Understanding Your Role.
I report to work in the duty room at the beginning of each shift. The rota is on the wall in the duty room so I can check which shifts I am working also if there are any shift changes.Annual leave - there is a folder in the duty room with the annual leave forms.If I wish to book annual leave I fill in the form and hand the form to the care manager.I check the blue diary to see if the holiday has been granted.Calling in sick – early shift by 6.00 -late shift by 11.00 b .Breaks - 10 minutes in the morning but this is up to the discretion of the team leader and half hour lunch unpaid.Timesheets are in the timesheet folder in the duty room .I fill the timesheet in weekly and total my hours weekly . At the end of the month I total all the weekly hours to get my monthly hours and fill in the box at the end of the sheet and sign the sheet.Pay slips - I go the office and sign for my pay slip monthly .Second employment - you are not allowed to have a second job whilst working at LCD.Staff handbook received on induction.Expenses - I can ask Sue for a form from to claim back any expenses.line management - on my induction a received a chart lay out of the line management .job description I received when I did my induction with Ann on the first day .The signing in book is in the entrance hall as I enter the building .I sign in when I arrive and sign out when I leave.
Your personal development
I meet with my mentor Jeanette monthly to discuss any problems ,support or further training I need regarding my role.Also receive support from the care manager Ann.I also receive feedback from my mentor and the care manager regarding my work.Probation period= 3months and completing the induction and the care certificate ,I have kept a folder of the courses I have attended .
Duty of care
There is a legal obligation to safeguard others from harm while they are in your care ,using your services ,or exposed to your activities.We have a duty to provide as best service possible to the residents and work safely and ethically..Day to day responsibilities -work lists are pinned on the large board in the duty room . Support offered to staff - sue runs the staff association also LCD have a counselling service available to staffs .Incidences are reported to the team leader in charge on that shift .Incidence forms are filled in ,they are found in the duty room. If there is a behaviour problem with one of the residents a form called behaviour log sheet can be found in the PCP. Regarding a difficult situation with a member of staff ,I would speak to the team leader or Ann care home manager
Equality and Diversity
Equality is to offer opportunity to all, give every individual a chance to achieve their potential ,free from prejudice and discrimination.Inclusion - all people should freely ,openly and without pity accommodate any person with a disablility with restrictions or limitations of any kind.Residents should be offered support where needed. Be offered the same choices as anyone else . and encouraged to take part in day to day activites.Discrimination might occur through unfair treatment towards an individual- through religion, race, disability, ,gender,age .If I saw any discrimination taking place I would intervene and report it to the care manager .It is important to communicate with others,respect the conviction of others about food,dress,treat everyone with dignity and respect.Be sensitive and courteous,avoid imposing ourselves and our views on individuals .in the work place it is a legal requirement to adhere to certain practises , that ensure discrimination is eliminated ,and expectations of equality are always met .
Work in a person centered way .
When I started at LCD I read through the PCP, to have an understanding of the residents and their history. PCP also informed me of their likes ,dislikes ,what to do if they are upset , How to care for them.I also received a one page profile of the residents in my induction.I shadowed shifts for three weeks .Any concerns I may have regarding a resident I would raise that to the team leader in charge of the shift.If I notice a change in in a resident I would let the team leader know straight away..It is important not to take risks regarding the residents.
Promoting dignity – knocking the door before entering,residents using the loo with the door closed,giving residents a choice,treating all residents with kindness,humanity respect and compassion..
Environmental factors- lighting ,noise,temperature, and odours.ask the individual if they want to change their environment to make them comfortable.
If an individual is in pain or discomfort the signs wouls be doulbling in pain, gritted teeth,pale complexion, sweating, crying, becoming quiet,withdrawn,aggressive,solied clothes /bed linen.
Person centred values
Privacy =everyone has a right personal space .also respect residents personal information- not share it with others
Dignity
Treating the residents with dignity and respect ,value their ethical and moral beliefs.
Respect
Believing and showing the individual has importance.recongnising their opinions,and feelings.
