Reporting Relationship

Nurse in Charge/Unit Manager

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Person Centred Support

• To work under the direction of the Unit/Centre Manager to ensure that the highest possible standards of care are maintained at all times, consistent with the mission, vision and values of the service.
• To report immediately to the Unit/Centre Manger and/or Person in Charge, any incident of concern involving either staff member or resident, in accordance with the organisation’s incident reporting policy. 
• Support resident in gaining FETAC or other qualifications if appropriate to their level of ability and skills assessment.
• Working in partnership with MDT staff, families and other key people to support the resident to work towards and achieve their personal goals, guided by their individual care plan.
• To act as a key worker for a named resident where appropriate. • Providing individualised support, using a facilitative approach to personal care, whilst ensuring residents’ right to dignity and respect at all times.
• Ensure confidentially and privacy of the resident at all times.
• Enabling the resident to eat a well-balanced diet, through supporting him/her in meal preparation at whatever level of assistance he/she requires, promoting personal choice at all times.
• Assisting and promoting good personal care skills, e.g. toileting, bathing/showering.
• To carry out any duties necessary to ensure the comfort and hygiene of residents.

Community participation

• Facilitating the resident to take an active part in their community, by supporting them in whatever way necessary to use a wide range of community facilities. This may involve trips/excursions outside of normal working hours.
• Promote active citizenship within the local community for resident.
• Guide and support resident in volunteering and employment in the community, if they so wish (in liaison with training coordinators and community facilitator).

Communications

• Communicate with family, visitors, day service and other professionals in a courteous and professional manner.
• Communicate in a clear and respectful manner with residents, being aware of individual levels of skills and abilities i.e. using approaches as per the person’s needs.
• Documenting and relaying information to relevant people e.g. families, centre manager and care plan.
  

Residents best possible health

• Accompanying residents to medical and clinical appointments (where applicable). 
• Monitoring health and wellbeing of residents and reporting concerns to centre manager.
• Supporting residents to manage their personal medication in line with current practice (where applicable). 
• Promoting a healthy living ethos to the resident, in relation to diet, exercise and positive mental health.
  

Household Management

• Supporting the residents in undertaking general housekeeping such as catering, cleaning, tidying and laundry. This may involve training residents to perform these tasks and/or working alongside them. 
• Plan for the conservation and economical use of supplies, heating, light, goods and equipment. Maintain adequate stocks in the centre and manage their use. 
• Ensure that equipment and facility are maintained in a clean and safe condition at all times.
  

Health and Safety

• To monitor the building and immediate vicinity for problems and to report any faults immediately to the centre manager or other designated person. 
• To undertake assigned duties regarding the security of the unit e.g. fire security, burglar alarm, opening, locking etc. 
• To undertake all Health and Safety mandatory training i.e. Manual Handling, Fire and Safety.
  
• Perform duties in a manner conducive to health and safety and in accordance with Talbot Group policies and procedures. 
• To ensure that food is prepared and stored in a hygienic manner in line with the guidelines of the Environmental Health Service, HACCP etc. 
• To work with the unit manager in identifying risks to residents both within the centre and the community. 
• Immediate reporting and documentation of all incidents and accidents in line with Talbot Group policies and procedures. 
• Be familiar with emergency procedures and participate in evacuations and fire drills

Record and Financial Management

• To maintain records as are required in the individual service in an accurate and concise manner e.g. daily report, financial records, communication books, family contact sheets and care plan. 
• To manage and maintain household and other expenditure records attached to the running of the centre, where required. 
• To ensure that files are up to date and stored in an orderly and secure fashion that ensures resident confidentiality. 
• Ensure receipts are sough and accounts are maintained for all expenditure.
  

Training and ongoing development 

• Attend and participate in training courses including external courses as required by the needs of the resident and in accordance with Company policy and national standards e.g. adult protection. 
• To undertake training identified for professional development. 
• Attend and participate in staff meetings as requested by the Unit Manager. 
• Willingness and commitment to review and change work practices in line with training and service developments. 
• Attend supervision session with identified line manager/supervisor. • Attend performance/ appraisal meetings, as required with line manager.
  

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• Health or Social Care qualification e.g. third level degree in Psychology, Social care, Social Work etc. OR 
• Fetac Level 5 – Health Care Major Award or its equivalent 
• Experience working in a care environment. 
• Good knowledge of the principals and techniques utilised in cognitive rehabilitation.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

• Previous experience in providing care for persons with an intellectual disability. 
• Experience working in a rehabilitation setting. 
• Full driving licence.
• Have completed Intellectual Disability Module as part of Fetac 5 Major Award.

Special Skills and Competencies

Competencies appropriate to the post:

• Communication & Interpersonal: Can speak clearly, fluently and in a compelling manner to both individuals and groups. Adapts communication style to suit audience. Writes in a clear and concise manner, using appropriate templates, style and language for the reader. Establishes, maintains and concludes therapeutic interpersonal relationships with services users/residents and other stakeholders. Is able to build rapport quickly with others.
• Adaptability & Reliability: Able to react effectively at short notice to changing circumstances. Willing to accept advice and suggestions from others and to learn from experience by changing own behaviour. Demonstrates a high level of dependability in all aspects of the job.
• Problem Solving and Initiative: Builds a logical approach to address problems or opportunities or manage the situation at hand by drawing on their knowledge and experience base, and calling on other resources as necessary. A bias for taking action; the ability to think ahead of the current situation, particularly before problems or crises occur.
• Quality and Person Centredness: Demonstrates eagerness to understand service user/resident needs. Views the service user/resident as central to the delivery of every day service through consistent understanding, tolerance, care, support and empathy while promoting empowerment, independence and choice. Determined to offer a quality service through the achievement of goals and quality standards.
• Teamwork and Supporting Colleagues: The ability and desire to work cooperatively with others; effectively builds relationships with colleagues. Collaborating and cooperating to get the job done and to facilitate and coordinate the care and support of service users/residents. Uses diplomacy/tact and interpersonal skills to break barriers in a positive and constructive way which supports others in reaching consensus.