Care Practitioner

Job Description - Care Practitioner

SHIFTS: 7:00-2 / 3:00 pm - 4 30 pm

PAY: Level 1: £13.40 weekdays - £13.90 weekends
Level 2: £14.00 weekdays - £14.50 weekends
Level 3: £15.00 weekdays - £15.50 weekends
45p per mile + from April 1st travel time will be paid

By Your Side Ltd Care Practitioner supports our customers in their own homes, always maintaining and promoting independence, dignity and safety. We believe that it is not where you are in life that matters, but who you have by your side. We offer respite to full time carers while giving companionship and support to those they care for, providing carers with valuable personal time and encouraging individuals to lead fulfilling and meaningful lives. We also form an integral part of independent living support for individuals without full time carers.

Is Being a Care Practitioner Right for You?

This is an important question to ask yourself before entering our recruitment process. If unsure, please learn more about being a care practitioner by reading through our website. You are welcome to contact us, meet our care practitioners or talk with the staff here to gain a deeper understanding.

Every member of By Your Side Ltd.'s staff will be required to apply for and achieve a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Personal Attributes of a Care Practitioner

You need to genuinely care for the welfare of other people as if they were your own family. You will have compassion, respect and a desire to help the individuals we support enjoy their lives, regardless of their condition.

You will need to have unconditional positive regard for all individuals you encounter. Many of our support staff naturally possess these attributes and find fulfilment in making someone smile or improving their day.

Often you are the only social contact an individual may have that day, so it is important that you can rapidly build a trusting relationship with them, their families and friends. Trust comes from being a confident and well trained support worker, which we will provide; the rest comes from you.

We want our individuals and their support carers, such as family members and friends, to feel they have a real shoulder to lean on. You need to have integrity and dedication to meet our high expectations for the support individuals deserve.

Your Commitment to Us and to the Individuals We Support

When you commit to supporting an individual you commit to people's lives. Without you, some people may be left at risk of having their safety or dignity compromised. Some people are unable to do things for themselves and rely on you. Their full time carers rely on you to feel safe taking a break.

For a carer to trust us with their loved one while they take a break is a huge responsibility. We must ensure we do not let them down, as their free time is crucial for their well being and the quality of care they can provide.

For individuals who live independently, you often become someone they grow close to and rely on. You need to commit to being there for them when you say you will and not let them down. They look forward to your visit and the time spent with you. You need to add value to their lives every time you encounter them, offering support, friendship and often their only contact with their communities.

Summary of the Role of a Care Practitioner

The role of a Care Practitioner is to assist people within the comfort of their own homes and occasionally take individuals out into the community or to appointments.

You will report to and communicate with the manager during your working day. The role of a Care Practitioner is varied but can be summarised as carrying out tasks that might usually be done by a relative or a close friend, performed in a trained, professional, and knowledgeable way.

You will be aware of the personal needs and requirements of the individuals you support, communicating successfully with the individual, their family, friends and other healthcare professionals.

You also have the responsibility of alerting your manager to any changes or concerns regarding the individuals or their carers' condition and well being. You will be required to keep an accurate record of each home support visit.

The type of support you provide will be unique to the person you are supporting and will vary. Some of the duties you may be asked to support with include:

Personal Care

• Help with getting up and ready for the day or settling in for the night, washing, bathing and toileting.

Practical Support

• Domestic tasks such as laundry, cleaning, tidying, shopping, preparing and cooking meals and taking people to shops, doctors or social events.

Medication Administration

• You will be accountable for the administration of medications for individuals, including varied medication in different forms, catheter and stoma care. This also includes the responsibility of reporting errors and medication concerns.

Specialised Care

• Supporting people with more complex needs such as end of life care, acquired brain injury or long term conditions like dementia.

Emotional Support

• Regardless of the physical assistance provided, the emotional support and connection people have with their care and support workers often make the biggest difference.

Person Specification Qualifications

• Willing to work towards the completion of the Care Certificate.
• Willing to work towards QCF 2 within six months of employment.

Essential

• Genuine care, compassion and respect for others.
• Ability to display empathy and warmth.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Good communication skills.
• Good planning skills.
• Good timekeeping.
• Understanding of the role, or previous care experience.
• Ability to follow instructions.
• Own transport.
• Flexible availability to match customer needs.

Key Competencies

• Attend all customer calls on time.
• Understand the importance of each home support visit.
• Cope professionally with emergency and difficult situations.
• Communicate effectively with others.
• Maintain high standards of home support provision.
• Complete training on time and to industry standard.