Partnership
Working with an individual ,families and co workers
Communication
The some of ways we communicate are by talking , silence, gestures, sign language ,braille,body language , facial expressions, eye contact and written . At LCD we use the diaries ,communication book, PCP’s and handover as communication aids .The PCP’S are in the large brown cupboard in the duty room.Supervison and mentoring is done by my mentor Booking transport- the manager books the transport for the residents . In the duty room there is a booking in form on the wall to book the vechicle /bus use.Training bullentins and Staff information – notice board outside staff room.Notice board outside staff room .,outside office, outside the kitchen and duty room .Taking and leave messages - yellow pad by the telephone in the duty room.
When I was assisting a resident to eat at lunch time.I was instructed by the team leader not to place too much food on to the spoon ,as the resident was prone to choking . So it was important I listened and understood what I had been asked to do.
Barriers to communication- attitude,limited use of technology,bodypositioning, Emotions,physical,poor body language,lack of privacy, and stereo typing. spoken/Verbal communication=encompasses any form of communicaton involving words, spoken,written,or signed.
Non verbal=body language,gestures,facial expressions ,eye contact, posture
Privacy and dignityWe should understand privacy and confidentiality , not gossip about residents .Speak to them with respect and encourage independence .Meal times cut up food for those who need it and assist them where needed .Offer the residents choice of food .When they have a bath , cover them up whilst go to the bath . Close door and blinds when using tolilet.If the resident requested a female carer , make this available to them.Have a helpful attitude , be conscientious .knock the room door before entering .Not over caring -giving the resident the right to make choices, respect their decision .We should give residents space where and when needed .As a support worker we should listen to the residents and allow them to be an active partner in their own care rather than being passive .
Fluids and nutrition
It is important that we give residents food that is safe to eat and that they have all the nutrition that they need.Residents need to be supported at meal times given aprons ,the correct cutlery and serviettes to clean their mouth afterwards. Residents need to be encouraged to drink. Drinks need to be offered regularly.Drinks should be in easy reach for those with restricted movement /mobility.It is important to check the care plan to understand their dietary needs.Providing nutrition and hydration should be carried out in a person centred way.We do this by using the care plan.food provided should take into account cultural preferences,health conditions,and allergen advice.
Dementia and cognitive issues
If a residents condition changes ,the support worker needs to record the information and pass it on to the team leader / care manager.The support worker needs to be aware of cognitive issues such a dementia,amnesia, etc.The support worker needs to show compassion and understanding.
Safeguarding Adults
Adult safeguarding is the way of working and thinking that protects adults with care and support needs from abuse ,harm or nelegect.Reducing the likelihood of abuse by promoting person centered care,treating all allegations of abuse or harm seriously,training staff on safeguarding adults,,be open and clear about how they look out for each residents well being.A support worker should respond to suspected abuse by reporting to the care manager.In an emergency situation you need to take action to protect the safety and well being of the victim of abuse.If a residents tells you they have been abused ,you need to record what the person has said,.the report should be factual, use their own words do not write your own views.the report should be signed and dated .If abuse or unsafe practise has taken place it needs to be dealt with quickly and efficiently.Information about the safety and welfare of an individual must be shared with the manager.If the management fail to deal with it you may have to take matters further.-to the head of the organisation , care quality commission,the police,or social worker.
Safeguarding children
If a child or young person is being abused you should refer your concerns to the manager and the police or childrens social care .
Basic life support
Firstly call for help dailing 999 for ambulance.basic life support – initial assessment,airway maintenance, CPR,.If the casualty is unconscious we need to establish if they are breathing normally or not. By opening and maintain the airways.
Health and safety
Risk assessments are found in the PCP’S in the brown cupboard in the duty room.
Observation of practical manual handling done whilst shadowing shift at the induction . Accident reporting - we fill in an incident report form detailing what happened time and date.To prevent the spread of infection preventive measures need to take place- good hand hygiene,safe disposal of waste, safe management of laundry,correct use of personal protective equipment.Clinical waste -soiled laundry in a red bag in the sluice room in red container , and pads, incontinence , in white bags in the yellow bin bags in the sluice room.gloves , aprons in the yellow bin bags in sluice room.

Sign in and out book in the entrance hall .
