Job Description – Specialist Carer
Role Purpose
To deliver safe, person-centred care and support to individuals with complex health and social needs, including epilepsy, post-transplant aftercare, learning disabilities, and visual impairment. The role involves supporting medical safety, encouraging independence, promoting social inclusion, and enhancing overall wellbeing while ensuring dignity, respect, and consistency of routine.
Key Responsibilities
Personal Care & Daily Living
- Assist with washing, dressing, and personal hygiene while encouraging independence where possible.
- Support mobility needs, including safe guiding techniques for visual impairment.
- Assist with healthy meal preparation, hydration, and dietary needs relevant to kidney transplant aftercare.
- Provide structured support to develop daily living skills (personal care, household routines, community access).
Medical & Clinical Support
- Administer prescribed medication, including immunosuppressants and other long-term treatments, in line with the care plan and agency policy.
- Provide support in epilepsy management, including recognising seizure activity and administering buccal rescue medication in line with emergency protocols.
- Monitor and promptly report any changes in health (e.g., signs of infection, transplant-related concerns, or seizure activity).
- Maintain infection control standards to protect immunosuppressed clients.
- Follow emergency procedures, contacting emergency services and family where appropriate.
Independence & Community Engagement
- Encourage participation in activities that build confidence and self-care skills.
- Support clients in accessing the community (e.g., outreach visits, social groups, arts and crafts, leisure activities).
- Promote social inclusion, ensuring the client maintains healthy relationships and community connections.
- Respect the importance of consistency and routine to reduce anxiety and encourage participation.
Record Keeping & Compliance
- Accurately complete care records, seizure logs, and medication administration records (MARs).
- Follow safeguarding, CQC, and agency procedures at all times.
- Protect confidentiality and adhere to GDPR.
Teamwork & Professional Standards
- Work collaboratively with families, healthcare professionals, and other support staff.
- Attend training, supervisions, and case reviews as required.
- Demonstrate patience, empathy, and adaptability in meeting complex needs.
- Promote equality, dignity, and respect at all times.
Essential Requirements
- Previous experience in care, ideally with clients who have epilepsy, learning disabilities including Spinal Injury, or long-term health conditions.
- Ability to remain calm in medical emergencies and follow care protocols.
- Good communication and record-keeping skills.
- Compassionate, patient, and committed to person-centred care.
- Flexibility to work shifts, including evenings nights and weekends.
Desirable Requirements
- NVQ/QCF Level 2 or 3 in Health & Social Care (or working towards).
- Training or experience in epilepsy management, including rescue medication.
- Experience supporting individuals with visual impairments.
- First Aid and CPR training.
Training & Development
All carers will receive:
- Mandatory training (safeguarding, medication, infection control, moving & handling, first aid).
- Complex Care needs interventions such as PEG feeding
- Specialist training (epilepsy awareness and rescue medication, visual impairment support, infection control for immunosuppression, learning disability awareness).
- Ongoing supervision and professional development opportunities.
Benefits
- Competitive pay rates.
- Paid travel and mileage (where applicable).
- Ongoing training and career progression.
- Supportive supervision and wellbeing support.
- 24 hour Counselling Service by BUPA Service