Work as a care assistant

by

cardiff jobs

Often working in a residential care home, care assistants work as part of and under the supervision of the nursing team. As well as having a wide range of general duties within the workplace their main role is to care directly for the people within the home.

Some duties they will be expected to carry out are

Taking care of patients personal needs in terms of bathing them, feeding them if necessary and aiding them in toilet requirements

Helping patients to dress and undress

Aiming to provide patients with a stimulating environment in order that they can live to their fullest potential promoting patients independence wherever possible

Changing beds, tidying and light cleaning of rooms and bathrooms

Preparing meals and snacks for patients according to their dietary requirements or in accordance with their wishes

Promoting patients dignity and maintaining confidentiality of patients

Carrying out any ad hoc duties as requested by the nursing staff

Patients in the home will require 24 hour care, so the ability to work shifts is a must. Some care assistants live in the care home, sometimes for free as part of the employment package, and sometimes with accommodation costs being taken out of their pay. The qualities a care assistant should have are

A caring empathetic manner and enjoyment of working with vulnerable children and adults

Ability to communicate with other care home staff, patients, social services and GPs

Patience and good listening and interpersonal skills a second language may be helpful

Driving licence may be useful

No formal academic qualifications are required however any experience in working with disadvantaged people will be a benefit. Training is provided on the job, both in terms of general health and safety and caring for someone with a disability. There is the opportunity to work towards a qualification in social care (NVQ level two and three) and progress to become a Care Worker, with more responsibilities. The pay for care assistants is low, usually around the minimum wage limit.

Pay for an experienced care worker could be around 16-18,000.

swansea jobsjobs in swansea

Article Source:

Work as a care assistant }