Wexford House Assisted Living Accommodation

WEXFORD HOUSE ASSISTED LIVING ACCOMMODATION

ASSISTANT WARDEN

Job Description & Person Specification

Appointment: Assistant Warden

Responsible to: Wexford House Warden

Hours of Work: Casual Cover

Location: Wexford House, Melton Mowbray

Directly Responsible For: External and self-employed contractors e.g. gardener and cleaner when on duty.

Main Purpose of the Job

The Assistant Warden covers two days a week and during duty hours is responsible for helping residents to achieve an independent and positive life at Wexford House. He/she also provides 7.2 weeks holiday cover when the Warden is on leave. When on duty the Assistant Warden is responsible for the delivery of two meals a day for those living at Wexford House.

A Disclosure & Barring Service check is required for this post.

Role definition

Primary Responsibilities

Residents

In assisting the Warden:

·  Provide practical support for residents without undermining their independence.

·  Provide and serve lunch and an afternoon/evening meal for the residents.

·  Occasionally purchase some minor provisions for the meals.

·  Monitor residents within the scheme.

·  Report any concerns about individuals maintaining residency conditions to the Warden or when he/she is on leave to the Welfare Manager.

·  Provide help to residents in case of emergencies, such as to call the emergency services or a doctor and to keep Next of Kin informed, where appropriate when the Warden is on leave.

·  In an emergency to remain with the resident until help arrives.

·  Keep a daily register and adequate records of day-to-day events and occurrences in line with the RAF Association policy.

·  In exceptional circumstances to carry out errands for residents

·  Explain or give assistance at regular intervals to residents in the use of the alarm system, fire procedures and any relevant communal facilities, e.g. laundry

·  Responsible for complying with the Association’s Health & Safety procedure within the scheme. This will include particular attention to:

·  Policy on fire precautions and action in the event of fire

·  Maintaining a safe environment for all individuals in the scheme but with particular attention to those with disabilities, such as limited mobility, hearing or eyesight.

Building

·  Liaise with the Warden over building maintenance and arrange access to contractors as required, calling in immediate assistance for breakdowns of key services such as lifts and heating.

·  When on duty supervise the cleaning of communal areas and the maintenance of the garden

·  Dispose of refuse appropriately.

·  Report any defects to the furniture and fittings to the Warden.

·  Prepare and booking of the guest room and collecting the appropriate charge.

·  Ensure the general security of the building including testing the alarm and communication system.

General

·  To act at all times in accordance with the Association’s published policies and procedures as directed by the Warden.

·  Maintain compliance with the Association’s Health & Safety, Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policies

·  Develop the necessary skills in using the Association’s computer system to a basic level in the performance of your duties

·  Attend regular team meetings, briefing sessions for staff

·  Attend training and supervision when requested

·  Attend regular one-to-ones and annual appraisal meetings with your Manager

·  Promote the Association in a positive and professional manner

·  Assist with administrative work in relation to the above duties, including filing and correspondence

·  Provide cover for other members of staff in emergencies

Knowledge and Experience

·  Hold a certificate in Food Hygiene

·  Experience in catering for groups of up to 9 people

·  Demonstrate a good understanding of the needs of older people.

·  Required to work within RAF Association policies and procedures.

·  Required to attend all mandatory training identified by the Welfare Manager or RAF Association.

·  Expected to demonstrate a commitment to their own development, to take advantage of education and training opportunities and develop their own competence.

Communication and Relationships

·  Required to co-operate with the Warden for line management issues.

·  Able to communicate effectively with a broad range of elderly people in a clear, coherent and non-patronising way

·  Able to quickly build relationships with residents and to deal sensitively with them understanding the frustrations which can be brought on with old age.

·  Assist with providing a homely atmosphere at Wexford House for the residents.

·  Communicate with local contractors as required.

·  Understand the working of the ‘Life Line’ system and communicate this clearly to all residents and their families.

·  Support the residents in managing differing views but never seeming to take sides.

People Management

·  When the Warden is away supervise the Gardener and the Cleaner in their duties

·  When the Warden is away oversee contractors on site and report back to the Warden or welfare manager when necessary.

Decision-making and Problem-solving

·  Use initiative and creative approach to problem solving when dealing with residents within the parameters of RAF Association policy.

·  Use judgement to make decisions about low level activity on a day to day basis.

·  Work satisfactorily on own initiative without direct supervision.

Information

·  Update resident files and records as appropriate

·  Required to respect confidentiality applying to all RAF Association areas.

·  Assist the Warden to maintain a tidy notice board at Wexford House and to provide the residents with communal information.

Working Conditions

·  Required to work flexibly (including evenings and weekends on occasion) to best meet the needs of the residents

·  Required to work longer working days on occasions for which no overtime is payable

·  Based at Wexford House

Physical/Mental Effort

·  Provide reassurance and support to residents who may be stressed, anxious and upset.

·  Keep on top of a busy workload, ensuring that services are provided and a homely atmosphere maintained.

Health and Safety Responsibilities

All employees are responsible for:

·  Taking care of their own safety and that of others.

·  Ensuring that equipment is not damaged.

·  Complying with our health and safety policy, procedures and instructions.

·  Reporting to the Line Manager any hazard, accident, damage, concern or defect in order that remedial action may be undertaken.

·  Undergoing any training or instruction to enable them to work competently and safely.

Other

This job description outlines the main functions and responsibilities of the post. The post holder may be required to undertake additional duties as required, commensurate with the level of the job.

Training requirements

One of the objectives of the RAF Association is to build an organisation based on quality. Accordingly, there will be an ongoing need to review the training requirements of staff to meet the changing demands of the organisation. Training requirements will be discussed at the review meetings.

Review procedures

There will be an annual review of the post and job contents. In addition there will be an interim review 6 months after the annual review. These reviews will be led by the Welfare Manager.

Key Performance Indicators:

Annual Key Performance Indicators will be defined by the Secretary General and Trustees. These are cascaded to relevant Directors who will inform staff of their own objectives and assess these in an annual appraisal.

ASSISTANT WARDEN WEXFORD HOUSE

Person Specification

Essential / Desirable
Knowledge and Experience / ·  Previous experience of working with older people
·  Ability to cater and to provide healthy meals for up to 8 residents on a daily basis.
·  Hold (or be prepared to work towards) a Food Hygiene Certificate, appropriate First Aid, Fire and H&S training / ·  Awareness of the work of the RAF Association
·  Basic IT skills specifically Word, Outlook, Internet.
Communication and Relationships / ·  Ability to maintain a happy homely environment for the benefit of the residents.
·  Ability to communicate clearly and sensitively with elderly people.
·  Ability to succinctly verbally report to the Warden any occurrences.
·  A confident manner / ·  Experience in building relationships with local organisations
People Management / ·  An ability to positively relate to others whilst not becoming emotionally involved.
Decision Making and Problem Solving / ·  Experience of prioritising work.
·  Ability to make decisions
·  Ability to resolve on site problems.
Financial & Physical Resources Responsibility / ·  Ability to purchase food and general stores for Wexford House within a set budget. / ·  Understanding of personal budgeting.
Responsibility for Information / ·  Able to accurately record information on residents’ records
·  Confidentially in all matters
Working Conditions / ·  Prepared to undertake some unpaid overtime on occasions
Physical/
Mental Effort / ·  Able to remain calm under pressure

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