At the age of 18,and studying for my A-Levels,I knew that I needed a job.
I also knew that I had to start saving,as I'd bought myself a holiday for after my results and needed some spending money....quickly!
I live in a village,just out of Town and needed a job that would be close to home,as ... Read review
Advantages: Meet lovely people,rewarding. Disadvantages: Cleaning up vomit,etc,early mornings,rates of pay.
...any drugs prescribed for clients health issues.
I'll get a half hour break after this.
Usually between 1pm and 2pm,the home is silent,as the majority of clients will choose to sleep after their meal.
Those that dont,usually amuse themselves,some will have visitors and some will go out for a walk with a Carer.
2.30 - 3pm.
This is when another tea trolley goes out.
Everyone is awash with tea ... .../>
This is a job thats made alot easier with two Carers.
3-4pm is usually a time where we play Bingo,where they win prizes,such as bubble bath and chocolate!
The residents really enjoy this,and those that dont want to play can decide what they want to do,for example listen to music or go for a walk round the village.
This may sound easy,but pushing a wheelchair for miles can take its toll!
At the age of 18,and studying for my A-Levels,I knew that I needed a job. I also knew that I had to start saving,as I'd bought myself a holiday for after my results and needed some spending money....quickly!
I live in a village,just out of Town and needed a job that would be close to home,as I didnt drive and the 3.60p single fare to Town was a bit of a con,so I immediately looked for a job,in my area.
I'd worked in pubs and even worked packing flowers for Marks and Spencers,but hated both of these with a passion. I'd also always enjoyed looking after people,whether this was Children ,Disabled people or The Elderly.
So,I rang up the local Residential Home and applied for a job. The application process was pretty straightforward,this involved dropping in for a C.V,filling it in and anxiously waiting!
When I was accepted for a job as a Carer,I was invited for an informal chat,where basically I spoke with the manager,was told the basic hours I would be working and told to tone down my jewellry!
The company understood my studying situation and said whatever hours I would like,I could do. At the time I settled for 15 hours a week. I must state that I personally work as RESIDENTIAL and not NURSING,where there is a vast difference.
So what does being a Carer involve?
Basically you are there to assist Eldely Clients in their day to day needs and generally trying to make their lives as enjoyable as possible. This involves: Getting them up in the morning. Helping them to wash. Helping them dress. Playing games with them Chatting to them Bathing them Taking them to the toilet Assisting them to the table Feeding them (if needed),and this is to name a few.
Do you need qualifications? Well to an extent no,however there are certain requirements,for example you must be 18 or over to become a Carer and you also must have a CRB check. A CRB check for those of you that are not aware is basically a Criminal Record check. It stands for Criminal Records Bureau,and is basically there to check that you dont have a history of violence or anything untoward. When I first became a Carer,a CRB check was obligatory,however now,I have an advanced CRB check,which I think is now legal practice.
Rates of pay: This is different through different homes,there is obviously 'The Minimum Wage',which makes sure you get enough,however some places that are Council run,can pay a basic carer as much as Ten pounds an hour. I'm personally on 5.60p,however this is soon to go up as I have just done an NVQ2 in Care. Wages generally go up 0.30p per hour per NVQ or qualifiaction that you gain. However some qualifications dont benefit you financially but will look good on a C.V. For example: Infection control
Do you start working straight away? Not really. You'll find that your on a probation period,where they watch your work and your suitability to the job,this is usually 3 months long,but to be honest,everyone I've seen come through the doors has loved it so much that they've always been suitable to stay on. Your generally shown the ropes and will be given light work like serving dinners and helping more able clients to wash and dress etc. You cannot operate a hoist until you have participated in a MOVING and HANDLING Course. This is basically to show that you know how to operate a hoist safely,without putting anyone at harm. A Hoist is basically a contraption that lifts up a client,so that they can be moved without hurting themselves or you. However as soon as you have taken part in this course your good to go!
Hours: these are completely up to you,a usual shift for me is either 7am till 2 in the afternoon,2pm till 9pm or a double shift,which is 7 in the morning till 9 at night. Personally I prefer a double as you get more days off a week,and get it done in one day. I usually work 35 to 42 hours a week.
Alot of people look at you strangely when you say the job you do. Yes,it does involve wiping bottoms occasionally,but im always armed with my apron and gloves! Unfortunately,when one gets a bug,they all tend to get it,which means lots of bottoms to clean and you yourself usually end up with the bug too!
