Senior Carer

To professionally lead the care team during any span of duty, ensuring that a safe, effective and efficient care service is maintained which meets the needs of residents and purchasers.  To provide care to residents in accordance with their assessed needs to an industry-leading standard.

Your Duties

•  Provide leadership and support for care staff and act as a champion for residents’ safety and dignity.

•  To maintain skills and knowledge and ensure that care is delivered according to latest guidelines and best practice evidence available.

•  Ensure the ongoing safety of residents, staff and visitors through systematic assessment, monitoring and reviewing processes.

•  Ensure that clear and accurate records and communication systems relating to clinical and care delivery are maintained and effectively used.

•  Act as a role model for good clinical and care governance practice.

•  Supervise care staff on a day to day basis and through formal supervision processes.

•  Liaise with GPs and other health professionals to ensure that residents receive the medical and clinical support they require.

•  Demand high-quality care delivery focused on residents individually assessed needs and choices.

•  Promote the professional image of the services through excellent communication, appropriate behaviour and professional appearance.

•  Support the Team Leaders and care staff in the completion of induction programs, training and competency assessment.

Main Tasks

Nursing care and well-being

-  To assist with the care of residents as directed by Lead/Registered Nurses and Senior Nursing Care Assistants.

-  To assist with personal care tasks such as e.g. hygiene, dressing/undressing, getting in and out of bed, toileting bathing and commode emptying.

-  To assist the resident with the application of creams in accordance with the GP`s instructions.

-  Give emotional support to residents and residents’ families and friends when necessary.

-  To support the nurses during medication rounds and other clinical procedures.

-  Supporting residents, promptly reporting signs of deteriorating health.

-  Demonstrating compassion, patience and care at all times.

-  The role includes settling new residents into the nursing care home, helping with general queries and making regular contact.

-  Assist the registered nurse to implement and monitor the keyworker system, also acting as a keyworker for named individual residents.

-  To escort residents as required, including hospital appointments and social activities.

-  Encouraging residents’ social and spiritual activities that suit their interests and hobbies.

Monitoring and record-keeping

-  Keeping care plans up to date and ensuring all records are kept in accordance with High Meadow’s Data Protection Policy.

-  Reporting any changes in residents’ conditions or general welfare.

-  Ensuring information is received, read and acted on regarding events of the previous shift - ensure consistency of care provision and follow-up.

-  Identify and assess any call responses which may require a follow-up visit.

Assisting with food and nutrition

-  To ensure residents’ meals are nutritious and served correctly and with care, maintaining a high standard of meal service and food presentation.

-  To help residents in selecting and ordering meals and to assist to the restaurant.

-  To assist residents who require help in eating and/or drinking.

-  To serve drinks when required.

Domestic care home assistance

-  Change bed linen and make beds.

-  Prepare laundry for collection and placing articles in the bags.

-  Ensure that clinical waste is discarded correctly.

-  Ensure high standards of tidiness, hygiene and cleanliness in residents' rooms, bathrooms, toilets and kitchens and in all other parts of the premises.

-  To be responsible for the general care of wheelchairs/scooters and reporting irregularities.

-  Ordering, receiving & storing equipment and other goods.

General

- Attend staff meetings, supervision & appraisal meetings.

- To follow agreed procedures in respect of residents' property and finances.

- To keep updated with Fire Regulations and procedures on Health & Safety at work; to keep updated with manual handling procedures and to be aware of individual residents' manual handling profiles.

- To be conversant with and responsible for own individual learning needs.

- It is essential that all staff observe the code of confidentiality. 

This job description outlines the main duties and responsibilities of the post; it is not intended to be an exhaustive list. From time to time the post holder may be asked to carry out additional reasonable tasks as appropriate to the needs of the business.  As such this role definition will be subject to revision as required.

Skills & Experience

-  Previous experience preferable.

- Good communication skills both written and verbal.

- Able to carry out instructions accurately.

- Flexible and reliable attitude to working arrangements.

- Committed to customer care and first-class service provision.

- Ability to work alone as well as part of a team.

- Adaptable, friendly, polite, courteous and caring.

Qualifications

- Basic education, including English and Maths

- Care qualification (NVQ 3 or equivalent)