WELCOME
INFORMATION
PACK
FOR
STUDENTS
St Andrews House Care Home
Compiled October 2017
Dear Student,
On behalf of all the staff welcome to St Andrews House Care Home. We hope that you will quickly feel part of the team and that your placement here will be an enjoyable and educationally enriching experience. The care home setting will allow you to enhance your understanding of older people as individuals with feelings and needs and to develop the skills to build relationships in a supportive, caring environment. You will be assigned a mentor who will help guide you through your placement.
All members of staff are committed to ensuring that the NHS Education for Scotland’s Quality Standards for Practice Placements are met and that mentorship support is in accordance with the NMC Standards to support learning and assessment in practice.
Getting the most out of your placement will depend on how well you utilise your time. The home is very busy and it may not always be possible to work directly with your mentor- especially if they are in charge of the home. We expect you to use your initiative in either participating in the activities or working with other staff members. If there is a quieter spell or you have university work which requires completion then please negotiate with your mentor to get some time for study.
We hope, having enjoyed your placement, you will complete the Evaluation Form at the back of this pack.
ABOUT US
1 James Foulis Court
St Andrews
Fife
KY16 8SY
t. 01334 479 593
f. 01334 478 191
Click the View Map facility on the University of Dundee placement profile website for our exact location.
Opened in 2004, St Andrews House is a purpose built, independently owned care home for 60 residents located on the outskirts of St Andrews. Situated within its own landscaped gardens, St Andrews House is within easy reach of both the town centre,shopping facilities and the scenic North East Fife coastline.
Our team of dedicated staff consists of:
Manager
Deputy Manager
Nursing Staff
Senior care assistants
Care assistants
Administrator
Domestic Staff
Activities coordinator
Maintenance
Kitchen staff
Our shift patterns are:
Day: 7.45am – 3.00pm, 2.45pm-10.00pm
Night: 9.45pm-08.00am
Where possible you will follow the same shift pattern of your allocated mentor to maximise the amount of time spent directly or indirectly with your mentor. You are welcome to contact the home prior to your start date to arrange an informal visit to meet your mentor and organise off duty etc.
If you experience problems with your off-duty or any other aspect of your placement please see your mentor or any other member of staff who will be happy to help.
St Andrews House is within easy reach of the Town centre. If you are travelling from further afield you can access all travel information from the Traveline Scotland Website: www.travelinescotland.com
For those travelling by car there are parking facilities within the grounds of the nursing home.
There are no canteen facilities on-site but you can heat up snack items that you have brought from home. There is also staff changing facilities on site.
If you have any sickness absence during your placement time as well as adhering to the University policy or procedures please contact the home directly on the number above to inform us of your absence and again when you are to resume to your placement time.
The home operates a No Smoking Policy
We strive at all times to provide the best quality of care to our residents and to ensure that all staff, including those visiting our establishment, are supported as effectively as possible.
OUR PHILOSOPHY OF CARE
Our philosophy is founded on the principles of individual choice, maintaining dignity, respecting equality and diversity, the respect for individual privacy, safety and the opportunity for each one of our residents to realise their own potential and enable and encourage residents to maintain a high standard of living.
We welcome anyone with varying physical or mental health needs, offering flexible and individual care. Whether you're looking for long-term or 24 hour nursing care, respite or convalescence, we ensure that you receive care that meets your individual needs and preferences.
OUR PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION
We are committed to provide and maintain a quality learning environment. Students are encouraged to develop the knowledge, skills and attitude to competently deliver care under the direct supervision of a registered practitioner.
We encourage students to ask questions and will always try to answer them. However, we will expect the students to assist with their own learning by developing a questioning approach. We look forward to hearing their views and suggestions about how we can improve the learning experience for our students.
We will treat students as individuals acknowledging their needs and encouraging them to feel part of the care team by involving them in assisting and directing healthcare professionals in providing nursing care.
We will treat students with respect and recognise and value the contribution of all students in the process of planning and carrying out patient care and assist them to achieve/maintain knowledge and skills in order to provide safe and effective care.
We aim to work in partnership with the university in order to maximise the provision of an enjoyable and effective learning environment for nursing students, in order to advance knowledge and skills, which will benefit our patients – current and future.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM US
v You will receive a timely induction into your work area to ensure you are familiar with the environment and are able to practice safely.
v During your placement you will be allocated a mentor to work alongside. The mentor will be a qualified practitioner who will assist and support you during your placement and provide supervision during your clinical practice.
v You will discuss your learning needs and outcomes at the beginning of the placement.
v We will provide a safe and healthy environment which is conducive to meeting identified individual student learning needs suitable to your stage of education combining relevant theory with practice.
v Your mentor will assess your performance against your course learning outcomes and provide continuous feedback to help you develop your skills. You can expect to have an initial, midway and final assessment/interview with your mentor.
v We expect to be asked questions and we will endeavour to answer these appropriately. However, as an adult learner we may nudge you in the right direction and encourage you to get the answers for yourself.
v You will be given time for reflection and review.
v You will be a valued member of our team during your placement and can expect support from all your colleagues.
v We will listen to your feedback about your placement and will respond to any issues raised sensitively.
