Healthcare Assistant

Job Description

Title: Health care assistant

Report to:  Registered Manager 

Summary

The role of a care worker has many aspects, and this document sets out the principal functions of the job. It is not an exhaustive list of tasks involved, they will vary from Service User to another, but it is a guide to the type of work involved.

Description

It is important that all employees of the company follow the policies and procedures as laid out in the staff handbook. Policies and procedures are available from the office. The role of the care worker is to perform/support/assist with duties and tasks to facilitate the Service Users to live as independently as possible, in a safe, secure environment.

Duties

In order to carry out the role successfully the care worker must be aware of the needs of the service user and must communicate with all persons involved with the delivery of care. The care worker has a responsibility to inform the office of any change in health condition, cancellations, and issues/concerns immediately.

There will be specific tasks identified for a particular Service User, these tasks will be in the care plan which is in the Service User home. The care plan outlines the requirements agreed by the service User/family. The care worker will adhere to the Electronic Call Monitoring system and will be issued with a personal pin number at the start of employment.

The care worker will be briefed before undertaking any assignment with the specific tasks involved, but in every case it is incumbent upon the care worker to carry out the work in a safe and professional way and to adhere to the specific instructions whilst also following the Company’s policies and procedures.

Care workers are frequently the only people that a Service User may see on a daily basis and clearly there is a responsibility to report any relevant information back to the manager. It is not the role of the care worker to become involved in notifying family, friends, or relatives of changes. This will be carried out by the Office. Anyone who does not genuinely care about the welfare of other people will not be suitable for this position.

The PPE equipment provided by Immediate Quality Care, such as uniform, ID, gloves, aprons, face mask, hand sanitiser and shoe covers, are the responsibility of the care worker. It is the Care Worker’s responsibility to ensure PPE is collected from the office.

Care workers must have the means to travel place to place, either by use of their own vehicle or Public transport.

A thorough training programme is applicable to every member of Immediate Quality Care. This constitutes both initial and ongoing training and is a requirement of all staff. Every member of staff will be expected to pay for a DBS check before the start of work.

Job Specification

·  Genuine care for others

·  Good communication skills

·  Ability to understand what the role entails.

·  Ability to follow instructions.

Desirable

·  Experience in provision of care

·  Own transport

·  Flexible availability

Key Competencies

·  To be able to attend all calls allocated to them.

·  To understand the importance of such calls

·  To be able to cope with difficult and emergency situations.

·  To be able to communicate effectively.

·  To be able to maintain high standards whilst maintaining dignity and respect. 

Responsibilities

·  To visit nominated Service Users, at times directed by the Care Coordinators and management.

To be particularly vigilant for signs of distress or anxiety in Service Users; any deterioration in physical and /or mental health, or safety of the environment, and to report these as a matter of urgency to your manager or coordinator in her absence.

To carry out all tasks in a way that demonstrates respect for the privacy, dignity and value of all users, irrespective of severity or disability or personal circumstances.

To summon appropriate assistance in an emergency.  All actions should sustain, support and enhance the independence of Service Users, as specified in their care plan.

·  Personal Care (only where specified on the care plan and subject to appropriate review):

Assist Service Users in/out of bed, chairs, etc., using agreed procedures.  Assist Service Users in turning to relieve pressure areas. 

Assist Service Users in (un)dressing, care of aids and personal equipment (hearing aids, glasses, dentures, prosthesis, etc).

Assist Service Users in all aspects of personal hygiene, i.e. washing, shaving, showering etc.

Assist Service Users in feeding.

Assist Service Users to access toilet facilities, emptying commodes and disposal of incontinence materials, using agreed health and safety procedures. 

  Encourage Service Users to maximise their own abilities and skills.

·  Domestic

Where directed, maintain cleanliness of Service Users home, to meet with health and safety requirements.

Light fires or operate other sources of warmth. Where appropriate home facilities are available, launder and iron clothes and/or bed linen.

    Undertake essential shopping, payment of bills.

    Where directed prepare or reheat meals provided and/or demonstrate to service user.

·  Social

Actively encourage Service Users, according to their capabilities, to participate in all aspects of daily living activities.

  Develop and maintain personal contact with the Service User through talking and listening.

    Provide support as part of a caring team, liaising with informal carers, other agencies or

    professionals, as necessary. 

·  Collaboration with Other Agencies

Assist the management to maintain good relationships with other personnel involved in the care of the Service User, i.e. Community Nurses, Social Workers, G. P’s, etc., as part of a caring team.

·  General Duties

As required maintain accurate, legible, record and submit them on a regular basis to the manager.

Participate in Electronic Call Monitoring system as appropriate.

    Always maintain confidentiality.

    Advise Service Users of the complaint’s procedures (where appropriate)

    Participate in all training courses, including NVQ2 in Health and Social Care.

Comply with legal requirements (Domiciliary Care Agency (Wales) Regulations 2004) and National.   

    Minimum Standards; Health and Safety at Work Act, etc)

    Participate in meeting as appropriate and attend regular supervision sessions.

    Any other duties reasonably falling within the scope of the post. 

Be committed and promote i-care’s Equal Opportunity and Anti Discriminatory Policies and

Procedures in relation to both service provision and employment issues.