Support worker - Darland

Medway Community Healthcare; Gillingham; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading social enterprise in Gillingham as a compassionate support worker specializing in dementia care. This role offers flexible shifts and opportunities for professional development in a supportive environment. Ideal candidates will demonstrate empathy and effective communication skills while engaging with residents. Enjoy NHS-like benefits and a commitment to work-life balance.

Benefits

NHS-like perks

Choice of pension schemes

In-service training

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years dementia care experience.
• Skills in personal care, activities, moving and handling.

Responsibilities

• Assist the designated staff nurse in providing care.
• Participate in planning and evaluating care for elderly residents.
• Supervise new and junior staff.

Skills

Communication Skills

Decision-Making Skills

Understanding of Policies

Education

Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care

Job description

Main area: Dementia care Grade: Band 2 Contract: Permanent Hours: 37.5 hours per week (full to part-time roles available) Job ref: 813-154-0525-MH

Site: Darland House Town: Gillingham Salary: £24,169 pro rata Salary period: Yearly Closing date: 26/05/2025 23:59

Join Our Award-Winning Social Enterprise

• Renowned for high-quality care, ranked ‘Good’ by the CQC;
• Reinvests surplus into health, care services, and the community;
• Friendly, ambitious, innovative, and rewarding excellence;
• Offers superior benefits, including NHS-like perks and more;
• Demonstrates passion, dedication, and commitment from staff.

Job Overview

• Are you passionate about working with patients with dementia?
• Are you caring, treating residents with dignity, empathy, and warmth?
• Do you have good communication skills?

If yes, this is the role for you!

We seek compassionate support workers skilled in caring for residents with respect, dignity, empathy, and warmth. We offer full and part-time shifts, including nights, days, and weekends, with opportunities to develop skills in dementia care.

Main Duties

• Assist the designated staff nurse in providing care and engaging residents in activities like games, crafts, and gardening;
• Adhere to organizational values;
• Participate in planning, delivering, and evaluating care for elderly residents with dementia and challenging behaviors;
• Supervise new and junior staff.

Working for Us

Join a progressive social enterprise focused on patients and staff, with opportunities for shareholder status, service development, in-service training, supervision, and team support. We promote flexible working arrangements to support work-life balance.

Additional Information

• Informal visits available upon request;
• Choice of pension schemes: NHS or Scottish Widows;
• We encourage staff to be double COVID vaccinated for safety.

Detailed Job Responsibilities

Communication Skills: Build trusting relationships, communicate effectively with staff, residents, families, and external agencies.

Knowledge & Experience: Foundation degree in health and social care, minimum 2 years dementia care experience, decision-making skills, understanding of policies, and research in clinical practice.

Leadership & Supervision: Supervise support workers, manage resources, assist in home operations.

Planning & Organisation: Conduct assessments, support care plans, participate in multidisciplinary reviews, manage time effectively.

Clinical Skills: Provide interventions like phlebotomy, glucose monitoring, wound care, and maintain records.

Policy & Resource Management: Follow policies, manage budgets, ensure equipment safety.

HR Responsibilities: Performance reviews, staff relations, promote equality and diversity.

Information & R&D: Stay updated on care trends, participate in audits, promote service development.

Work Environment & Effort: Be prepared for physical, mental, and emotional demands, including exposure to distressing situations and physical effort.

Person Specification

• Basic understanding of dementia, disease progression;
• Experience in healthcare or community settings, with dementia patients;
• Skills in personal care, activities, moving and handling, risk assessments;
• Knowledge of MCH values.

We encourage diverse applications and guarantee interviews for disabled candidates meeting minimum criteria. We are committed to safeguarding vulnerable adults and children, and promoting an inclusive, respectful workplace.