AGENDA FOR CHANGE

NHS JOB EVALUATION SCHEME

JOB DESCRIPTION TEMPLATE

Revised February 2010

1.JOB IDENTIFICATION

Job Title: Social Care Assistant
Reports to (insert job title): Care Home Manager
Department, Ward or Section: Care Homes
CHP, Directorate or Corporate Department: North & West Operational Unit and South & Mid Operational Unit
Job Code:GENHHSCRESICARE02
No of Job Holders: TBC but varies by size of Care Home
Effective date of this job description: TBC

2. JOB PURPOSE

  • To support care staff to meet the needs of older people in a residential care setting, as required by legislation
  • To provide personal care and support to service users
  • To work flexibly within the care home setting, and where necessary in other settings, to promote the well-being of service users, and to work towards the maximisation of service users’ abilities
  • To support the care team to assist service users to live as independent a life as possible
  • To work within the reablement framework, which promotes the abilities of service users and where possible aims towards a regaining of skills

3. DIMENSIONS
15 Care Homes for older adults across Highland Health & Social Care Partnership area (2 Care Homes have a shared Manager)
6-24 residents per Care Home
Some Care Homes provide a Respite service
Some Care Homes provide day care services or have a formal link with the external provision of day care services

4. ORGANISATIONAL POSITION

See Appendices for organisational charts for large, medium-size and small Care Homes

5. ROLE OF DEPARTMENT OR SECTION

To provide care to older adults in a variety of settings

6. MAIN TASKS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Working under the supervision of the shift leader, to provide personal care and support to service users, including:
  • Contributing to the movement and treatment of service users to maximise their physical comfort
  • Assisting as required with nutritional needs, including where appropriate assisting service users to eat and drink
  • Enabling and assisting service users with continence management
  • Enabling service users to access toilet facilities
  • Enabling and assisting service users to wash, dress and maintain personal hygiene
To be familiar with, and work to, the National Care Standards for Care Homes
To contribute to care plans with the key worker for the service user
To undertake domestic duties as directed by the shift leader
To cover kitchen duties as directed and guided by the shift leader
To assist with laundry responsibilities as required
To undertake vehicle escort duties as required
To be aware of own responsibilities in relation to health and safety
To undertake a continuous process of risk assessment in relation to the role within the care home and in other settings as required
To participate in personal development activities, including attending training when appropriate

7. EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY USED

Hoists, slides, wheelchairs and other equipment used in the mobilisation of service users
8. SYSTEMS
Be familiar with Violent Incident and Accident reporting procedures and comply with these at all times.
Be familiar with electronic and paper-based systems for recording service user data

9. ASSIGNMENT AND REVIEW OF WORK

All duties are carried out under the direction of, and with the support and guidance of, the Care Home Manager, the Deputy Care Home Manager or the shift leader.
The postholder will work alone with service users at times, but other members of the care team are always available for advice and assistance
10. DECISIONS AND JUDGEMENTS
Reports changes in service users’ condition to members of the care team
Contributes to the planning and monitoring of service delivery through, for example, team meetings.

11. MOST CHALLENGING/DIFFICULT PARTS OF THE JOB

Working in a reablement setting with service users who may not be motivated to regain their skills
Working with service users who are incontinent
Working with service users with dementia and occasionally unpredictable behaviour
12. COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS
Communicates with service users who may have impaired understanding and/or may be suffering from dementia
Has to use tact and patience when working with service users who may be demanding or challenging
Has to use persuasive skills when working with service users who may not be motivated to regain lost skills and confidence
13. PHYSICAL, MENTAL, EMOTIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB
Physical Skills: skills for using hoists, slides etc to mobilise service users using standard moving and handling techniques
Physical Effort: uses hoists and wheelchairs daily to mobilise service users. Assists service users to use commodes
Mental Effort: concentration for carrying out care tasks
Emotional Effort: frequent exposure to emotional circumstances eg deterioration in the condition of a service user, death of a service user
Working Conditions: Frequent exposure to body fluids and foul linen

14. KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED TO DO THE JOB

Eligible for registration as Support Worker with the Scottish Social Services Council or eligible to work towards registration
Good basic education
Ability and willingness to undertake training to SVQ Care level 2
Sensitive to the needs of others
Able to relate to clients/service users and their carers and relatives.
Knowledge and awareness of the approved protocols for the administration of medicines
Able to record information to a reasonable level and to complete basic administrative tasks
Have an understanding of the importance of health and safety in the workplace and become familiar with NHS Highland’s Health and Safety procedures
15. JOB DESCRIPTION AGREEMENT
I agree that the above Job Description is an accurate reflection of my duties and responsibilities at the date of signing.
Job Holder’s Signature:
Manager’s Signature: / Date:
Date:

Version 1 – May 2016