Is it rewarding and hard? Yes and Yes. Its extremely rewarding to see a person enjoying their life and the company of others. I really enjoy playing games with them as you can see their minds working and being stimulated,which is something they wouldnt have been able to do if they were living alone,unhelped. You also get a chance to meet some amazing people,with amazing stories,often to do with the war and even the first world war. Its also extremely hard,especially if you have an abusive client,who likes to kick you,pinch you and scratch you. In situations like that,you realise that not just anyone can do the job,as some may be tempted to shout back at them Whereas to be a Carer you must remain pacient and calm.
So a basic day for me would be:
7am..Get to work and have a handover. This involves the Deputy telling you about each resident and if there are any problems we should be made aware of. Then you should get each resident up in turn,and if they are allocated a bath then you will bath them (with their permission) You will be allocated which part of the home to get up and one person will be allocated to serve breakfast. The residents have a choice of breakfast in the dining room or in their room.They also have a vast choice of food for breakfast. This will continue till everyone is catered for,no matter what time it is. This is a very tireing and exhausting job,first thing in the morning as with 40 people,theres always going to be a few that cause trouble! This is also the time when the Deputy will administer drugs out,as they generally need to be taken at meal times.
9am.By now most residents are fed,watered and happy. We will assist some of them out for a smoke,some will watch T.V,some will go back to the peace of their room,while the others will sleep. This is completely their decision. After this i'll get a 20 minute break
If any residents want to,they can play games,listen to music or read in this time. This is called 'Slack time' where most jobs are done and we get to interact with the residents.
10.30.A tea trolley will go round,where residents have a choice of Tea,Coffee or Juice and dependant on their dietary needs i.e Diabetes,they will have a choice of biscuits. This job usually takes two carers.
Dinnertime: Residents will be escorted by us to the tables and some will eat in their rooms. There are usually about 12 trays to go out to rooms and we will take them up to the residents rooms,while a few Carers will provide food for the clients in the dining room The whole process of feeding particular clients,helping them back to their chairs and cleaning up can take up to an hour. Again,the Deputy will administer any drugs prescribed for clients health issues. I'll get a half hour break after this.
Usually between 1pm and 2pm,the home is silent,as the majority of clients will choose to sleep after their meal. Those that dont,usually amuse themselves,some will have visitors and some will go out for a walk with a Carer.
2.30 - 3pm. This is when another tea trolley goes out. Everyone is awash with tea and coffee and this job usually takes about 30-45 minutes. This is a job thats made alot easier with two Carers.
3-4pm is usually a time where we play Bingo,where they win prizes,such as bubble bath and chocolate! The residents really enjoy this,and those that dont want to play can decide what they want to do,for example listen to music or go for a walk round the village. This may sound easy,but pushing a wheelchair for miles can take its toll!
4pm By now its time for tea. Residents are escorted to the tables again and we will run any trays out. One Carer will have previously gone round with a menu to see what each client wants. This whole process again can take up to an hour. Again any drugs that need to be taken are given out.
After tea,we will have our break,where we get a well earned rest!
So,after our tea,up until 9 oclock,we'll generally get anyone ready for bed that requires it,and bath anyone that wants one. At roughly 7pm another tea trolley will go out,this time with Hot Chocolate or Horlicks. This time it only requires one carer as its all hands on deck after tea!
At the end of the day,we need to write a clients CARE PLANS. This is a folder all about the resident,we need to note what they did in the day,whether they had any unusual bowel movements,if they had a bath and if they were generally ok.
I've tried to compact this scedule,as i'm sure the majority of you have probably stopped reading by now! Theres alot more that goes on,such as constant toileting,but that goes on all day,so I cannot specify a time slot in my review.
All in all,I'd go for this job if: 1.You have infinate patience! 2.Your not a blabber mouth! (you cannot discuss any clients names or details etc apart from with staff at work) 3.You dont mind early mornings 4.You like the elderly 5.You dont mind cleaning up vomit and other items!! and you enjoy a job thats rewarding..to name a few.
