Care Assistant

Purpose of Position: Carry out a range of care duties for residents, taking into consideration the individual physical, emotional, social, intellectual and spiritual needs of each resident.

Internal and External Contacts:

• Internal: Care Home Manager, Deputy, All other employees within the Home
• External: Residents, Residents family and friends

Responsibilities:

• Personal Care of the Residents: Assist the Residents in rising from bed, washing, dressing, bathing and general personal hygiene. Assist washing and toileting Residents including hair washing and shaving of male Residents. Observe physical well-being and report any significant changes in Resident’s well-being to the Senior Carer/Nurse on duty. Attend to sick Residents and perform such tasks as may be required e.g. serving meals on a tray, washing and combing hair, toileting bathing and attending to other aspects of hygiene as necessary. Use the equipment for manual handling of Residents. Assist Residents when required in retiring to bed. Help to serve meals to the Resident and assist more dependent Residents when necessary e.g. cutting up food for a blind Resident or by feeding him/her.
• Residents’ Clothing: Ensure that the Residents’ clothing is properly cared for and the performance of this duty shall include the following tasks: Ensure that each Resident has adequate clothing and report deficiencies. Ensure that clothing is clearly marked with the name of the Resident. Note any repairs needed and arrange for clothing to be repaired.
• Shopping: Assist when a Resident requires small items. The care assistant may with the approval of the Senior Carer on duty, help the Resident by purchasing these items.
• Trips and Outings: Accompany and assist Residents on trips, outings and hospital appointments.
• General: Be available to talk and listen to the Residents and to assist by reading to them and when necessary writing letters for them etc. when the time allows. Participate in fire drills. Encourage self-help and independence upholding the right of each individual Resident. Participate in activities such as music, reading, games and parties for the Residents. Give periodic reports to assist the review of individual Residents. Take on the responsibility of Primary Worker for a group of Residents. Care for the Residents’ spectacles, hearing aids, dentures, etc. and report any loss or damage immediately. Be responsible for the cleaning of footwear, hygiene of commodes and the cleaning of wheelchairs and walking aids.
• Meetings: Attend and participate in staff meetings.
• Confidentiality: Ensuring the confidentiality of Residents and their affairs and that details are not transmitted in any way without the express permission of the person in charge.
• Miscellaneous: Attend in-house in-service and external training courses. Respond in an emergency/crisis situation as requested by the Manager or Senior Member of staff. Perform other appropriate duties which the Senior Staff on duty may from time to time request. Be familiar with the Health & Safety Regulations as they relate to The Home. Participate in the appraisal system and The Home’s Business Plan. Any other reasonable duties as required.

Selection Criteria:

• Education/Training: Educated to GCSE
• Experience: 1+ years’ experience of working in Care (Desirable)
• Skills/Competence: Communication; Good command of both written and verbal English, Team-working, Committed to Results, Attention to Detail/Quality Focused, Customer Service
• Personal Attributes: Smart personal appearance, Professional/Confidential/Integrity, Patient/Calm/Understanding & Empathy, Warm/Friendly/Sense of Humour, Resilient, Flexible/Can-Do Attitude

Special Factors: None