Care Assistant

Purpose of Position
• To enable and / or assist individuals to remain in the community, to be supported and maintained safely in their own homes and thereby enhance the quality of life.
• Encouraging your service user’s individuality and independence
• Helping your service user to maintain relationships with neighbours, the neighbourhood and familiar activities and surroundings, providing social contact, especially for service users who live alone
• Assisting other care workers and professionals to provide care for your service user
• Being the face of ‘care in the community’ and acting as our representative

Responsibilities

Principle Responsibilities; 1. 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.; 2. 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 maximize their own abilities and skills; 3. 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.; 4. 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.; 5. 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.; 6. General Duties

Requirements

Desirable:; · NVQ Level 2 Health and Social Care (a); · Have an understanding of the relevant Health and Safety Legislation for Movement and Handling (a & i); · Complete NVQ 2 within 2 years of course commencement if not qualified (a & i); · Understand the effects of ageing, disability, incapacity and illness and the effects these can have on a Service Users’ well being (a & i); · Previous experience working in Homecare setting (a); · Relevant NVQ or similar qualifications (a); · Experience in organizing and facilitating group activities for an elderly client group (a); · Understanding elderly health issues (a & i)