Team leader

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Team Leader

Responsible to: Unit Manager/Home Manager

Main Job Objectives:

• To lead a team of care staff in the delivery of care to residents in a designated unit/area.
• To take responsibility for the home, and be accountable for decision making in the absence of the Manager or Unit Manager, including managing the home in the absence of senior managers during CQC inspections.
• To be responsible for the management and administration of medication.
• To work effectively with others within the home to ensure residents’’ needs are safely met.
• To champion  person-centred approaches to the care of residents

Main Duties

1               Ensuring The Service is Safe

1.1           Administer prescribed medication to residents and manage an effective system for the safe control and administration of medication in accordance with policy and procedure.

1.2           Comply with legislation and good practice in relation to administration of controlled drugs.

1.3           Ensure knowledge and competency in the safe administration of medication is maintained by attending all medication training provided, and your annual competency assessments are kept up to date.

1.4           Ensure infection control procedures are followed by staff so as to prevent the spread of infection.

1.5           Manage all emergencies and untoward events as they occur when you are the nominated person ‘in charge.’

1.6           Assist in identifying and the management of risk in the home, so that the safety and wellbeing of residents, visitors and staff is maintained.

1.7           Follow the instructions of the Home Manager/Unit Manager in relation to the care of residents identified as vulnerable, and report any concerns to the Home Manager/Unit Manager in a timely manner.

1.8           Be aware of own limitations or competence when managing staff, and know when to seek appropriate advice.

2               Ensuring The Service is Caring

2.1           Actively lead and supervise the delivery of person-centred care to the residents to ensure that their physical, social, intellectual and emotional needs are individually met and ensuring dignity, choice, independence are respected.

2.2           Take responsibility for care of residents in an area of the home, and supervise staff on duty in your allocated area of the home.

2.3           Follow the instructions of the home/unit manager in relation to the care of residents identified as vulnerable, and report any concerns to the home manager.

2.4           Welcome and encourage the participation of residents in activities so that they can participate and remain emotionally and intellectually stimulated.

2.5           Assist as required with social functions that take place in the home.

2.6           Support and work closely with families and friends offering them professional and emotional support, sensitive to individual need.

2.7           Support residents and their relatives/advocates to express their views and be actively involved in making decisions about their care, treatment and support through their plan of care.

2.8           Ensure communication passports, PECs (picture exchange communication systems), objects of reference, talking mats, pictures, electronic communicators are used to support expression of views and enhance communication with residents living with dementia.

2.9           Ensure residents are supported at the end of their life to have a comfortable, dignified and pain free death. Ensuring that all conversations with resident and families are documented and recorded in the care plan about future wishes. Maintain supporting documentation such as DNACPR, Advanced Care plans. 

3               Ensuring the Service is Effective

3.1           Assume responsibility for the planning, implementation, evaluation and update of all residents care plans in line with their personal wishes and preferences involving resident, representatives, key workers and management as appropriate.

3.2           Lead on handover and pass on all necessary and appropriate information to ensure continuity of care and that all planned care is safely delivered.

3.3           Work closely with a range of multi-disciplinary professionals regarding resident care (e.g. physiotherapists, dieticians, social workers, hospital discharge planning teams) upholding the professional image of the company.

3.4           Maintain written communication methods in the home, for example communication and allocation books, carrying out tasks identified and forward planning for the next shift.

3.5           Ensure all care records are accurately completed, signed and stored correctly in line with Springdene policy.

3.6           Assume responsibility for ensuring that staff are completing supplementary documentation regarding resident care such as repositioning charts, food diaries, fluid charts, etc.

3.7           Monitor residents’ weight, nutrition and fluid intake, and refer any concerns to appropriate health professional.

3.8           Provide information to the home manager, unit manager or clinical lead on care planning updates and/or changes.

3.9           Ensure that staff is appropriately allocated to accompany residents to medical appointments and ensure good communication with the home regarding medical treatment.

3.10        Following resident medical appointments ensure that all paperwork is completed, and that all changes or updates to medical treatment plans are communicated and implemented.

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

3.12        Ensure that all company policies and procedures are implemented and followed by junior staff.

3.13        Ensure that staff you are supervising are clear how operational policies and procedures apply to their roles.

4               Ensuring the Service is Responsive

4.1           Assist the home manager, unit manager or clinical lead in the reassessment of residents whilst in hospital to determine any changes to their care needs.

4.2           Welcome new residents to the home, ensure they are comfortable and carry out care assessments and mental capacity assessments as needed within 4 hours of admission.

4.3           Responsible for ensuring that resident’s care plans are immediately updated to their changing need and reflects the care and support that they require. That these changes are effectively communicated to all staff involved in their care.

4.4           Assume responsibility with the team for continual monitoring of each resident’s health needs by ensuring access to NHS healthcare services and monitoring of health related care documentation assessments. This includes appropriate liaison with residents, relatives, unit manager and relevant staff.

4.5           Arrange specialist care and support assessments where needed with the support of the unit manager or clinical lead.

4.6           Responsible for ensuring that inventories of residents’ personal belongings are correct and up to date.

4.7           Ensure there is a detailed personal history, individual preferences and interests and aspirations relating to activities are recorded in each resident’s care plan on admission.

