Care Assistant

Job summary

Home Care Assistant Role:

As a Healthcare Assistant (HCA), your primary responsibility will be to ensure the well-being and comfort of individuals in their own homes. You will assist with various tasks, ranging from everyday chores to addressing complex care needs. Driving, walking, or taking public transport between clients' homes will be a regular part of your job. Working closely with individuals in need, your role as a Healthcare Assistant will offer a diverse range of responsibilities each day. If you are passionate about delivering top-quality care, then this role might be a perfect fit for you.

The key responsibilities include:

• Providing personal care duties
• Administering medication
• Engaging in manual handling and utilizing necessary equipment
• Promoting the health and well-being of customers, enabling them to live fulfilling lives. 

Working as a Care Assistant is an extremely rewarding, and fulfilling role. It's ideal for anyone wanting to obtain more experience and knowledge within the Healthcare Sector or anyone looking for a part-time job in which they will learn new skills, become more confident, and really make a difference to someone else's day. 

Shift Patterns:

We are seeking both full and part-time Care Assistants. 

For consistency for both staff and our clients, we require all staff to give fixed days they are available to work. We will then organise your rota accordingly based on where you are located and your available days to work. We work off a two-week schedule. 

Our shift patterns are 7am - 3pm and 3pm - 11pm (unless there is an emergency, shifts do typically finish at 10/10:30pm).

We do ask all of our full time staff to work alternating weekends. 

We understand that our typical shift patterns may not be suitable for everyone. If this is the case, at interview please disclose any concerns surrounding your availability as we will look to work around you where possible. 

We understand that you may need to change your availability dates - if this is the case, we are able to alter your availability dates with 1 month's notice. 

Experience and Suitability for the Care Assistant Role

We value a team that genuinely cares for each of our customers as if they were their own family. We seek care workers who are confident in their skills and knowledge. Formal education or prior healthcare experience is not necessary as we provide comprehensive training and development for our Care Assistants. We understand the importance of equipping our healthcare assistants with the necessary skills to deliver excellent care to our customers. Therefore, we look for individuals who are eager to learn, naturally compassionate, caring, and patient.

A Typical Day for Our Care Assistants: 

07:00 - 11:00: Breakfast calls

You will arrive at the first client's location given on your rota - usually, the start time's are 7am however, depending on who your first client is for the day this may be slightly later in the morning. 

Depending on your assigned area and the length of care visits, you may have several morning calls with different clients.

Your responsibilities include assisting clients with getting up, bathing, dressing, and preparing breakfast.

Medication administration will be required for some clients.

Depending on the visit duration and individual needs, you might assist with household chores such as laundry, emptying bins, or washing dishes.

You may also attend to continence needs, such as changing pads or emptying commodes, and ensure the client has fluids and snacks within reach for the day.

11:00 - 14:00: Lunch calls

Clients may be served a light lunch, and you may assist them in meal preparation.

Additional tasks may include light cleaning, tidying, or shopping.

15:00 - 18:00: Teatime

Some clients prefer to have a snack or meal during this time.

Many clients require regular medication, and you may provide reminders or assistance.

19:00 - 22:30: Evening/bedtime calls

Unless there is an emergency, your shift would typically end around 22:00.

Evening calls often involve preparing supper, making hot drinks, and ensuring clients are ready for bed.

You may need to assist with attaching night bags, with catheter care, or with incontinence pads.

Each client has unique needs and preferences, and your support will be tailored accordingly. 

Some clients require multiple visits per day, especially if they have severe mobility issues or increased support needs. In such cases, the purpose of frequent visits is to ensure they eat, drink, take medication, and receive necessary assistance. Additionally, some clients with limited mobility may require two caregivers to provide a "double up" service, assisting with moving and supporting the client.

Additional Information:

• You will require a full and valid UK driving license if applying as a driver.
• We pay £0.35p per mile or live in the vicinity of care delivery – please note we pay 50% of all bus fees as a reimbursement.
• We require all Care Assistants to have an excellent level of English proficiency.
• We have a starting pay rate for all staff of £12.21.
• Flexible contract.
• 28 days of paid holiday pro rata.
• Induction training, paid shadowing shifts, and supervisions
• Ongoing training and support throughout your time with us.
• Job satisfaction and opportunities for career progression.
• Flexible working hours.
• Pension scheme.
• Free uniform and personal protective equipment (PPE).