed, whilst ensuring clients retain their comfort and dignity.
- Pay particular attention to assisting clients who have limited mobility, or physical/learning difficulties, making the best use of aids provided.
- Closely monitor clients who may be confused and/or who have behavioural problems.
- Assist in the promotion of continence.
- Assist in the delivery of care for clients who are dying or who have progressive illness. Assist with last offices.
- Observe care planning needs for clients and complete written daily records as instructed and in line with the Company’s policies and procedures.
- Assist in the framework of social activities by interacting with clients and helping them continue with hobbies and activities in the care centre.
- Answer Nurse call system, giving assistance as required. Answer the door and telephone appropriately. Respond accordingly, and pass on messages promptly.
- Under the supervision and guidance of senior care staff, report on the well-being of clients.
- Carry out regular checks on clients at intervals determined by senior staff members.
- Make visitors feel welcome. Provide refreshments/assistance as and when required.
- Make and change beds, ensure that rooms are clean and tidy, and commodes are empty, in line with the care centre’s disposal of waste policy. Ensure the care centre’s resources are used appropriately.
- Clean and maintain equipment used by clients/relatives e.g. wheelchairs, hearing aids, spectacles etc. Ensure the care centre is kept clean and tidy, in line with the Company’s attention to detail philosophy.
- If applicable, care for client’s 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 bereaved, in line with the Company’s policies & procedures.
- Assist clients 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 clients travelling to and from the care centre e.g. on social outgoings, hospital visits etc.
- Practice maximum integrity in all dealings with clients’ personal and financial affairs, and avoid abuse of the privileged relationship that exists with clients.

Communication:

- Participate in staff and client meetings as and when required.

Training & development:

- Maintain professional knowledge and competence.
- Attend mandatory training days/courses, on or off site, as and when required.
- Participate in relevant N/SVQ training to achieve required qualifications.

Health & Safety:

- Report immediately to the Home Manager, or Person in Charge, any illness of an infectious nature or accident incurred by a client, colleague, self or another.
- Understand, and ensure the implementation of, the care centre’s Health and Safety policy, and Emergency and Fire procedures.
- Report to the Home Manager, or the Handy Person, any faulty appliances, damaged furniture, equipment or any potential hazard.
- Promote safe working practice within the care centre.

General:

- Promote and ensure the good reputation of the care centre.
- Maintaining stocks of incontinence pads in bedrooms, bathrooms and toilets.
- Ensure that all information of confidential nature gained in the course of duty is not divulged to third parties.
- Notify the Home Manager, or Person in Charge, as soon as possible of your inability to report for duty, and also on your return to work from all periods of absence.
- Ensure the security of the care centre is maintained at all times.
- Adhere to all Company policies and procedures within the defined time scales.
- Ensure all equipment is clean and well maintained.
- Carry out any other tasks that may be reasonably assigned to you.

**Job Types**: Full-time, Part-time

**Salary**: From