Care Assistant in Dorchester

The role of Care Assistant will involve you working within a team ensuring that they attend to the physical, emotional and social needs of our residents. In your role you will provide a high standard of care for the residents, support the care team in achieving a safe, homely environment in line with the Care Homes policies and procedures, this will involve working closely with the residents, staff and other team members. You will be responsible for ensuring that the Care Homes philosophy of privacy, dignity, independence, choice and rights are always maintained. The Care Assistant will follow the guidance and instructions of the Shift Lead who will allocate tasks and duties to you at the beginning and throughout the duration of your shift as deemed necessary. Your weekly hours will be detailed on the duty rota which is worked to meet the needs of the residents and Home.

Main Responsibilities

• To assist residents who need help with all personal care needs throughout each day with a main focus to when residents are getting up in the morning or going to bed at night. Tasks will include but not limited to dressing / undressing, washing / bathing, toileting, oral care, hair care etc.
• Support any needs with managing incontinence.
• Ensure that you always read and understand the care plans, these are live documents and are paramount to the resident’s care.
• Accurately document residents' care activities, observations, any changes in their condition in accordance with care home policies and procedures.
• You must remain familiar with the residents and adapt to any changing needs and change in their care requirements.
• Ensure that the skin integrity is checked when assisting with personal care, documenting all findings in the resident’s daily records.
• Inform the shift lead of any changes so they can amend care plans.
• To help residents with mobility difficulties and other physical disabilities, help in use and care of aids and personal equipment whilst always ensuring the residents dignity is maintained.
• Call bells must be shared equally between all care staff and the Shift Lead who will allocate each day.
• To help in the participation of activities for residents to support their mental, physical and social needs. This will involve participating with entertainment sessions, quality 1:1 time, external community activities and sharing with them in activities such as reading, writing, hobbies and recreations.
• Respect the residents wishes in how they wish to live their lives, maintain the dignity, privacy and confidentiality of the residents.
• General support with housekeeping in addition to the work housekeepers will be responsible for. Light duties will include: make and change beds, general tidy of bedrooms, do light cleaning.
• At times you may be asked to carry out the laundering and ironing of residents clothing and bed linen.
• To set tables and trays, serve meals, assist individual residents with their meals making sure you are fully aware at all times of the assistance level of the resident, prepare light meals, wash up, tidy and clear the dining room.
• To answer the door and telephone. Meet and greet all visitors in a professional and polite manner and undertake any reasonable duties as requested by the Shift Lead or Management.
• You will ensure all equipment is cleaned correctly and stored appropriately after each use, report to the Shift Lead/Management all faulty equipment and ensure it is labelled “do not use” and taken out of service.
• As a Care Assistant you will be required to undertake and attend all statutory training as required and any other training offered to develop further experience.
• You will maintain the homes responsibilities in relation to Health and Safety, Food Hygiene, Fire Precautions, Infection Control, First Aid and emergency procedures.
• Report all accidents involving residents, staff and visitors to Management or Shift Lead.
• To work in such a way that accidents to yourself and others are avoided, it is each person’s responsibility to secure a safe environment and bring any matters of security to the attention of the Management.
• You will be required to familiarise yourself with all policies and procedures for the Home.

This job description outlines the main duties and responsibilities of the post holder. The post may include duties and responsibilities that are not specified here.

Additional Details

• To cover maternity leave for one year.
• Shifts are 8am to 8pm, 36 hours per week.
• Alternate weekend availability essential.
• 5.6 weeks annual leave pro rata to contracted hours.
• Overtime rates available.
• Induction, mentoring, and training provided.
• Experience in a similar setting would be beneficial, delivering personal care, support with activities, developing relationships with friends and families.