HEALTH CARE ASSISTANTJOB DESCRIPTION

REPORTING TO:

Home Manager/ Deputy Home Manager / Care Co-ordinator

JOB PURPOSE:

  • To assist in the provision of care/care resourcesto the elderly and disabled..
  • To ensure Clients retain their dignity and individuality.
  • To contribute positively to enhancing the social and health care standards required within the care setting.

SCOPE:

The Health Care Assistant provides and coordinates individualized care and resources to elders, disabled and others so that they may continue to live in their homes and in the community. Duties may include transportation, house cleaning, personal hygiene, providing meals, and other health and wellness related activities.

Health Care Assistants will ensure that all care services are provided in a caring and respectful way in keeping with all relevant policies and procedures while promoting high care standards and person centered approaches. Health Care Assistants will liaise with other community services and resources eg G.P, Pharmacist, District Nurses e.t.c to ensure that there is flow of information within the care management team, if required.

Failure to provide adequate services may put elders and others at risk and/or force elders to movefrom their homes before they are prepared to do so

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Ensure the highest possible levels of care are maintained by supporting/assisting Clients, when required, with washing, toileting, dressing, undressing, and all other aspects of daily living.
  • Assist Clients in all aspects of their care needs (e.g. physical, emotional and spiritual). Provide attention when needed, whilst ensuring Clients retain their comfort and dignity.
  • Pay particular attention to assisting Clients who have limited mobility, or physical / learning difficulties, making the best use of aids provided.
  • Closely monitor Clients who may be confused and / or who have behavioral problems.
  • Assist in the promotion of continence.
  • Assist in the delivery of care for Clients who are dying or who have a progressive illness.
  • Observe care planning needs for Clients and complete written daily records as instructed and in line with the Company’s policies and procedures.
  • Assist in framework of social activities by interacting with Clients and helping them continue with hobbies and activities in the Care Centre.
  • Answer Nurse call system, giving assistance as required. Answer the door and telephoneappropriately.
  • Respond accordingly, and pass on messages promptly.
  • Under the supervision and guidance of Senior Care Staff, report on the well-being of clients.
  • Carry out regular checks on Clients at intervals determined by Senior Staff Members.
  • Make Visitors feel welcome. Provide refreshments/assistance as and when required.
  • Make and change beds, ensuring that rooms are clean and tidy, and commodes are empty, in line with the Care Centre’s disposal of waste policy. Ensure the Care Centre’s resources are used appropriately.
  • Clean and maintain equipment used by Clients / Relatives e.g. wheelchairs, hearing aids,spectacles etc.
  • If applicable, care for Clients’ clothing and rooms as named, and ensure that all clothing is recorded and clearly marked.
  • Ensure full privacy and dignity is maintained for the dying and the bereaved, in line with the Company’s policies and procedures.
  • Assist Clients who need help during meal times (be aware of swallowing difficulties, dietary requirements etc). Assist with serving of food / drinks as requested / required. Wash up as requested / required.
  • Escort Clients traveling to and from the Care Centre e.g. on social outings, hospital visits etc.
  • Practice maximum integrity in all dealings with Client’s personal and financial affairs, and avoid abuse of the privileged relationship that exists with Clients.

KNOWLEDGE

  • Client assessment
  • Proper home care techniques including house cleaning, feeding and personal hygiene
  • Appropriate Home Care interventions
  • Services and resources in the community
  • Staff and program managementand evaluation
  • The culture and traditions of various people
  • All relevant legislation, policies and procedures
  • First aid, CPR, Manual Handling, Safeguarding, Medication and other relevant social and health care knowledge

SKILLS

  • Team building skills
  • Supervisory skills
  • Analytical and problem solving skills
  • Decision making skills
  • Effective verbal and listening
  • Communications skills
  • Stress management skills
  • Time management skills
  • Financial management skills
  • Human resources management skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Strong interpersonal skills
  • Conflict resolution skills
  • Well developed organizational skills
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Demonstrate good decision making in dealing with safety and other medical issues

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

Health Care Assistants must maintain strict confidentiality in performing their duties at all times. The incumbent must also demonstrate the following personal attributes:

  • Possess cultural awareness and sensitivity
  • Demonstrate sound work ethics
  • Be consistent and fair
  • Be compassionate and understanding
  • Be flexible, adaptable and able to work effectively in a variety of settings
  • Respect cultural differences
  • Work independently with little supervisor
  • Work effectively as a member of a team

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT:

  • Maintain professional knowledge and competence.
  • Attend mandatory training days/courses, on or off site, as and when required.

HEALTH AND SAFETY AWARENESS:

  • Report immediately to the Home Manager, or Person in Charge, any illness of an infectious nature or accident incurred by a Client, colleague, self or another.
  • Understand, and ensure the implementation of, the Care Centre’s Health and Safety policy, and Emergency and Fire procedures.
  • Report to the Home Manager, or the Handyperson, any faulty appliances, damaged furniture, equipment or any potential hazard.Promote safe working practice within the Care Centre.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The Home Care Worker is required to safely lift and move clients, and may be required to batheand /or clean clients. The Worker may be required to administer interventions and treatments that cause discomfort to the client or themselves. The worker will often work in a private or residential home and must practice clean, safe care to eliminate the possibility of infection or cross contaminationbetween clients, family members and/or themselves

SENSORY DEMANDS:

The Health Care Assistant will be exposed to sights and sounds associated with clients who are ill and injured. They may also find a variety of conditions and circumstances as they visit clients in their homes. The incumbent will be exposed to unpleasant odors in providing health care. The incumbent must make acute use of the senses in assessing health care needs such as hearing(listening for heart, lung and abdominal sounds), visual to look for symptoms of illness, touch in palpitation of clients and manual dexterity and smell to detect unusual odors from wounds and physical surrounding.

MENTAL DEMANDS:

The Health Care Assistant is faced with stress from dealing with clients and family members who may be stressed and difficult to work with. Stress is caused by the fact that the Worker must work independently in unfamiliar and uncontrolled situations. There is significant emotional stress in providing care for clients who are dying and providing support for their families. Stress is also caused by the need to manage and evaluate staff and program issues.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

The Health Care Assistant spends most time in residential, nursing and private homes.

Worker may be dealing with patients with potentially infectious conditions. They must beextremely careful to ensure that all medications, treatments and activities are completed safely soas to ensure the safety of all clients, families, the community and themselves. The incumbent may be required to drive in winter conditions and make visits during periods of coldtemperatures

This Job Description indicates only the main duties and responsibilities of the post. It is not intended as an exhaustive list.

Medilink Consulting Ltd reserves the right to amend this Job Description from time to time, according to business needs. Any changes will be confirmed in writing.

Please sign, print your name, and date below to indicate your acceptance of this Job Description.

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