Job description and qualifications:
A candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character. Confidentiality is a key requirement.
The Care Assistant is responsible for assisting with the provision of individualised patient care while under the supervision, direction and guidance of a Registered Nurse and as part of a multi-disciplinary team. The Care Assistant will ensure that he/she understands the core values of where he/she is placed.
Duties
· Assists patients/residents with hygiene needs at the bedside or in the bathroom;
· Observe Skin condition and report any abnormalities to the nurse in charge;
· Assists patients/residents with dressing and grooming in accordance with individual preference;
· Assists patients/residents with the use of commodes, bedpans urinals and toilets;
· Empties urine drainage bags and records urine and bowel output;
· Assists in the promotion of continence;
· Assists patients/residents at meal times and ensure patients/residents individual needs are met e.g. by collecting menus;
· Assists with distribution and collection of meal trays;
· Assists with preparation and serving of light snacks and nutritious drinks;
· Helps to ensure that individual dietary needs are adhered to;
· Assists with lifting, turning, moving and re-positioning of patients/residents using appropriate equipment; (Manual handling and Patient Handling and Moving courses needs to be completed)
· Assists patients/residents with walking and limb exercises;
· Assists with safe transfer of patients/residents from bed to chair in accordance with Manual Handling Policy;
· Assists with pressure sore prevention;
· Assists with and accompanies patients/residents to other departments and/or Hospitals;
· Assists patients/residents with achieving or maximising independence where applicable;
· Helps promote interpersonal relationships with patients/residents, their families, peers and colleagues;
· Helps to provide recreational and conversational support for patients/residents;
· Ensures patient/resident confidentiality at all times;
Maintaining a Safe Environment:
· Make occupied and unoccupied beds;
· Move and clean beds as required;
· Read and sign applicable chapters in the Safety Statement;
Communication:
· Reports any unusual occurrence to the manager/nurse in charge e.g. pain, distress;
· Participates in internal rotation including day, evening, night-duty.
· Performs any other appropriate duties appropriate to the post as may be assigned to him/her from time to time by the DON;
Health and Safety:
· Be familiar with all policies, practices and procedures;
· To adhere to the policies and procedures laid down in the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005;
· To maintain a safe work environment in co-operation with the Management Team and with reference to the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005;
· To work in a safe manner with due care and attention to safety of self and other authorised persons in the workplace;
· To report immediately to the DON/Nurse any accidents or incidents involving patients/residents, staff or members of the public.
· Attend to spillages immediately to reduce the risk of accidents/cross contamination;
· To practice high standards of personal hygiene including the wearing of proper attire, grooming, etc;
Infection Control:
- Comply with the Infection Control Policy e.g. Hand washing, isolation room procedures, use of personal protective equipment (gloves, aprons, visors);
- Maintain a clean environment with due consideration to Health and Safety issues;
- Assist with the disposal of clinical waste as per hospital guidelines (yellow bins);
- Ensure that used linen is placed into correct laundry bags and securely tied;
- Assist in the maintenance of room cleanliness;
General:
· To adhere to policies at all times;
- To work under the direction of a qualified member of staff at all times;
- To report back to a qualified member of staff following attending resident’s care;
- To Act in such a manner as to safeguard the interests and well being of residents;
· To perform such other duties appropriate to the post as may be assigned from time to time by the DON;
· To ensure confidentiality in all matters of information obtained during the course of employment
Self Development:
· To be aware of current developments and issues in health care by reading current literature and keeping abreast of new developments, attending ‘in-house’ seminars, lectures and courses when possible and as appropriate in consultation with the DON;
· To assume responsibility for his/her own professional development and safe work practice;
· To ensure a safe environment for himself/herself, colleagues and visitors;
Garda Clearance:
Arrangements have been introduced, on a national level, for the provision of Garda Clearance in respect of candidates for employment in areas of the Health Services, where it is envisaged that potential employees would have substantial access to children or vulnerable individuals. Each candidate will be required to complete a Garda Clearance form.
Career opportunities:
In order to secure employment it is important to establish a profile on a job hunting website. Personally, I have chosen LinkedIn to highlight my particular skills set -
The following websites are an excellent resource as they specifically look for a Healthcare Assistants:
There are also positions advertised on Fas.ie, jobs.ie, to name but a few.
http://cork.gumtree.ie/f-Jobs-healthcare-nursing-W0QQCatIdZ8098 (personal advertisements can be created and posted on Gumtree)
Healthcare Assistants can gain employment in the following settings:
Day centres, community centres, hospitals, nursing homes, hospice, respite care services, mental health services and nursing agencies.
There are opportunities to progress to senior positions in the Health Care sector through your experience and further education or training which you may undertake in areas such as the Social Sciences, Nursing Studies, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, the list is endless.
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