Health Care Assistant

Job summary

Job Description:

No Recruitment Agency Applications and No sponsorships

Key Purpose

Our Health Care Assistants are active members of our compassionate care-giving team. They are a vital link between our Residents, the RGNs and other staff within the Home. HCAs will interact directly with our residents, providing comfort and transportation, monitoring their vital signs and assisting with their daily living needs.

Key responsibilities

1. Regular Care Tasks

a. To be the key worker to a group of residents as allocated by the Line Manager;

b. Move and assist residents in bed;

c. Mobilise residents using relevant aids;

d. Assist residents who need help to get in and out of bed, and to and from the toilet and other areas;

e. Wash and bath residents in bed or in the bathroom, including care of hair, teeth, nails and feet. Maintaining privacy, dignity, rights to independence and choice;

f. Assist residents with toilet requirements by:

a. giving and removing bedpans/urinals/commodes;

b. recording the output and fluid input when instructed;

c. obtaining specimens of urine for routine testing;

d. cleansing of resident following elimination;

e. changing of soiled products;

g. Dispose of soiled linen, clothing, waste etc., as defined in policies and procedures;

h. Make beds and help to make residents comfortable;

i. Prepare and serve fluids; assist residents to take fluids;

j. Give assistance in serving meals by:

a. assisting with choice of food and drink;

b. preparing residents for eating and drinking and assisting the resident as necessary;

k. Clean up spillages as they occur, using the appropriate equipment supplied (as specified in the Infection Control Policy);

l. Accompany residents to activities outside the Home;

m. Assist colleagues such as the Activities Co-ordinator, as required;

n. Observe and report any changes in a resident’s condition to the Nurse in Charge, and complete Daily Care Notes for all residents, documenting the care given to each resident during the applicable shift;

o. Assist residents to attend activities within the Home by the specified timetabled start time.

2. Specialist Care Tasks

(NB: undertaken only when working with a second person until Moving and Assisting training and Assessment has been completed, and the Health Care Assistant is deemed to be competent.)

a. Undertake specified care relating to prevention of tissue damage.

b. End of life care.

3. General

a. Maintain confidentiality at all times especially regarding information related to residents and their treatment;

b. Adhere to cross-infection policies when handling residents;

c. Handle residents’ property in accordance with Rusthall Lodge procedures;

d. Maintain a tidy and homely environment;

e. Take care of Rusthall Lodge property and equipment and report any faults and hazards to the Floor Manager;

f. Participate in orientation programmes;

g. Report any accidents or incidents (whether to residents, staff or visitors) to the Nurse in Charge and give such verbal or written statements as required;

h. Answer the telephone and ensure that the Nurse in Charge receives the call, or is given a message;

i. Direct specific enquiries about residents to the Floor Manager to respond to;

j. Relay any information given or concerns raised by a resident’s relatives to the Nurse in Charge;

k. Attend mandatory training and lectures;

l. Comply with Rusthall Lodge’s Policies and Procedures;

m. Take care of own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by your actions at work, which may include other staff members, residents and visitors;

n. Co-operate with the management team and co-workers to help everyone meet their legal requirements related to health and safety. Raise with the management team any specific queries or concerns relating to health and safety and support them to address health and safety issues;

o. Undertake such other tasks and duties as may be required.

Notes:

This job description is intended to reflect the major elements of the post and may be amended in the light of organisational and service changes in conjunction with the post holder.

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

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Free parking
• Life insurance
• On-site parking
• Sick pay
• Store discount

Schedule:

• Monday to Sunday
• Additional hourly rate for Weekends and Bank Holidays

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Tunbridge Wells, TN4 8SJ: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)