Health Care Assistant > Reviews (15)

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.

Hope this is helpful to someone out there!!