Apprentice care assistant

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Apprentice Care Assistant

Responsible to: Home Manager/Unit Manager

Main Job Objective:

To deliver timely and compassionate person centred care to residents.  To observe, monitor and record progress of residents in accordance with care plans.   To promote residents’ independence, choice and dignity, ensuring that their care needs are safely met.

To develop your care practice and obtain the appropriate Health and Social Care apprenticeship NVQ qualifications.

Main Duties

1        Ensuring the Service is Caring

1.1        To ensure that you always treat residents with respect and compassion at all times.

1.2        To welcome new residents to the home, ensure they are comfortable and support the allocated person in the care assessment process.

1.3        To participate in the management of continence care and to ensure that the correct practices for the disposal of continence materials are observed.  Also the emptying and cleaning of commodes etc

1.4        To assist residents with the care of their aids, clothing property, rooms and effects. Ensure inventories of residents’ personal belongings are correct and up to date.

1.5        To record in the care plan, accurate, relevant information in a timely manner that shows the support the resident has received. This includes fluid charts, repositioning charts, food diaries, etc.

1.6        To observe and to report to the appropriate managers, information concerning the mental and physical welfare of residents.  To receive and read reports of the same nature.

1.7        Accompany residents under supervision to medical appointments and ensure good communication with the home regarding medical treatment.

1.8        In the event of the death of a resident, carry out last offices with compassion and dignity whilst providing any appropriate support to relatives.

2        Ensuring the Service is Safe

2.1        To answer call bells promptly, ensuring that residents who are in their rooms are regularly visited to their safety and proper welfare at periods specified by residents and managers.

2.2        To be aware of the physical needs of residents and to assist or attend, as appropriate to their personal needs.  This may include maintaining personal hygiene - through bathing, washing, toileting etc.  To report to managers any cause of concern that may need particular attention, e.g. dental, chiropody, hairdressing etc.

2.3        To be involved with observing, monitoring, and recording progress of residents in accordance with care plans.

2.4        Follow the instructions of the home manager and/or the person-in-charge in relation to the care of residents identified as vulnerable, and report any concerns to the home manager or their deputy.

2.5        Take responsibility for questioning poor practice in the home, and take appropriate action if concerns relating to poor practice are reported to you.

2.6        Keep up to date with CQC requirements and inspection practices.

2.7        Keep up to date with changes to operational policies and procedures and be aware of how this affects your role.

2.8        Work in accordance with all company policies and procedures

3        Ensuring the Service is Responsive

3.1        To help create an attractive and personal environment, where residents feel safe and have a sense of ownership. To consult with residents wherever possible in matters affecting their lives. To provide emotional support and friendship to residents when required.

3.2        To assess, encourage and support residents to maintain their independence in personal daily living activities for which they are individually capable.

3.3        To facilitate residents to openly express their views, opinions, and grievances and to respond appropriately to them.

3.4        To assist and enable residents to prepare snacks and refreshments as required. 

3.5        To prepare and serve food and drink for those residents who are unable to do so, including feeding them when necessary.

3.6        To encourage and enable residents to actively remain part of the community by fostering links with relatives, friends and local people, according to residents' wishes.  To be involved in social activities e.g. outings, excursions, shopping etc.

4        Helping Ensure the Service is Well Led

4.1        Support managers and colleagues working as a team to deliver timely and compassionate care for residents.

4.2        Contribute to good communication and team work in the home, liaising with colleagues, sharing learning and information relating to quality care for residents.

4.3        Support the induction of new staff to the home.

4.4        Work effectively with all teams in the home (e.g. Activities, Kitchen, Housekeeping) working as a team with a resident-focused approach, assisting colleagues as requested.

4.5        Pass on necessary and appropriate information to colleagues to ensure continuity of care and that all planned care is safely delivered.

4.6        Promote good communication with residents’ relatives and friends as required.

4.7        To attend staff meetings, training, supervision and appraisals, to ensure continuous development of care practice.

