Senior Health Care Assistant

Ami Group - The Knoll Unit and Ami Court Unit; Newsham; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Ami Group is seeking a senior care shift leader to run the care shift across Ami Knoll and Ami Court units. The role focuses on delegating care, responding to nurse alarms, and escalating concerns to the nurse on duty or manager while supporting care assistants under supervision.

The post involves overseeing care plans, ensuring safety, and maintaining daily records. A Level 2/3 health and social care qualification plus Care Certificate or willingness to obtain them are required.

Qualifications

• Level 2 or 3 health and social care qualification (or equivalent).
• Care Certificate completed, or willing to complete within an agreed timeframe.
• Training in safeguarding adults, infection prevention and control, moving and handling, health and safety, and basic life support.

Responsibilities

• Run the shift, organise care staff and delegate care per residents’ needs and staffing levels.
• Answer nurse alarm calls promptly and escalate to the nurse on duty or manager as needed.
• Respond to emergencies and summon nursing staff or the manager; call the GP or ambulance when required.

Skills

Compassion

Communication

Respect & dignity

Care planning

Education

Level 2/3 health & social care qualification

Care Certificate

Tools

Electronic care records

Job description

This senior post runs a care shift at The Knoll and Ami Court units, two units within Ami Group's care homes. The work centres on delegating care, answering nurse alarm calls and escalating concerns to the nurse on duty or manager, while supporting care assistants under nurse supervision. The homes provide nursing, residential, dementia, rehabilitation and palliative care, so the role covers several client groups. A Level 2 or 3 health and social care qualification and the Care Certificate, or a commitment to complete it, are required.

What the job involves

• Run the shift, organising care staff and delegating care according to residents' needs and staffing levels
• Answer nurse alarm calls promptly, assess each situation and upscale to the nurse on duty or manager as needed
• Respond to emergencies, summoning nursing staff or the manager and calling the emergency GP or an ambulance when needed
• Provide care in line with care plans under the direction of the manager and nursing staff
• Help residents with activities they can no longer manage alone, encouraging independence while protecting dignity
• Carry out regular checks on residents and the environment day and night to maintain safety standards
• Oversee care assistants following personalised care plans and encouraging them to contribute to plan development and reviews
• Contribute to updating and reviewing care plans with residents and their representatives, and complete daily records
• Report changes or deterioration in residents' health or general condition to the nurse on duty or manager
• Administer prescribed medication under the home's medication policies
• Assist residents who need reassurance or help, including providing drinks and refreshments
• Comply with health and safety and infection control rules and report actual or potential hazards

What’s required

Qualifications

• Relevant Level 2 or Level 3 qualification in health and social care, or equivalent
• Care Certificate completed, or willingness to complete within an agreed timeframe
• Relevant training in safeguarding adults, infection prevention and control, moving and handling, health and safety, and basic life support

Experience

• Previous experience working in a health or social care setting
• Significant experience providing person-centred care to individuals with varying care and support needs
• Experience supporting service users with personal care, mobility, nutrition, hydration and activities of daily living
• Experience working as part of a multidisciplinary or wider care team
• Experience recognising and escalating concerns about a service user's physical or emotional wellbeing
• Experience following safeguarding procedures and reporting concerns appropriately

Skills & knowledge

• Demonstrates compassion, dignity, respect and a commitment to promoting independence
• Communicates effectively with service users, relatives and colleagues, and works collaboratively within the care team
• Respects individual differences, cultural needs, beliefs and preferences
• Demonstrates reliability, integrity, confidentiality and appropriate professional boundaries
• Recognises changes in a person's condition and takes appropriate action, including escalating concerns
• Able to use electronic care records and other relevant digital systems

Other

• Willing to work additional hours where required by the service

Nice to have

• Evidence of ongoing learning and professional development
• Willingness to undertake additional training, including medication administration and other clinical or care competencies
• Experience supporting or mentoring junior care staff
• Experience contributing to care planning, monitoring changes in service users' needs and maintaining accurate care records
• Experience working in a senior or supervisory capacity