Practice Development Health Care Assistant

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Health Care Assistant/Health Care Support Worker to join a developing team working in healthcare training and education. The right person will be passionate about contributing to a positive culture of training; aiding others to develop their skills and knowledge which are relevant to their area of work.

You will be assigned a group of homes within LV Care Group in which you will rotate in between to carry out work-based training and competency assessments. This will include but not be limited to moving and handling practical training and assessments; Care Certificate assessments. Full training will be given. These days may not be consecutive and will be based on business need (it could include nights and weekend working on occasion). You will be expected to work various shift patterns to ensure that all staff have access to training and assessment opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

• Delivering and assessing work-based training, including but not limited to moving and handling practical training, Care Certificate competencies, any other work-based training allocated by the Head of Training and Education.
• Contribute to, and encourage the development of, evidence-based practice and to incorporate research and evaluation into all Practice Development activities.
• Where appropriate, facilitate the involvement of service users/their relatives to ensure that they feel engaged in the development and delivery of Practice Development.
• To be an active member of the Care Academy team, representing Care Academy at meetings, working groups and committees as relevant.
• To work collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary team at all levels and facilitate the development of evidence-based practice which supports the safe, effective and person-centred practice.
• Undertake clinical shifts to promote best practice and support the clinical team.
• Work as a team to provide high quality care to service users in line with regulatory standards.
• Promoting and safeguarding the welfare of service users.
• Support the service users and ensure personal care tasks are carried out to enhance and support the independence of the service user in line with care plans.
• Review progress of care with the service user and report signs of deterioration in physical and mental health appropriately.
• Follow policies and procedures to maintain the highest standards of infection prevention and control.
• Measure effectiveness of service user’s care plan with inter-disciplinary team; providing care improvement recommendations when required.
• Carry out tasks in a way that will demonstrate respect for dignity and privacy of service users.
• Respect the rights and choices of the service user.
• Participate in audits, as requested and required.
• Act in accordance with all legal requirements; fostering treatment practices and standards of care that comply to the values of the home whilst observing governing regulations.
• Encourage positive social interaction with service users.
• Attend and participate in supervision meetings and appraisals where required.
• Comply with all respective company policies and procedures.

Personal Care Responsibilities

• Assisting service users to mobilise in accordance with best moving and handling practices and care plans.
• Assisting service users to maintain a good dietary intake of food and drinks, in accordance with training and care plans.
• Undertake roles in relation to medication administration (this is role specific and must be carried out at the discretion of management and in-line with training, local standards and company policy).
• Encourage service users to be as independent as possible with their personal care requirements.

Training:

• On the job training; supporting new and current staff to further develop their roles.
• Carry out competency assessments in practice as delegated by the Head of Training and Education.
• Maintain own professional development through own training and education.

Audit:

• Contribute to the established audit cycle, as required and delegated.

Clinical Practice:

• Advise, guide and inform staff on clinical issues as appropriate to practice development initiatives.
• Maintain clinical practice through regular clinical sessions.
• Utilise clinical knowledge and experience when participating in clinical practice and advising staff on the assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of service user care.
• Ensure that own practice reflects current clinical knowledge and evidence.
• Promote and support innovation in practice.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Level 2 RQF in Adult Care/ Level 2 Diploma in Health and Social Care (or equivalent).
• Minimum 5 years working as a Health Care Assistant.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to work autonomously.
• Teaching/training experience (informal or formal).
• Own transport.
• Computer skills.
• Ability to communicate with a range of people, both service users and staff.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development.
• Self-motivation and ability to work under pressure.
• 5 years residency.

Desirable:

• Training/education/assessor qualification, or willingness to work towards and complete such qualification if deemed appropriate to role.

Benefits

• Undertaking a carefully selected education and training development pathway.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Pension.
• 4 weeks holiday allowance.
• A rewarding and fulfilling role where no two days will be the same!