(CR) Senior Care Assistant - Lawnfield House

Please note this post may close earlier if there are sufficient applications.

Council: Council for Social Witness (Disability Services)

Salary: £13.80 - £13.90 per hour

Hours: 25 hours per week (nights) & 12.5 hours per week (days)

Responsible to: Service Manager

About The Role: Aaron House, part of the Council for Social Witness (Disability Services), is looking for a Senior Care Assistant to join our team. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of our residents, providing care within a Christian ethos that values both physical and spiritual well-being.

Main responsibilities:

• As part of the management team under the Service Manager, help ensure the effective and efficient day-to-day operation of the home.
• Maintain high standards of professional care practice as required by the Northern Ireland Social Care Council, while working within the Christian ethos of the Council for Social Witness.
• In the absence of the Service Manager or Deputy Service Manager, take responsibility for all aspects of the operation of the home, interacting with relatives and professionals and ensuring smooth operations.

Responsibilities and duties:

• Care Responsibilities: Assist with the design, plan and implementation of individual programmes of care for residents, ensuring and promoting resident involvement. Monitor, evaluate and review programmes of care to achieve high standards and provision of a quality service, identifying met/unmet needs. Help residents with all aspects of personal care where necessary, upholding privacy and dignity, choice and consent. Encourage residents to be as active and independent as possible. Arrange and/or accompany residents to medical/health appointments and on social outings. Liaise with multi-disciplinary support agencies to meet holistic care needs. Administer medicines in accordance with policies. Plan, implement and supervise residents' creative activities and recreation daily, maintaining records. Ensure health, safety and well-being of residents, staff and visitors; administer PEG feeds as required.
• Leadership and training: Undertake staff supervision as directed, contribute to staff appraisals and development plans; promote team building; participate in QCF assessments and ensure effective handovers and adherence to all rules and reporting mechanisms. Assist with staff training and support to ensure compliance with professional standards and Codes of Practice; implement Quality Assurance programmes. Facilitate effective communication and work with the support team to meet service user objectives; assist with rota management; manage monthly medication process following policies and protocols.
• Administrative duties: Deal with enquiries, maintain confidential records, and ensure daily records of service provision are in service user files; write evaluations of care interventions and progress reports; report changes or concerns to the Service Manager; manage service user monies and petty cash as applicable. Be familiar with all Policies and Procedures and deliver services in compliance with PCI; maintain a sustainable service per contractual arrangements.
• Other duties as required to support residents and the Home, including weekend, night and bank holiday working as needed.

Meetings and Training: Attend Senior Care Assistant meetings and general staff meetings with the Service Manager. Attend individual supervision; participate in mandatory in-service training. Develop knowledge to meet regulatory standards and understand effects of learning, physical, and sensory disability on individuals.

Health and Safety: Follow The Presbyterian Church in Ireland Health and Safety Policy and Safeguarding policies. Conduct all activities safely; perform health and safety monitoring checklists and audits; report repairs and maintenance needs.

Additional Duties: Lead/organise Daily Devotions for Residents; liaise with local clergy regarding the spiritual programme. Carry out any other reasonable duties as required by Home Management to support residents’ well-being.

This job description is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive and can be changed or augmented at any time to meet changing needs. Duties include weekend work, bank holidays, nights and weekends.

Why Join Us? Make a meaningful impact in the lives of residents. Work in a supportive environment that values physical and spiritual care. Opportunities for further training and development; be part of a dedicated, compassionate team.

Benefits: Discount card for local shops and restaurants, Free uniform and training, Enhanced annual leave, Free Access NI and NISCC registration, Enhanced maternity pay and pension scheme, Free employee assistance programme for staff and household members 16+ years.

Required Criteria:

• Experience of contributing to a care plan
• A good understanding of adults who require care
• NVQ/QCF level 3 in Health & Social Care or willingness to work towards within two years
• Awareness and understanding of Adult Safeguarding policy and procedures
• IT skills to use Microsoft Word, email, RQIA portal and electronic recording systems
• Minimum 2 years experience caring for older people, people with disabilities or mental health needs
• Willingness to achieve competency in administering medications within 4 weeks of start date
• Flexible hours including weekends; may include hours beyond normal shift patterns
• Registration on the Northern Ireland Social Care Council register
• Willingness to respect the Christian ethos of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland

Desirable Criteria:

• Knowledge of relevant legislation in residential settings
• Leadership experience in paid or voluntary roles
• 2 years+ experience in residential care
• Experience supervising other staff

Company and Role Context: About The Company: PCI is a large Christian denomination in Ireland with care provisions and community services.