Advantages: Good pay and prospects, Educational Disadvantages: Stressful, early mornings and late nights
The job role of a Health Care Assistant or Health Care Support worker as they are now known is a role like no other. Challenging to many and rewarding to all, working as part of a Hospital team can really open your eyes to the world around you. As a HCA your duties are to provide support and assistance to Health care professionals with nursing, domestic and general duties. Working as part of a varied and multidisciplinary team, the HCA position is ... ...I would dabble in the health care industry. However attracted by the idea of ‘pick your own hours’ and reasonable pay, I gave our hospitals nurse bank a try. HCA’s. I was surprised to find that the position of HCA requires no formal qualifications and no nursing experience what so ever. All I needed to join was medical clearance, and a Police check or CRB check (criminal record Beuro) which was easily obtained from my GP. In order ...
the_evil_aku 17.07.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Health Care Assistant
Advantages: Fantastic people, old people ARE cute, satisfaction, first rung on the ladder. Disadvantages: Minimum wage, smelly stuff, death.
...in Care,
Health and Safety,
Fire Safety,
Heath and Hygiene,
Tackling Abuse,
Care of Vulnerable Adults,
Behaviour Management, First Aid,
Aggression Management,
Wound care,
AND Pressure care
All that lot in 2years and I haven't paid a penny!!! The company I work for paid for the whole lot! I have been offered the opportunity to do my NVQ Level3 in care which would enable me to apply for a senior Care Assistant's job (20p wage rise and lots ... ...like?
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I work in a Nursing Home. That means that we have clients who have Nursing needs although we do have Residential clients too. The other kinds of home environment would be Residential homes i.e. residential clients only, there are no Nursing staff required. Or an E.M.I. This is a very specific type of home environment designed for the Elderly Mentally Infirm.
A Nursing client is someone who needs more assistance and more ...
nereesa85 02.11.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Health Care Assistant
Advantages: Phenomonal job satisfaction. Disadvantages: can be quite upsetting at times.
...in a ‘multi disciplinary team’.
Health Care Assistant’s probably have more contact with patients than any other worker in the hospital.
There are a variety of duties expected of a H.C.A including; *assisting patients with activities of daily living i.e. washing; Eating; Drinking; Mobility etc where necessary and dependant on individual patients needs.
*Monitoring vital sign’s etc, mainly blood pressure; pulse; respirations; blood sugars, temperature, ... ...common sense.
As a Health Care Assistant, you can complete NVQ’s, up to NVQ3. These are workplace based qualifications (generally available to most workplaces these days). As each NVQ is completed the pay increases … The salary is approximately 11,000 (with no NVQ) – 13,800 (when completed NVQ3) per annum.
With each NVQ completed, responsibility increases; allowing you to do such things as dressings; taking bloods; inserting canuler’s; performing ...
L0BSTER_QUADRILLE 23.04.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Health Care Assistant
Advantages: Getting to know these people and gaining their trust and friendship Disadvantages: Losing the eople we have cared for
...attempting an NVQ 2 in Health and Social Care which my company is financing. I must admit at 51 (not that old I know) I am finding it hard to re start to study again after so many years.
We are not medical people, and can only remind clients to take their medication, and it certainly isn't all about wiping bums etc although that does come into it sometimes. And Of course one day these people will leave us either for a resedential home or in death.I ... ...it when it is bound to happen We will all be old and in need of some care one day. I would hope there would be some one out there like me to help me stay in my own home for as long as possible.
I don't know whether this review will help anyone considering this kind of work, or employng someone for their loved one. I have written it from my heart and as I see it really. ...
Alison3 03.11.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Health Care Assistant
Advantages: job satisfaction Disadvantages: hard work
...ill nursing home and a Health Care Assistant (HCA) on a urology unit and on the nurse bank, which meant working from ward to ward (medical, surgical, orthopaedic, elderly, gynaecological, ENT, outpatients the list goes on..) all before starting my nurse training and now qualifying (all last).
It is the role of the HCA that I am reviewing,
A HCA is a valued member of the Multi Disciplinary Team (MDT) who is trained at there own level NVQ 1 & 2. ... ...and female, cannulation, taking blood. Become apart of the link nurse team dealing with manual handling, tissue viability etc.
In the hospital I worked in the role of a HCA consists of firstly assisting pt in Roper, Logan and Tierney Activities of Daily Living (ADL’S) maintaining a safe environment, communicating, breathing, eating and drinking, eliminating, personal cleansing and dressing, controlling body temperature, mobilizing, working and playing, ...
NURSE_BETTY 26.04.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Health Care Assistant
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