If fire evacuation Ask vistors who they come to see ,check with the residents that they are expecting guests and the manager also
Write faulty equipment in red book which is in the dining room for Chris (maintenance ). Put yellow floor signs up for spillages .
Handling information
It is the support worker responsibility to safe guard residents personal information.We need to be mindful of the confidentiality rights of residents and our co- workers.Information regarding the residents is found in the PCP’s.Diaries and communication books are used to relay day to day information about residents.We record the temperature of the staff fridge and the fridge in the dining room using the log book provided.Support workers have a duty to report unsafe or incompetent practise to the CQC.

Infection prevention and control
If you are ill you should speak to the manager before reporting to work.if you have diarrhoea or vomiting you should not go back to work until you are free from the symptoms 48 hours.
Personal hygiene- daily washing –shower/bathing essential to remove the microorganisms on your skin.Nails should be kept short and jewellery to a miniumn.Cuts should be covered with waterproof dressing.Disposable aprons should be worn so that your clothes do not become contaminated.changing your clothing daily reduces the risk of contamination being spread to the residents.Not biting nails, touching mouth,nose,and hair is good hand habits.Use foot operated bins rather than using your hands to open the bins.
Soiled linen /clothes should be in the red bag.yellow bags for the pads ,soiled baby wipes,catherer bags , gloves and aprons..black bags - every day paper.clinical waste disposal – yellow bags in the orange top large bin in the sluice room.When full it is taken outside to the bin area and placed in the wooden hut separate from other waste.
Handwashing-before and after touching a resident,after exposure to body fluids, and after removing gloves,after touching the area or objects surrounding the resident you are supporting .

PPE- = Personal protective equipment-your employer should provide disposable aprons,paper towels, and soaps and hand cleansing gels.The correct type of glove should be used to reduce the risk of cross contamination.PPE- should be worn when handling soiled linen as it can transfer on to clothing and skin,.We need to follow agreed ways of working to prevent the spread of infections.
Moving and handling aids
The residents are weighed each month in physio ,this is then recorded in their PCP’S.
The staff check the slings monthly .An outside company comes in every three months to check all the slings.The hoists are checks by the maintenance monthly , the hoists should be put back to charge after use.The physio are responsible for the maintenance of the wheelchairs,belts, brakes ,trays ,headrests,cushions,.The night staff clean the wheelchairs at night.The support workers need to ensure the wheelchairs are put on charge when not in use .Sleep systems – the hospital needs to be contacted if there are any problems regarding sleep systems.Any problems with faulty aids need to be reported to the care manager ,and put to one side with a note do not use .When moving residents on the bed a glide sheet should on the bed to help .The bed should be up to waist level so you do not have to bend you back too much whilst tending to the resident.
Attending people who use the service
Before attending to a resident the support worker needs to check there are wipes ,towels, and continence aids are to hand ,as these are not always in the room.When assisting a resident to wash, a light flannel should be used for the face and the top half of the body. The water should be changed as the lower half of the body is washed with a dark coloured flannel.Again with the towel one for the top half of the body ,and one for the lower half of the body.wet wipes should not be disposed of in the toilet,but in the small white bags then in in the yellow bin bag in the sluice room.Check with the residents weather the use soap on their face as they may have sensitive skin.Whilst assisting with washing observation should be made for marks or breaks on the skin.skin need to be dryed properly with clean towel.shaving ask the resident before if like assistance with shaving .Residents have their own nail clips.support worker need to ask the residents if the they require assistance cleaning teeth. The families or key worker will buy the toiletries for the residents .
Bathing /showering ask the resident what they would prefer .In the PCP ‘s there is a sheet to record the temperature of the water also stating weather the resident has had a bath or shower and hairwash .If a resident refuses to have a bath or shower this needs to be recorded in the PCP,s .Hair washing -ask the residents first before the starting also ask if they would like conditioner on their hair and how they would like it styled.

Continence aids
An incontinence nurse comes in monthly to sort out the sheaths/coveens sizes,pads .Some residents buy their own pads ,some pads are from NHS.Sheaths/conveen ,pads, catheter bags are disposed of in a white bag then in the yellow bag in sluice room.When dealing with conveen,pads,incontinence sheet you need to wear gloves.Catheter bags - removing ensure valve is shut ,so no leakage.When attaching the night bag ensure the fluids are running freely into the bag place bag in a plastic basin under the bed.In the day time ensure catheter is attached to leg with leg straps and valve is closed.
