Health Care Assistant

Job summary

Purpose of position:

To share with other staff in meeting the personal care needs of residents in way that respects the dignity of the individual and promotes independence and to help in the day to day activities of the home.  Care provided by care assistants is expected to be care that would reasonably be given by the resident’s family members and not the duties usually undertaken by a trained nurse, unless specifically trained for that procedure or supervised by a trained nurse.

Principal responsibilities:

1.  To assist residents who need help with getting up in the morning, dressing, undressing, washing, bathing and the toilet.

2.  To help residents with mobility problems and other physical difficulties, including incontinence; help with the use of aids and personal equipment.

3.  To care for residents who are temporarily sick and needing, for example minor dressings, bed nursing, help with feeding.

4.  To help care for residents who are dying.

5.  To help in the promotion of mental and physical activity of residents through talking to them, taking them out, sharing with them activities such as reading, writing, hobbies and recreations.

6.  To make and change beds, empty commodes, tidy rooms and light cleaning.

7.  To set tables and trays, serve meals, assist with feeding if needed, prepare light meals and clear and tidy the dining room.

8.  To answer emergency bells, the door and the telephone, greet visitors.

9.  To read and write reports; take part in staff meetings and in training sessions as directed.

10.  To perform other duties as may reasonably be required.

11.  To comply with the homes guidelines and policies at all times.

12.  To report to the senior carer or deputy manager any significant changes in the health or circumstances of the residents.

13.  To encourage the residents to be as independent as possible.

Medication

You may also be required to attend training, if asked to do so by the management, for the safe handling and administration of medication.  ~On successful completion of the training you may be asked to safely handle and administer medication to the residents.

The training and subsequent practice of the safe handling of medication includes administration of prescribed medicines, use of non-prescription and homely medicines and all aspects relating to their supply, storage and  disposal.

To provide night duty cover in the home and to undertake certain domestic dutes which can be performed during the night hours?

Principal responsibilities

1.  To carry out a regular checks on residents at intervals determined by the Home Manager and with due regard for residents privacy and dignity.

2.  To carry out regular checks on the building at intervals determined by the Home Manager with special preference to fire prevention and security.

3.  To answer emergency bells or calls from residents, to assess the situation, to deal with resident seeking help and to summon seniors on call whenever necessary.

4.  To assist residents who need help or reassurance.

5.  To assist the day staff in preparing residents for bed and in the mornings as directed.

6.  In the time available between attending to residents, undertake domestic duties primarily in the fields of laundry, food preparation, or dusting and cleaning as directed.

7.  To maintain accurate notes and records in resident’s files and to handover information to day staff that is relevant to the ongoing care of the residents. 

8.  Such other duties as may reasonably be required by the Home Manager.

9.  To attend all mandatory training and staff meetings arranged by Beachlands.

Personal specification-Essential Criteria

1.  Self-motivated

2.  Organized

3.  Flexible

4.  Caring

5.  Sensitive of the needs of others and to the sick or infirm

6.  An active team player, but also able to work on initiative

7.  A good communicator

All staff are expected to respect the confidentiality of all matters that they might learn in the course of their employment.  All staff are expected to respect the requirements under the Data Protection Act 1998 and GDPR.

All staff must ensure that they are aware of their responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.