4.8        To study and complete Apprentice Qualifications, attending practical skills and study sessions as necessary.

4.9        To reflect on your own performance, accept feedback and learn from experienced members of staff.

4.10     To keep the Training Manager and Home Manager up to date with your learning and development progress.

General Corporate Responsibilities (For all staff)

  • Contribute to Springdene’s Purpose and Vision, representing the company in a professional manner at all times.
  • Demonstrate Springdene Core Competencies across your role:
    • Focus on residents
    • Reliability
    • Relationships
    • Co-operation and team work
    • Standards of excellence
    • Knowledge sharing
  • All staff have a duty and obligation to raise concerns regarding possible ill-treatment of a resident.
  • Maintain knowledge of the organisation’s responsibilities under the CQC regulations, including residents’ rights and accreditation requirements.
  • Work in compliance with Springdene Policies & Procedures, including Safeguarding, Health and Safety, Confidentiality and Data Protection.
  • Maintain own knowledge on current developments and trends in residential care for the elderly.

You must be prepared, on occasions, to undertake additional tasks, unspecified in this job description, at the Manager's request. You must also be prepared if requested (on rare occasions) to work within another unit in the group.

You are expected to attend any meetings as requested by the manager and are required to familiarise yourself with the operations policy, particularly equal opportunities and disciplinary issues.

Person Specification Apprentice Care Assistant

Experience may have been gained in other sectors, voluntary, college or personal capacity, rather than through past employment.

Skills and Abilities

  • Ability to work under pressure including dealing with multiple demands.
  • Good verbal communication skills, with the ability to demonstrate kindness and compassion to residents and families.
  • Ability to work as part of a team, building good relationships, listening to and supporting colleagues.
  • Ability to read and write clearly in English.
  • Basic numeracy and digital skills, with ability to accurately record details in care plans and charts.
  • Hardworking and conscientious, with ability to organise time to complete allocated tasks.
  • Able to demonstrate a person-centred approach to care.
  • Understanding and empathy of the issues facing elderly people who have to move to residential care.
  • Understanding of care work, and willingness to undertake personal care including washing, dressing, toileting, feeding, mobilising clients, and providing emotional support.
  • Able to give examples of caring for or looking after another person in a way that takes into account their needs.
  • Able to demonstrate a kind and compassionate approach.
  • Understanding of how to treat residents with dignity and respect.
  • Able to remain positive in the face of challenges or stressful situations.
  • Commitment to equality and diversity.
  • Commitment to learning and improving practice.

Springdene Core Competencies

  • Focus on Residents.

An appreciation and respect for the welfare and needs of residents and their representatives; maintains a service-oriented outlook.

  • Reliability.

Completes a given task to a professional and competent standard.  Self-motivated, and able to work independently and under minimal supervision.

  • Relationships.

Interacts well with work colleagues, residents, relatives and visiting professionals; builds friendly and professional working relationships.

  • Co-operation and team work.

An ability to form effective working relationships with senior colleagues; accepts direction when required.  Co-operates with colleagues as part of a wider team, including supporting colleagues in other departments as needed.  Adapts to the team ethos and builds team spirit; listens, consults with others, and communicates proactively; supports and cares for others; a good team player.

  • Standards of excellence.

Maintains a professional manner and a standard of excellence in all work performed. A commitment to quality outcomes in all tasks undertaken.

  • Knowledge sharing.

Actively shares knowledge and information with other team members as appropriate.  Conveys information in a clear, open and transparent manner. A respect for confidentiality where required.

Springdene Values

  • Empathy
  • Respect
  • Compassion
  • Treating people with dignity
  • Integrity
  • Common sense
  • Friendliness
  • Communication

All duties must be carried out in compliance with Springdene’s Policies & Procedures and in keeping with the organisation’s vision and values.  This job description lists the position’s principal accountabilities only and does not describe in detail all the duties and tasks required of the post.