WHAT WE EXPECT FROM YOU
v We expect you to act in a professional manner in accordance with the NMC Guidance on professional conduct for nursing and midwifery students. Please be courteous, respectful and show enthusiasm, interest and motivation to learn.
v We expect you to arrive on time for planned shifts and any other activity identified by the mentor or delegated supervisor.
v We expect you to ensure your Mentor is aware of your learning outcomes for the placement and specific learning needs.
v You are responsible for the safe-keeping of your assessment documentation and to make these readily available to your mentor to assist them in your ongoing assessment.
v You will be guided in many areas but you will also be expected to assist your own learning through questioning, research and teamwork.
v You will be expected to work with a variety of our dedicated staff and we expect you to treat each one with respect and acknowledge the skills and expertise they are willing to share with you.
v We expect you to dress in accordance with the University uniform policy.
v You should inform your Mentor or delegated person if you are unwell, not able to attend your placement or have to leave unexpectedly.
v We expect you to maintain and respect confidentiality at all times. This applies to clients, their records and discussions between the student and the Mentor.
v We would like you to raise any issues regarding your placement with your mentor. If this is not possible you should contact your Learning Team Facilitator.
v You should reflect on your progress to increase self-awareness, confidence and competence.
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Prior to commencement of your placement at St Andrews House you may wish to consider what experience and pre-existing knowledge you have and what you hope to gain from your placement in terms of further knowledge, skills and experiences that you require in order to fulfill your competencies and meet the standards contained within your pre-registration programme.
Your mentor will discuss your learning objectives for your placement in line with your assessment documentation taking into account your previous experience and personal objectives. The following outline of Learning Opportunities available to you whilst on placement here should be used as a framework to guide you and your mentor to devise a plan of learning for your placement.
You will meet with your Mentor for regular and consistent feedback which will contribute to the achievement of the learning outcomes, resulting in fair and objective assessment.
The following is a list of possible learning opportunities for you during your placement. The list is neither prescriptive nor exhaustive and you do not have to participate in all the activities identified, but it is hoped you will participate in most of them. There may also be other opportunities for learning available that are not identified in this list.
ESSENTIAL SKILLS:- CARE, COMPASSION AND COMMUNICATION
Nursing Perspectives
· Consider the Care Home Admission Procedures from the initial enquiry form, the waiting list procedure, prospective resident information packs, terms and conditions, contracts and become involved in pre-admission assessment visits.
· Familiarise yourself with the Named Nurse/Key Worker system within the Care Home
· Read and discuss the Philosophy of Care or Statement of Purpose which all Care Homes must develop.
Patient-Centred Perspectives
· Understand the ethical, moral and cultural aspects to making a decision as to whether one should enter a Care Home – from the resident and relatives’ perspectives.
· Look for best practice and guidance information on ethical care issues – such as use of bed rails, PEG feeding, covert medication
· Spend time with the Activities Organiser and visiting members of staff to understand the social side of care.
· Discuss Person-Centred Care with your Mentor and how it is achieved in care homes.
· Discuss Life Story work and Social Histories and how they influence the care residents’ receive.
· Become involved in outings and the local community with residents.
· Organise an activity i.e. reminiscence therapy. Collect relevant items from museums and local groups.
· Learn about Sensory Impairment and how to improve communication.
Multi-agency Perspectives
· Contact Social Services to learn about the Financial assessment process for entering Care Homes
· Contact Social Services regarding “Single Shared Assessment” process involved in entering Care Homes
· Become involved in Social Work reviews of Residents.
· Become involved in developing a Care Plan for new residents or reviews of existing residents.
· Visit a Carer’s Association Centre
Organisational perspectives
· Be aware of the National Care Standards for Older People.
· Be aware of the SSSC and their regulations.
· Read the latest Care Inspectorate Report for the Care Home. Understand the quality grading system.
· Learn how care homes actively involve service users and their families in the running of the Care Home – take part in a resident and relative meeting. Observe how this is evidenced for Care Inspectorate.
· Are there any volunteers connected to the care home – spend some time with them.
ESSENTIAL SKILLS - ORGANISATIONAL ASPECTS OF CARE
· Revise the Nursing Process/Systematic Approach from theory
· Discuss the assessment tools used in the Care Home.
· Become involved in using the tools and developing care plans.
· Learn about recording and write in care plans under supervision.
· Discuss issues surrounding risk assessment, policies and individuals’ rights.
· Learn how Care Homes help residents feel safe and secure. How is this linked to National Care Standards 8 and 9
· Manage a group of residents under supervision
· Learn about Health and Safety – refer to a book called “Health and Safety in Care Homes”. Assist and take part in various audits required to be carried out in the Care Home.
· Look at SSSC Codes of Practice and the NMC Code of Professional Conduct. Think about their similarities and differences.
· Attend in-service education if appropriate.
· Read relevant legislation and publications and discuss them with your mentor.
· Attend Staff meetings, Resident and Relative Meetings.
ESSENTIAL SKILLS - NUTRITION AND FLUID MANAGEMENT
· Identify the nutritional initiatives in the Care Home and the challenges in promoting a nutritious diet within the Care Home.
· If the opportunity arises, observe the Chef’s interviews with Residents regarding developing menus.
· Look at the guidance available regarding nutrition and fluid management.
· Learn how to monitor residents’ dietary and fluid intake in the Care Home.
· Observe and participate in patient assessment and development of nutritional plans for Residents under your Mentor’s supervision.
· Become involved in providing nutrition through alternative methods i.e. PEGS, NG, strategic placing of finger foods for people with dementia.
· Observe and if able, interact with visiting professionals i.e. Community Dietician, Speech and Language.
ESSENTIAL SKILLS - MEDICINES MANAGEMENT
· Observe (and participate depending on stage of learning), in dispensing and administering medication.
· Learn about the Care Home process for management of medication and compare this to the NHS.