Senior care assistant

About the Role

Are you an experienced care assistant ready to take on more responsibility while enjoying the flexibility to work both day and night shifts?

We're seeking a Bank Senior Care Assistant to join our team, providing high-quality care and supporting colleagues across all shifts. This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious carer looking to step into a senior role with guidance and training to help you succeed.

· Day Shift Senior Care Assistant Duties

· Provide personal care and support to elderly individuals in a compassionate and respectful manner.

· Assist with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, grooming, and toileting.

· Administer medications and monitor health conditions as directed by healthcare professionals.

· Assist with meal feeding.

· Document and report any changes in clients' physical or mental health to the appropriate personnel.

· Ensure Daily reports are completed, these include evidencing information regarding s health, mood, appetite and activity.

· Maintain confidentiality for the home, residents and the care staff.

· Arrange staff breaks to suit the homes needs ensuring the home has at least one carer on call to answer the residents call bell or the door.

· To hold the Team Leader keys, ensuring the medical cabinet keys are safe and controlled drugs are secure at all times, when shift leading.

· To answer the phone in a professional manner and respond or act as needed, relaying any messages as necessary.

· To dispense medication as prescribed according to the medication training, checking for any errors. Ensure carers have signed for creams and lotions they have applied, when shift leading.

· Receive medication when delivered, place medication and M A R sheet in residents' rooms once signed for, when shift leading.

· To welcome visitors including relatives, friends and visiting professionals ensuring that the visitor's book is completed, hands have been washed, and refreshments offered as well as maintaining security, privacy and respect in the home.

· To note, report and act appropriately on the observation of any changes in any resident's health, medication or demeanour (i.e. bruises, swellings, diarrhoea, lack of appetite, confusion, agitation)

· Liaise with the Management Team as appropriate, including any building or equipment defects. Or log in the maintenance book if applicable. A really important part of the role is being an effective middle person between the management team and the care team. Any decisions that can be made to promote a harmonious environment that can be taken are to be done and only referring to the management when necessary for clarification / support or events out of own competence. (To obtain support, if needed, in any aspect of the role where there is any doubt.)

· To promote continence care. Preventing discomfort, sores and ulcer where possible. Also ensuring correct use of incontinence aids.

· You may be allocated supervisions for your allocated care assistants giving (positive) support as per Care Quality Commission (CQC) recommendation.

· To note any complaints or suggestions from residents, staff or visitors following policies or procedure. Staff complaints to be dealt with using the policies / procedures and individual contracts as most 'niggles' will be covered by these – de-escalate situations and refer to management if no resolution can be found.

· To be proactive in guiding staff in best practice and never ignoring poor practice or poor care without putting remedial action in place.

· To participate in the care and support programme for the care of the dying, extending to relatives, friends and other visitors.

· Be familiar at all times with fire regulations. Be ready to act as the lead person if the fire drill goes off whether a real or drill situation.

· Be familiar at all times with Health & Safety regulations and safeguarding guidelines – ensure anything dangerous is made safe immediately and reported if further action is required. Refer to management if in any doubt of safety of residents, staff or building after you have done all that you can.

· Ensure all mealtimes run smoothly, including silence for giving thanks, seating for residents are safe and accessible. Meals should be delivered at the right temperature and the right time. Staffing levels must be adequate, and residents supported with eating their meals if required. Organise breaks so that no staff take a break between 13:00 and 14:00 as far as is possible.

· Ensure all residents receive adequate beverages throughout the shift (fluid intake).

· Ensure appropriate daily activity, sensory stimulation, sense of wellbeing is promoted for all residents.

· To ensure any extra team cover such as cleaning or laundry are carried out – assess whether cover is needed if staff phone in absence at late notice and help out with the care or other duties if short staffed.

· Complete staff supervisions with allocated care assistant, positively promoting excellent care and their personal development.

· Report staff sickness, arrange cover where needed and complete the appropriate form.

· Inform housekeeping staff of any necessary areas that require attention.

· Inform maintenance team of any necessary areas that require attention.

· Any other ad hoc activities.

Night Shift Senior Care Assistant Duties

· Provide personal care and support to elderly individuals in a compassionate and respectful manner.

· Assist with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, grooming, and toileting.

· Complete clerical tasks assigned to you by the team leader/ Home Manager.

· Receive handover and read communication book and any memos remembering to initial that you have done so.

· Ensure the Home is properly secured for the night when the last day staff leave and check the residents at start of your shift. (Gates / doors / windows should all be secured especially ground floor).

· Check residents 2 hourly as per Beth Ezra policy and in accordance with the resident's designated choice as outlined in their person-centred care plan – or more often if you have concerns.

· All fire doors to be closed at 10pm throughout the home.

· Ensure all residents have a peaceful and comfortable night's sleep as far as is possible. Keep all noise to a minimum and stagger breaks so that residents call bells are answered promptly.

· Ensure kitchen duties are completed, do not sign them off until they have been done, as well as the dining area and the lounge cleaning.

· Ensure laundry duties are completed when required (weekends and if laundry person is off). One hour's ironing should be carried out by night staff when no laundry person has been present for the day shift.

· Dispense medication for residents as per Medication Administration Record Sheet (MAR) when shift leading.

· Complete all daily reports for residents and signs for any creams and lotions applied that are assigned to you.

· All bins to be emptied except the kitchen ones that are emptied, as per the shift planner. Check outside bin has been emptied properly each Wednesday morning as per the shift planner.

· Nominated Team Leader to check first aid kits are stocked adequately and request any items required as necessary.

· Check the medication refrigerator temperature each night, also ensure the fridge is cleaned and defrosted monthly, and that this is documented in the fridge logbook.

Skills and Qualities

· Have a passion for working in a care environment.

· Essentially be an experienced care assistant/ senior care assistant, who has proven leadership, training, proven skills and ability to manage carers/shift lead, in the absence of a team leader on site.

· Have excellent communication skills and techniques in various circumstances (verbal and written).

· Experience administering medication or the willingness to be trained.

· Be able to organise, delegate, influence and motivate people.

· Be conscientious and meticulous to detail.

· Have a sense of fairness, diplomacy, equality and honesty.

· Be reliable, dependable and punctual.

· Have the ability to remain calm, decisive and professional in difficult circumstances.

· Promote a positive approach to change and versatility.

· Be able to work well within a team but also on own initiative.

· Be able to de-escalate conflict situations with both residents and staff.

· Any other ad hoc activities.

Role Requirements and Qualifications

· Must liaise with the team leader highlighting concerns, in a constructive/clear manner where issues arise.

· Must have a good understanding of the English language- both written and verbal (preferably GCSE grade C)

· Must have good working knowledge of maths (preferably GCSE grade C)

· Must have or be working towards Diploma Level 3 in Health and Social Care

· Should have a clear DBS

· Must have a right to work in the United Kingdom.

· Be willing to work to a very high standard of practice.

Please note that this job description is not exhaustive and may be subject to change based on the needs of the organization.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent, Zero hours contract

Pay: £12.40-£12.54 per hour

Benefits:

* Additional leave
* Company pension
* Discounted or free food
* Flexitime
* Free parking
* On-site parking
* Referral programme
* Sick pay
* Store discount

Experience:

* providing care: 3 years (preferred)
* supervisory: 1 year (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

* NVQ Level 3 Health & Social Care (required)

Work Location: In person