FEMALE COMPLEX HEALTHCARE ASSISTANT - EPILEPSY AND COMPLEX CARE

Harmony Healthcare; Littlehampton; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Harmony Healthcare in Sussex is seeking a Female Complex Healthcare Assistant to provide 1:1 support to an adult woman living in her own flat. The role requires experience with complex care, epilepsy management and independence promotion.

You will monitor seizures, assist with medication and follow care plans, communicating clearly and patiently to ensure wellbeing and safety in day-to-day activities and social engagements.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting adults with learning disabilities.
• Experience supporting individuals with severe or complex learning disabilities.
• Knowledge and experience of epilepsy, including refractory epilepsy and seizure management.
• Confidence supporting medication administration and emergency medication, following appropriate training.
• Experience supporting individuals with visual impairment.
• Understanding of positive behaviour support plans and behaviour management strategies.
• Experience providing personal care.
• Knowledge of dysphagia and choking risks.
• Confidence supporting individuals with reduced mobility and falls risks.
• Good communication skills, patience and a compassionate approach.
• Ability to work independently while following care plans and clinical guidance.

Responsibilities

• Providing 1:1 support at all times in the service user's home and during agreed social activities.
• Monitoring seizure activity and responding appropriately in line with the epilepsy care plan.
• Supporting the administration of prescribed medication and emergency rescue medication, following training and care protocols.
• Following the positive behaviour support plan and recognising the difference between the service user's usual presentation, non-engaging behaviours and seizure activity.
• Providing personal care and support with daily living activities.
• Supporting safe mobility and transfers, including use of a walking frame where appropriate.
• Maintaining awareness of falls risks and promoting a safe home environment.
• Supporting eating and drinking in line with the dysphagia care plan and choking risk guidance.
• Communicating clearly and patiently, using simple language and short sentences.
• Allowing the service user time to process information and respond.
• Supporting communication using speech and her GoTalk 9 communication device.
• Supporting access to social activities using her allocated social hours.
• Monitoring wellbeing and reporting any changes or concerns appropriately.

Skills

Experience with complex care

Epilepsy knowledge

Personal care

Communication skills

Independent working

Patience

Job description

FEMALE COMPLEX HEALTHCARE ASSISTANT - EPILEPSY AND COMPLEX CARE

Location: Sussex (BN17) Pay: £17.00 per hour Monday to Friday, including holiday pay Weekend rate: £17.50 per hour, including holiday pay Hours: Full-time Shift pattern: 12-hour day and night shifts Day shifts: 8:30am-8:30pm Night shifts: 8:30pm-8:30am Working pattern: Monday to Sunday, including weekends

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are looking for a compassionate, reliable and experienced Female Complex Healthcare Assistant to provide 1:1 support to an adult woman living independently in her own flat.

The service user has complex clinical needs, including refractory epilepsy, severe learning disabilities, visual impairment and reduced mobility. She experiences frequent seizures and requires consistent, attentive support from carers who understand her individual presentation and can respond confidently to changes in her condition.

This is a rewarding opportunity for someone with experience in complex care who can provide safe, person-centred support while promoting the service user's independence, dignity and quality of life.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Providing 1:1 support at all times in the service user's home and during agreed social activities.
• Monitoring seizure activity and responding appropriately in line with the epilepsy care plan.
• Supporting the administration of prescribed medication and emergency rescue medication, following training and care protocols.
• Following the positive behaviour support plan and recognising the difference between the service user's usual presentation, non-engaging behaviours and seizure activity.
• Providing personal care and support with daily living activities.
• Supporting safe mobility and transfers, including use of a walking frame where appropriate.
• Maintaining awareness of falls risks and promoting a safe home environment.
• Supporting eating and drinking in line with the dysphagia care plan and choking risk guidance.
• Communicating clearly and patiently, using simple language and short sentences.
• Allowing the service user time to process information and respond.
• Supporting communication using speech and her GoTalk 9 communication device.
• Supporting access to social activities using her allocated social hours.
• Monitoring wellbeing and reporting any changes or concerns appropriately.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Previous experience supporting adults with learning disabilities.
• Experience supporting individuals with severe or complex learning disabilities.
• Knowledge and experience of epilepsy, including refractory epilepsy and seizure management.
• Confidence supporting medication administration and emergency medication, following appropriate training.
• Experience supporting individuals with visual impairment.
• Understanding of positive behaviour support plans and behaviour management strategies.
• Experience providing personal care.
• Knowledge of dysphagia and choking risks.
• Confidence supporting individuals with reduced mobility and falls risks.
• Good communication skills, patience and a compassionate approach.
• Ability to work independently while following care plans and clinical guidance.

ABOUT THE SERVICE USER

The service user lives in her own flat and receives 1:1 support throughout the day and night. She can communicate verbally, although her speech may be difficult to understand for people who are unfamiliar with her. She has also recently started using a GoTalk 9 communication device.

It is important that carers speak slowly, use simple language and short sentences, and allow her enough time to process information before responding.

She experiences frequent seizures and may sometimes display non-engaging behaviours that can be mistaken for seizure activity. Building familiarity with her usual presentation and following her positive behaviour support and epilepsy plans are essential.

TRAINING AND INDUCTION

You will be required to complete three days of package-specific training, including virtual and face-to-face sessions. Additional training, potentially up to five days, may be required depending on your experience and the Clinical Care Manager's assessment of your competencies.

SHADOW SHIFTS

You will be offered between three and five shadow shifts to help you become familiar with the service user's routines, communication, clinical needs and support plans. Shadow shifts are paid at a lower rate.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

We are looking for someone who is patient, observant, dependable and confident supporting adults with complex needs. You should be able to recognise changes in the service user's presentation, respond calmly to seizures and provide consistent, compassionate care.

If you have the relevant complex care experience and are looking for a rewarding full-time opportunity, we would love to hear from you