Careers & opportunities

JOB SUMMARY:

To provide care to individuals, usually within their own homes, as a part of care in the community. You will be expected to perform a variety of tasks, according to individual needs and work towards a set of outcomes agreed by the service user.

These tasks will be set out clearly in a document called a Care & Support Plan that will be available for you to see each time you visit a service user/person. Whilst undertaking any tasks within your role, it is important to remember not to take away a person’s physical or personal independence and choice.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Personal care: Assist with personal hygiene, washing assistance with using the toilet, assistance with incontinence pads, commodes and catheter bags
• Support with eating and drinking: Ensuring that clients are encouraged to eat a healthy, balanced diet and the correct quantities, prepared meals look appetising and make sure the way they eat is appropriate for the client
• Assisting with shopping:This is completed on the client’s request and a finance form must be completed with a receipt
• Assist with mobility:Use of a hoist or other aides, or assistance in standing and movement. Dressing or assisting with any physical activity whereby the client’s needs support
• Domestic duties:Cleaning, emptying bins, washing where requested
• Record keeping:MAR chart (for medication), log book (recording each visit to communicate to the next carer), care plan updates.
• Assist with medication: completing the MAR chart (Medical Administration Record) the administration of medication as outlined in the care plan and with customer consent
• Promote independence:to allow the client to do as much as they can for themselves and only offer support where they need it
• Maintain professional relationships:clients can only be visited on duty and a carer must be in full uniform, with ID and PPE (personal protection equipment). A carer must not accept any gratuities from the client.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & QUALIFICATIONS
Required:

• Physically able to cope with the demands of domiciliary care work which involves bending, lifting, stretching, kneeling, crouching, walking, getting up and down stairs and manual dexterity.
• Mentally able to cope with the demands of domiciliary care work which can be stressful and involve dealing with bereavement and challenging behaviour
• Self-motivated, organised and flexible
• Caring, patient and sensitive to the needs of others and to the sick or infirm
• An active team player but also able to work on own initiative
• A good communicator.

Person Specification:

Essential:

Qualifications

A commitment to complete Diploma level 2 • NVQ 2/3 or Diploma Level

Training in Social Care 2 in Social Care

Willingness to undertake training that will qualification or similar make a positive contribution and add value recognised social / health to the services provided.

Experience

No previous experience essential as full previous experience of training and support will be given. Work within the care profession, customer care related role.

Track record of experience within a previous role where priorities such as time keeping, attendance, honesty and reliability are essential.

Skills and Knowledge

An understanding of the Domiciliary care • Knowledge of Operational
Standards and the role of Care Quality aspect of other care

JOB SUMMARY

As a Senior Support Worker at Zera Healthcare, you will play a vital role in assisting the Team Leader and senior management team in the smooth running of our home care domiciliary support service. Reporting to the Team Leader and Registered Manager, you will primarily focus on carrying our support plans, supervising support workers, attending reviews, and ensuring the accuracy and supply of paperwork in service user’ homes.

Additionally, you will take on the role of Medication Competency Assessor, auditing MAR charts, liaising with GP and pharmacies and conducting competency assessments with new recruits and on an annual basis with support workers.

Your expertise and leadership will be instrumental in mentoring and shadowing support workers and new starters, conducting supervision of support workers, and ensuring the seamless delivery of person-centred support to our clients.

Responsibilities:

• Supervision and Support: provide supervision and guidance to support workers, ensuring they understand their roles and responsibilities and delivering high-quality support to clients.
• Attend Reviews: participate in client reviews, working collaboratively with professionals and other senior team members to assess progress and address any evolving needs to be outlined in support plans.
• Medication Competency Assessor: assume the role of a Medication Competency Assessor, ensuring accurate administration and documentation of medications in line with established protocols.
• MAR Chart Audits: conduct regular audits of Medication Administration Records (MAR) charts, ensuring compliance with regulations and promoting safe medication management.
• Supply of Paperwork: ensure that all necessary paperwork, documents, and forms required for client support are up to date, accurate, and readily available in clients’ homes.
• Liaison with GP and Pharmacies: establish effective communication channels with GPs and pharmacies to ensure seamless coordination of client care, including medication-related matters.
• Mentoring and Shadowing: support and mentor new support workers, assisting them during their induction and welcoming period to ensure a smooth transition into their roles.
• Support Plan Implementation: work closely with the support team to ensure that individual support plans are being implemented effectively and meet clients’ changing needs.
• Spot Checks and Inspections: conduct spot checks and inspections of clients’ homes to identify any unmet support needs or potential areas for improvement.
• Communication and Coordination: maintain open communication with the staff team, sharing any changes in procedures or policies and coordinating efforts to enhance service delivery.
• To take part in on-call rota.

Person Specification:

Essential:

• Experience as a Support Worker or in a similar role within the social care sector.
• Good understanding of elderly and end of life care and the impact a diagnosis has on individuals’ lives.
• Driving license
• QCF level 2 and a willingness to work towards level 3
• Ability to provide supervision, mentoring, and guidance to support workers.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail for MAR chart audits and paperwork management.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills for liaising with professionals and stakeholders.
• Empathy and compassion in providing person-centred support to clients with mental health challenges.
• Willingness to undertake the Medication Competency Assessor role and ensure safe medication administration.