Home Care Support Worker

at  Blanchardstown and Inner City Home Care Association

JOB DESCRIPTION

Home Care Support Workers required to provide care and support for people in their own homes.

• Essential: Own transport and full clean driving licence.
• Relevant Qualification: Fetac Level 5 or QQI Level 5 Healthcare Support, equivalent or higher. Must have a minimum of the following modules completed and passed: Care of the Older Person and Care Skills.
• Locations: Dublin 1, 7 and 15.
• Rates of Pay: €13.34–€25.40 per hour. PREMIUM PAY RATES are paid for evening and weekend hours worked.
• Hours: Flexible working hours Monday to Friday (Availability for every second weekend also)
• Accountable To: Supervisor/ Manager
• Key Responsibility: To provide a service to Service Users that enables them to lead as independent a lifestyle as possible.

Salary

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Willingness to undertake Garda Vetting.
• Clean Garda Clearance Certificate.
• Own transport.
• Full clean driving licence.
• Minimum of two former employer references.
• Proof of relevant qualifications i.e. Fetac/QQI Level 5 (Must have Care of the Older Person and Care Skills)
• Fitness to Work Certificate from GP to work in this role.
• Good general health and willingness to undergo a medical if required.
• Empathy with fellow Home Care Support Workers and those receiving care.
• Excellent communication skills and use of the English language.
• Good listening skills and sensitivity in giving emotional support.
• A helpful manner and ability to communicate with people in a variety of situations and from different backgrounds.
• Excellent work ethos.
• Ability to give physical and personal care e.g. toileting, washing and feeding.
• Willingness to help with domestic duties, including cooking, if required, in the Care Plans.
• Ability to build relationships with service users, their families, colleagues and other healthcare professionals, and help Service Users to maintain their social links, were possible.
• Ability to work in a team and report to a Management Staff, any observations affecting a Service User’s, their family’s and/or friend’s circumstances.
• Respect for confidentiality at all times.
• Ability to work alone, use initiative and be mindful of health and safety at all times.
• Experience of being in a caring situation.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Treating Service Users with dignity, sensitivity and respect.
• Listening, talking to and getting to know Service Users.
• Making sure that Service Users know the relevant Company’s policies and procedures.
• Encouraging Service Users to have an input into care provision.
• Helping Service Users to be safe, happy and have as much fun as possible.
• Encouraging Service Users to express feelings, fears and experiences openly.
• Where applicable, respecting Service Users’ privacy in bathrooms and in relation to personal care in general.
• Dressing, undressing and preparing Service Users for trips out.
• Washing, bathing, showering, shaving, grooming and, but not limited to, cleaning teeth.
• Washing and brushing hair.
• Taking care of nails (fingernails only).
• Helping Service Users with toileting and all aspects of personal hygiene.
• Managing continence.
• Getting Service Users in and out of bed safely.
• Assisting with the use of Aids to Daily Living/ Rehabilitation Aids, as required.
• Helping with rehabilitation programmes, as prescribed by Healthcare professionals.
• Always responding to complaints or allegations.
• Helping Service Users realise the difference between confidentiality and secrecy.
• Being sensitive to the fact that some Service Users are more vulnerable and may have special needs.
• Preparing snacks and meals according to Service Users’ likes/dislikes.
• Assisting with feeding, as required.
• Carrying out general cleaning duties, to include, but not limited to, cleaning, dusting, vacuuming and polishing.
• Bed making, laundering, hand‐washing, ironing and, but not limited to, light needlework, as required.
• Shopping, the preparation of shopping lists and assistance with budgeting.
• Assisting with personal finances, to include paying bills and collecting pensions in some circumstances.
• Cooking nutritional meals if required.

WHY IS THIS A GREAT ROLE TO HAVE?

You get to make a positive difference to peoples lives every day.
You will experience genuine job satisfaction like few other roles, supporting people to live independently in their own communities and enjoying the best possible quality of life. If you like engaging with people and and want rewarding and meaningful work, this is the job for you!