Care Assistant – Intellectual Disability Service

at  Peamount Healthcare

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

FETAC Level 5 Healthcare Support certificate with a minimum of 6 modules, one of which to be work experience.
One year’s continuous experience of working with adults with an intellectual disability.
A flexible, committed and caring approach to carrying out the range of duties associated with the post.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

The Care Assistant (Intellectual Disability Service) will:
Attend induction and mandatory in-service education.
As directed participate in the induction of new staff.
Maintain continuous personal and participate in team-based development, education, training, and learning.
Participate in appraisal and the development of a personal development plan in conjunction with his / her line manager.
The health care assistant will when required be asked to attend other education by the CNM to enhance service delivery.

VALIDATION OF QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Any credit given to a candidate at interview, in respect of claims to qualifications, training and experience is provisional and is subject to verification. The recommendation of the interview board is liable to revision if the claimed qualification, training or experience is not proven.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Participate in mandatory training programmes.
Pursue continuous professional development in order to develop professional knowledge and keep updated with current and legislation.

OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The purpose of this position is to assist and support members of the staff team in providing residential care, respite, educational, development, meaningful activities and training services for residents with an intellectual disability within Peamount, or a Community Support service in accordance with Peamount Healthcare policies, procedures and guidelines and the Peamount’s Safety Statement. The successful candidate will be required to work within the guidelines of both HIQA and New Directions.
Responsible for the wellbeing of service users in the care
Support staff in facilitating the development of interpersonal relationships in each service, both within Peamount Healthcare and the wider community.
Enable the service users to value them self and enhance their feelings of self-worth and individuality.
Care for the day to day needs of the service users in the service.
Personal Care - helping those that require assistance in such tasks as dressing, washing, cooking, shopping, cleaning, looking after service user’s clothes. As far as possible the service user will be encouraged to partake in these activities.
Partake in full meal preparation in the home, where necessary.
Support service users on holidays away from the centre.
Engage in training and skill progression in line with changing needs of service users.
Attend Safe Administration of Medication (SAM) training to support service users with medication administration.
Facilitating service users to use their leisure time tailored to their needs, with an emphasis on community integration.
Support the resident in planning and engaging with meaningful activities, in accordance with their wishes and ability. This can include activities within the home (e.g.: craft work, baking, music, music), maintaining/facilitating family contact, community engagement (e.g.: mass, library visits, meals out) and campus based activities (e.g.: partaking in horticulture events, gardening, walking).
Empowering residents to partake in planning by facilitating house meetings.
Supporting residents with their religions and spiritual needs.
Contribute to goals and completion of the personal support plan.
Work positively and constructively with service users who present with behaviours that challenge.
Use of person first language in verbal and written communication.
Work with and liaise with all grades of staff in your assigned centre and other centres. Support staff and ensure that families and visitors to the service are attended to with consideration.
Undertake driving duties in Peamount vehicles and / or own transport.
Work a shift rota, spread over 7 days, as determined by management
Maintain records and reports required by the Unit Manager for the efficient running of the service.
Ensure that the health and welfare of staff and service users is maintained in accordance with Peamount Healthcare procedures and that all safety precautions are implemented.

ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES

The Care Assistant (Intellectual Disability Service) will:
Attend staff meetings and contribute constructively to the smooth running of the unit.
Contribute to the maintenance of updating of patient/ client / resident documentation
Care Assistants should conduct themselves in a manner that conveys respect of the individual and ensures safe client care. The personal characteristics that indicate these principles should include:
Confidentiality
Courtesy
Accountability
Communication
Dignity and Privacy
Health and Safety
A positive attitude.

SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES

It is the responsibility of all staff to:
Participate and cooperate with legislative and regulatory requirements with regard to Quality, Risk and Safety.
Participate and cooperate with external agencies on safety initiatives as required.
Participate and cooperate with internal and external evaluations of hospital structures, services and processes as required, including but not limited to:
O National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare.
O National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections.
O HSE Standards and Recommended Practices for Healthcare Records Management
O Safety audits and other audits specified by the HSE or other regulatory authorities.
To initiate, support and implement quality improvement initiatives in their area which are in keeping with the hospital’s continuous quality improvement programme.
It is the responsibility of all managers to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements for Quality, Safety and Risk within their area/department.