General cleaning
The sluice room , shower trolley ,bathroom and ensuites are cleaned by the domestic staff Support staff need to leave the bedrooms tidy, beds to be made up .The sluice room is tied each day by the support staff –bins emptied taken out to refuse hut,gloves are restocked .Stock is kept in the room opposite the staff room upstairs.laundry is put away by staff in the afternoon, each basket has room number on with the laundry.Dining area – after breakfast,lunch,supper table need to be wiped with sanister spray and clean dish cloth , any spillages cleared up.The domestic staff sweep and mop the dining room floor daily.The dishwasher in the kitchen is loaded with dirty cups after the night time drinks are done by the support staff. Beds and bedrooms
The sheets are changed when they are soiled , and when the residents has a bath/shower.Soiled linen is placed in red bags .The red bags is put in the red cloth bag in the sluice room.Beds – brakes should be on unless moving the bed .The beds should be waist height when assisting residents, once finished the bed should be lowered.
All beds have slide sheets.Some beds have air matresses for people who suffer from pressure sores.Bedrails –risk assessments are done to see weather to have them or not.If there are no bed rails it is by the residents choice.Support workers should leave rooms tidy, bed made ,change sheets if needed , put toiletries away,sling away, hoist in charge ,call bell accessible.Gloves removed put in the yellow bin bag in the sluice room check everything tied before leaving.

equipment Nurse call –accept calls ,reset and emergency call can be found on the wall next to the bed.Residents have a buzzer around their neck to press if they need assistance,along the main corridor and duty room grey boxes on wall indicating which room needs assistance.
The electric front door is coded.Residents have a blue tooth which automatic opens the door.The main phone is in the duty room and kitchen dial 9 for outside line.
In the duty room there is a list by the phone with the phone codes for transfer.The cordless phone is used by the team leaders when they are waiting for an emergency call from the doctors.
Support in the community
If the resident has an appointment a copy of the mar sheet is taken and appointment letter .Ensure the right wheel chair is used to transport residents.The resident needs to take the blue badge in case of clamping.
Relation ships
The support worker should not become too close to the resident.Support workers should not promise something can not deliver.Support worker should not join social network eg facebook with residents.Key working needs to be records in the PCP’s
Fire
Causes of fire in care services;damaged and dangerous equipment,faulty smoke alarms,untrained staff and cigarettes.Prevention = regular fire safety training for staff , fire drills to be carried out at least twice a year,ensure all equipment that is faulty is replaced .dangerous throw away , smoke alarms checked,no smoking in building but in a designed arear outside.fire quipment should be checked monthly,extinguisher,smoke alarms,emergency lighting,fire blankets,fire doors, and magnetic retainers.
Ensure hallways and doors are not blocked .Ensure there is an evacuation plan in place and practiced regularly.Safety systems should be in place such as smoke detectors,sprinkles.Fire Doors closed to prevent fire spreading.
If there were a fire you go the fire panel box in the hallway opposite the reception.
/ teamleader will give instruction as to what to do next.Assist individuals to evacuate .close doors to contain smoke and fire. Go to .assembley point in the carpark.
Fire marshalls are, team leaders and will take control of situation and direct the staff.
The fire alarm box at the entrance hall has silence,reset ,call points.fire fighting equipment – operated by the fire marshalls .fire equipment along the corridors ,in the dining arera , kitchen.Any faults should be reported to Chris (maintenance) . The floor plan is outside the office under the fire system box, floor plan lets you no where the fire is .
To raise the alarm there are small red fire alarm box on the wall in the lounge and dining area,hallway to activate pressed button on them . All rooms have smoke alarms,which are checked monthly.We sign in and out so that there is a record of who is in the building in case of a fire. There is a no smoking policy ,if you smoke you need go to the smoking shelter outside.
Polices and procedures - contractor servicing recoreds, staff training records kept in the meeting room.I have not yet taken part in a fire drill.