4.8           Supervise and maintain new care programmes such as Namaste.  Ensure all documentation is completed appropriately in care plans, assist in the evaluation of new programmes.

4.9           Review the individual activity needs and provision and seek feedback from residents or relatives or others acting on their behalf

4.10        Ensure that concerns and complaints procedures are followed and that these are referred directly to the home manager so that the correct process can be followed.

5               Helping Ensure the Service is Well-Led

5.1           Lead in the supervision and management of the standards of care provided by care staff and ensure that all the residents receive person-centred care, and that care staff show concern for residents’ well-being in a meaningful way.

5.2           Help maintain employee engagement in the home through effective leadership, communication, mentoring and support of all employees.

5.3           Promote good communication with all teams in the home (e.g. Activities, Kitchen, Housekeeping) working as a team with a resident-focused approach.  Ensure there is a culture of positive and constructive feedback and communication at all times.

5.4           In the absence of the home manager or the Unit Manager/Deputy Manager, hold daily Take 10 meetings and other communication meetings in their absence.

5.5           Lead handover and pass on necessary and appropriate information to ensure continuity of care and that all planned care is safely delivered.

5.6           Maintain written communication methods in the home, for example communication and allocation books, carrying out tasks identified and forward planning for the next shift.

5.7           Complete bi-monthly formal supervision meetings and annual appraisals with care staff, as allocated by the Home Manager/Unit Manager, giving constructive feedback (positive/negative) and reflecting on standards of care.

5.8           Check that all staff on the rota have arrived and arrange cover if required, prioritising overtime for current employees over agency usage.

5.9           Record staff absence and attendance as required.

5.10        Book agency staff with authorisation from the Home Manager/Unit Manger (if there is no alternative), and ensure agency staff are closely monitored and supported, with induction processes carried out.

5.11        Ensure all staff take their allocated breaks, and that these are planned so as not which do not to interfere with the provision of person centred care.

5.12        Provide support and mentorship to new or inexperienced staff by supporting the induction process, and providing feedback to the home manager about their competence.

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

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

5.15        Be aware of own limitations or competence when managing staff, and know when to seek appropriate advice by a more senior staff member.  

5.16        Escalate any concerns to the relevant manager in the home in a timely manner. 

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 – Team Leader

The person specification sets out the minimum requirements to do the job.  It is used in recruitment to test during the interview process, to ensure that candidates have all the skills listed on the person specification prior to appointment, and also to identify areas for development during induction and employment.

Qualifications and Training

• NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care
• NVQ Level 2 in Team Leading or other management /supervision training
• Mandatory training up to date e.g. Fire, Health and Safety, Manual Handling, Medication

Previous Work Experience

• Experience working in a supervisory role in a large residential home (at least 1 year essential)
• Experience of providing personal care to elderly residents in a care home
• Experience managing and supervising staff, including allocating work, giving feedback, and carrying out appraisals, supervision, induction and on-the-job training.

Knowledge and Understanding

• Excellent knowledge and understanding of good practice in providing timely, compassionate, person-centred care.
• Good understanding of CQC requirements in relation to residential care.
• Good understanding of Health and Safety, Safeguarding, Confidentiality and Data Protection and ability to apply this to ensure safety and security of residents and staff in the home.

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to work and make decisions under pressure including changing priorities and circumstances.
• Excellent verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate with a wide range of healthcare professionals, and to build good relationships with residents and their families.
• Ability to lead a team, motivate others, build good relationships, and listen to and support colleagues.
• Open communication style, with ability to give and receive feedback, and share learning.
• Ability to audit quality of care plans.
• High level of numerical accuracy, with ability to accurately manage medication administration, audit and ordering.
• Good planning and organisational skills, with ability to plan ahead, allocate tasks and ensure sufficient staffing levels.
• Ability to take charge of the Home in the absence of a more senior manager.

Competencies for Team Leader

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.

Additional Competencies for Team Leader Roles

• Working with people

Demonstrates an interest in and understanding of others; Adapts to the team and builds team spirit; Recognises and rewards the contribution of others; Listens, consults others and communicates proactively; Supports and cares for others; Develops and openly communicates self-insight.

• Problem solving and communication

Able to recognise and identify problems and assesses severity; makes timely, objective, justifiable decisions; refers when appropriate; engenders confidence; and, most importantly, communicates appropriately to all relevant stakeholders.

• Building strong relationships both internally and externally

Recognises the importance of building strong relationships both within the company and externally.  He/she has strong relationships with residents/patients, relatives and other health care professionals.

• Planning and organising

Good organisation and time management skills.  An ability to prioritise and a willingness to delegate.  An ability to adapt to possible changing circumstances.  Identifies and organises resources ahead of time, as needed, to accomplish tasks in partnership with fellow colleagues.

• Coping with pressure & setbacks

Works productively in a pressurised environment; keeps emotions under control during difficult situations; balances the demands of a work life and a personal life; maintains a positive outlook at work; listens to criticism in a positive manner.

• Continuous improvement

A commitment to ensuring quality services are delivered to both internal and external clients; an ability to think creatively towards achieving objectives; demonstrates a keen commitment to the wellbeing of the organisation.

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.