Care Assistant

at  Viewpoint Housing Association

Department: Care Homes
Role: Care
Contract Term: Permanent
Date posted: 11 November 2024
Closing date: 9 December 2024
Employment hours: 37.5 hours per week
Shift pattern: 3 days over 7
Salary: 12.42 per hour
Benefits:

We offer a generous reward package which includes:

• 7 weeks holidays including public holidays
• Flexible shift patterns
• Enhanced overtime rates
• SSSC (renewal paid)
• Attractive pension scheme
• Life insurance (death in service benefit)
• Subsidised meals
• Free uniforms
• An up to 3 week Induction Programme where you work alongside a colleague and are supervised and supported in practice to take responsibility for your work.
• Wellbeing support (Employee Assistance Programme)
• Bluelight Discounts

Location: Marian House, EH9 2HE

ABOUT US

At Viewpoint, people matter, not just our residents and tenants but our staff. We are a registered non-profit making organisation providing a range of general needs housing, supported housing and care services for older people in Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife. Established in 1947, our primary objective is to improve the quality of life and well-being of our care home residents and tenants through promoting independence, enabling choice and offering peace of mind in a safe, secure and supported environment.

ABOUT YOU

You will ideally have knowledge and understanding of the difficulties that can be experienced by older people. You might have gained this through providing support in a community setting, through experience in your own family, or through another relevant environment.
You are kind and respectful, always focused on preserving the dignity and self-respect for those you are or would be caring for. You have excellent verbal and written communication skills and are able to work effectively with a variety of people from a variety of backgrounds. You are keen to support and drive the development of a positive working culture.
To apply for the vacancy you must complete our online application form - we do not accept CV’s.
When completing the form please refer to our Job Description and Person Specification as we are looking for you to evidence and demonstrate in the personal statement section of our online application why you are the best person for this role.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Under the direction and guidance of the Nurse on duty, and on occasions the Senior Carer, you will deliver the highest standards of holistic care and attention for the residents.
• You will ensure that you read and understand each resident’s personal care plan prior to providing care, seeking guidance from the Nurse/Senior carer on duty as required.
• You will deliver person centred care as detailed in the personal care plan, with a view to promoting individuality and independence and assisting in the use and care of aids and personal equipment.
• You will be responsible for updating and maintaining personal care plans by inputting data on the PCS hand held device, in a clear and accurate manner and should alert the Nurse on duty to concerns about the care and wellbeing of residents.
• You will assist in the keeping of accurate records in accordance with registration and legal requirements e.g. turning and fluid charts, visual checks, food and fluid charts, daily notes etc, ensuring that handover reports can be given to your colleagues.
• You will be responsible for assisting residents to care for their possessions, ensuring the safe use of equipment in their home environment meets their needs.
• You will be responsible for operating equipment safely in a way which reduces potential risks.
• You will maintain a consistently high standard of cleanliness to minimise the risk of spreading infection, ensuring that all Health and Safety training is put into practice and reporting incidents, accidents, and complaints to the Nurse on duty or Care Home Manager.
• You will be asked to contribute to reviews for residents and delivering key objectives or tasks, working with colleagues across functions to share and transfer relevant knowledge and experience to achieve delivery of the care services.
• You will contribute to maintaining strong relationships with GP’s and all stakeholders including residents and relatives.
• You will assist with all personal care needs including washing, dressing, assisting with meals, maintaining and promoting continence, and all aspects of personal hygiene in line with each resident’s care plan.
• You will help to provide mental and physical stimulation by participating in recreational and social activities with the residents.
• You will be respectful and courteous when dealing with colleagues, relatives and other public and professional people.
• You will attend staff meetings and all required training sessions to ensure compliance with mandatory training requirements.
• Participate as part of VHA’s response team as part of the business continuity response to major incidents such as fire and flood and our emergency on call rota.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Within organisational policies and delegated authority be responsible for:

• The team systems, data and processes, including updating and implementing these related to your role.
• Assessing and managing risk as it relates to the team objectives.
• Undertaking organisational training, both internal and external as required, including LMS compliance, (examples include, Moving & Handling, Infection Control, Medication, Health & Safety, Safeguarding, GDPR, and Promoting Excellence in Dementia).
• You will contribute to the orientation and induction of new members of the care home team (as applicable) as directed by the nurse in charge etc.
• If required, you will be willing to participate in a “Champion Programme” taking responsibility for an identified area and undertake any training required & support the development and delivery of this training with members of the care home staff team, (examples include, Moving & Handling, Infection Control, Promoting Excellence in Dementia, Palliative/end of Life Care and infection Control).
• You will be required to maintain active status on SSSC register, act in accordance with SSSC Code and guiding documents and undertake any additional training responsibilities required to support staff development within the service.
• Contribute to the continuing review and compliance with all relevant policies and procedures.
• Providing accurate and timely management information relating to the team’s performance and how this contributes to overall business performance.
• You will comply of regulatory requirements, for example, Health and Social Care Standards, Health and Safety, Scottish Fire & Rescue Service and Environmental Health and Care Inspectorate and any other regulatory bodies identified.
• You will have full knowledge and understanding of the fire panel, process for raising the alarm, contacting the fire service, and what to do in the event of fire, resident fire evacuation plans (PEEPs), evacuation plan and be familiar with the business continuity plan.
• To provide additional cover within the team as requested when necessary.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As a Care Assistant, you play a key role in the life and individual wellbeing of our residents, ensuring that their physical, emotional and social needs are met and care is delivered to the highest standard in accordance with their care plans. You assist with all day to day aspects of personal care needs including washing, dressing, assisting with meals. You also help to provide mental and physical stimulation by participating in recreational and social activities with our residents.
You will have up to 3 weeks induction when you will work closely with an experienced member of our staff team, to get to know our residents, the rest of the care home team and other people within our organization. You will be supported and trained in a range of topics, including Fire Awareness, Moving & Handling, Infection Prevention & Control, Health & Safety, Safeguarding, and Promoting Excellence in Dementia, Palliative & End of Life Care, Record Keeping (using our information recording system) and Data Protection (GDPR). Thereafter, you will continue to be supported in your learning and development to grow and thrive in your role
We require you to register with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) and to maintain the registration throughout your employment. We also require you join the Adult Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme, and cover this cost for you.