ST. MICHAELS HOUSE

Job Title

Intern Care Assistant

Immediate Supervisor (post level within structure)

Head of Unit

Salary Scale

€21,741 – Year 1

€23,020 – Year 2

Overall purpose of the job

The overall purpose of the Intern Care Assistant role is to provide a key-working and caring role for a group of Service Users. The Intern Care Assistant is responsible for all aspects of personal care required. This includes meals, personal hygiene and other related aspects of physical wellbeing.

The Intern Care Assistant is responsible for providing the highest possible standard of care to clients in their care. They will ensure that services are delivered in a safe, secure homely environment where clients will enjoy a standard of living comparable to that of their peers.

An element of the Intern Care Assistant role is to assist and support clients with development on Individual Plan’s and achievement of associated outcomes. In addition, a critical component of this role is to support Service Users in community participation and integration.

Intern Care Assistants are required to work closely with and under guidance from their Head of Unit in all aspects of their role

It is the responsibility of the Intern Care Assistant with other staff to ensure that the life of each client incorporates the five core values, which will assist them reach, their full potential and provide opportunities for new experiences. These values are:

  • Dignity and respect,
  • Sharing ordinary places
  • Growing in relationships
  • Making choices
  • Making a contribution

Principle qualifications required

  • Minimum FETAC level 5 in a Caring/education/ID related subject
  • Full Clean Irish Driver License

Experience Required

  • At least 1 years previous experience of supporting individuals with Intellectual disability
  • Experience of community involvement
  • Experience in the area of challenging behavior

Main duties/responsibilities

Health and Safety

  1. It is the responsibility of the Intern Care Assistant to engage in work practices, which strictly adhere to the Health and Safety policy of the organisation. Staff must correctly use all safety equipment provided and in the manner explained e.g. hoists, aides, harnesses etc.
  1. Take responsibility for the general health and safety of clients. Observe Physical wellbeing on a daily basis. Respond appropriately and notify co-ordinator (in absence of co-ordinator report to manager) of any concerns.
  1. Take responsibility for all aspects of Health and Safety both inside and outside of unit.
  1. Report all accidents and incidents as per Health and Safety Regulations.
  1. Adhere to Health and Safety regulations with regards to fire drills (fire safety), to the use of equipment, manual handling etc.
  1. Maintain all equipment to adequate standards (see House Hold Duties)
  1. Familiarise self with risk assessment and implement management plans accordingly.

Contribute to risk assessment a proactive manner, by notifying and addressing potential risks appropriately.

  1. Conduct and participate in Fire Safety and Fire Drills and associated reporting/administration (i.e. daily record sheets).

House Hold Duties

  1. The Intern Care Assistant will be responsible to ensure that the highest standards of hygiene and cleanliness are maintained within the unit at all times.
  1. Each unit will have schedules and routines regarding cleaning duties and it is the Intern Care Assistant’s role to carry out these duties as directed by the Head of Unit. Daily house keeping duties include, cleaning, shopping, preparation of lunches.
  1. Comply with Health and Safety standards with regard to cleanliness of equipment, and facilities (bathrooms, fridge’s, etc.).
  1. Laundry duties

Personal Care

  1. The Intern Care Assistant will attend to all aspects of personal care (all aspects of personal hygiene, health and physical wellbeing) for clients while encouraging clients to become as independent as possible (where appropriate) in self-care skills i.e. dressing, washing etc. Intern Care Assistants will at all times adhere to the guidelines relating to personal and intimate care.
  1. The Intern Care Assistant will be responsible with other staff for ensuring that dietary and nutritional requirements of clients are met. They will also be involved in the preparation of meals and where required, will assist Service Users with meals.
  1. It is the responsibility of Intern Care Assistants to familiarise themselves with all client related programmes in operation in the house and to carry out these programmes as directed by the Head of Unit.
  1. Report and Monitor any deterioration or any emerging patterns etc.

Key working role (Individual plans)

  1. Take responsibility of implementation/ development and achievement of personal plans in accordance with the 25 quality outcome measures
  1. Contribute to the completion of Programme Plans for Service users, (based on the 25 personal outcome).
  1. To make use of supports in place to achieve personal outcomes
  1. To ensure that service users are taught about their rights and that they are treated fairly at all times.
  1. To promote best possible health, ensuring that all necessary preventative steps are taken to educate people served about positive approaches to healthy living.
  1. Take a proactive role in the Co-ordinating IP meetings in consultation with Head of Unit. This involves collation of associated documentation, setting up meetings and advocating for key clients at such meetings.
  1. Take responsibility for client’s day-to-day activities, including integration in the community, public transport, and outings, sporting activities, unit based or off site activities.
  1. Access information and conduct research into best practice, equipment, use of tools, or programmes or methods, in order to best meet clients needs.

Communication (Advocacy, liaising with families and multidisciplinary team).

  1. Written communication i.e. Communication Books, records relating to Goals in IP files etc.
  1. Contribute to effective communication within team, client group and unit as a whole
  1. Communicate with co-ordinator
  1. Develop communication system with clients e.g. Lamh, Pecs, eye pointing etc.
  1. Develop positive relationships with clients.
  1. Actively engage with clients, on topics and areas of interest.
  1. Engage positively with members of the community in order to promote service users, and the organisation in a positive light, in order to facilitate full integration.
  1. Communicate with and advocate on behalf of clients with multidisciplinary team.
  1. In conjunction with co-ordinator, communicate with Families/ Guardians.
  1. Develop good relations with families and residential staff to ensure consistency and progress in relation to goals and programmes etc.
  1. Communicate with families and or residential units using the written communication, as per practices in the unit.

Report writing

  1. Factual and informative report writing
  1. Observe confidentiality in all written and oral reports. All staff to be aware of obligation to confidentiality as per contracts of employment.
  1. Comply with all regulations, relating to report writing, e.g. Health and safety, accident incident, fire safety etc.
  1. Complete Behaviour charts as required.
  1. Furnish additional reports as required.
  1. Communicate with Residential Units/ families as per unit practice.
  1. Complete progress reports relating to IP Outcomes.

Financial responsibilities

  1. Observe accountable practices when dealing with Unit money as well as client’s money.
  1. Adhere to all procedures and processes for approval for and recording of expenditure

Team work

  1. Working in teams is an essential part of the way services are delivered to people with a learning disability in St. Michael's House. The Intern Care Assistant is expected to play a full part in the Unit team by contributing positively towards the effective working of the team and by ensuring cooperative and professional working relationships with their colleagues at all times.
  1. All staff to adhere to and work within Policies of the organisation, e.g. reporting absenteeism, applying for annual leave, Health and Safety etc. Inquiries regarding access to policies and or the implications and or interpretation of any policy will be directed to the head of Unit.
  1. Communicate professionally, positively and effectively within team, e.g. pass on messages, share knowledge, discuss concerns.
  1. Proactively contribute to team meetings and group discussions.
  1. Use initiative and work proactively in supporting the team and providing service that reflects best practice.

Safe Administration of Medication.

  1. Administer medication in conjunction with co-ordinator.
  1. Observe S.A.M principles at all times.

Other Duties

  1. Staff will undertake other duties as assigned to them by their Head of Unit.

Other Information

Intern Care Assistants will be required to take part in certain training programmes including but not limited to, Manual Handling, Back Care, SAM, and Challenging Behaviour.

All staff employed within the organisation are required to demonstrate flexibility with regards to their duties, which may change from time to time in line with the changing needs of clients and the organisation.

All staff employed within St Michael’s House are expected to carry out any other duties, which may reasonably be expected of them.