Organisation: The Somme Nursing Home
Post: Care Assistant
Hours: Full Time Day Duty / Night Duty/ Bank
Reports to: Nurse in charge
Salary: £13.15 per Hour
Location: The Somme Nursing Home, 121 Circular Road Belfast BT4 2NA
Contract Type: Permanent
Job Closing Date: 29th July 2025
The Somme Nursing home is a charity providing treatment and quality care for service and ex-service persons since 1914. It is registered as a general category nursing home with the Regulation & Quality Improvement Authority. A home that is light and spacious with 50 ground floor single en-suite beds. A home that is conveniently located on the Circular Road, a semi-rural setting off the Holywood Road, a quiet, leafy residential area creating an atmosphere of tranquillity.

Our Philosophy of Careincorporates the provision of a high-quality care delivery to our residents, which is tailoredto individual need and embraces the core values of the promotion of dignity, choice, and preservation of citizens rights, independence, self-determination and privacy.
We strive to create a homely environment, where love, compassion and understanding of the unique needs of the ex-service resident is paramount to our delivery of care. We encourage the involvement of both resident and the family to provide a holistically unique service in which residents needs are met.
Job Description

• To help in the care of the residents physical environment and in the general day-to-day activities of the home.
• To support the nursing staff in the total care of all patients.
• To share with other staff in meeting the personal care needs of residents in a way that respects the dignity of the individual and promotes independence.
• To help in the care of the residents physical environment and in the general day-to-day activities of the home.

Principal responsibilities

• To assist residents who need help with dressing, undressing, bathing and toileting.
• To help residents with mobility problems and other disabilities including incontinence.
• Help in use and care of aids and personal equipment.
• To care for residents temporarily sick and needing e.g. bed nursing.
• To help care for residents who are dying.
• To help in the promotion of mental and physical activity of residents through talking to them, taking them out, sharing with them in activities such as reading, writing, hobbies and recreations.
• To make and change beds; tidy rooms and do light cleaning; empty commodes.
• To feed residents who need help; help tidy and clear the dining room.
• Answer emergency bells, the door and the telephone; greet visitors.
• Read reports, take part in staff meetings and in the training activities as directed.
• To be aware of the health and safety statement.
• To clean sanitary and other equipment with particular attention to guidelines for the control of infection.
• To read and be familiar with home policies and procedures.
• Such other duties as may be required.

General Management Responsibilities

• The post holder will be expected to work with integrity, honesty and openness, probity, accountability and respect.
• Be aware of and adhere to all of the relevant Policies and Guidelines e.g. sickness reporting, absence management and the uniform policy
• Be aware of issues relating to information & clinical governance, Human rights, health & Safety and welfare of residents & colleagues
• The post holder will assist orientation and introduction of new members of staff to the home
• Promote and take part to a culture of continuous service improvement
• Communicate effectively and maintain productive working relationships amongst the team and with each other

General Responsibilities

• Promote a professional image at all time and to be accountable for own practice
• Use all opportunities to advocate Health Promotion and participate in resident education to promote caring for them at the home
• At all times provide a caring service and to treat those with whom they come into contact in a courteous and respectful manner
• At all times demonstrate practice which reflects the CORE values of compassion, openness, respect and excellence
• Comply with all instructions in regard to Infection Prevention and Control
• Demonstrate their commitment by their regular attendance and the efficient completion of all tasks allocated to them
• Carry out their duties and responsibilities in compliance with health and safety policy and statutory regulations
• Adhere to equal opportunities policy throughout the course of their employment

Records Management

All employees of the Somme Nursing Home are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the home including resident/client, corporate and administrative records whether paper-based or electronic and also including emails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and the Data Protection Act 1998. Employees are required to be conversant with the homes policy and procedures on records management and to seek advice if in doubt.

Pay and Terms and Conditions

Salary

per annum (pro-rata for part-time)

Hours

33 hours paid per week/22 hours paid per week or Bank

Medical

Appointment will be subject to a successful pre-employment health assessment.

Holidays

28 days each year holidays pro rata

Pension

The post holder can participate in NEST pension scheme

Probationary Period

You will serve a probationary period of normally six months

Canvassing, either directly or indirectly, will be an absolute disqualification.

We will review this Job Description and it may include any other duties and responsibilities we determine in consultation with the jobholder. We do not intend it to be rigid and inflexible but rather to provide guidelines within which the jobholder works.

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION
Qualifications and/ or Experience

Essential Criteria/Competencies Required

• at least 6 months recent paid experience working within Care & Residential settings
• be willing to undertake and Access NI disclosure
• NISCC registered (or willing to register)

Method of Assessment

Application & interview

Professional abilities:

Qualifications and/ or Experience

• a caring nature and a desire to provide the following:
  High level of personal care to all service users
• Maintain privacy and dignity
• Ability to work in a team
• Good communication skills
• Flexible approach to their work
• Able to demonstrate skills appropriate for caring for vulnerable adults
• Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively

Method of Assessment

Interview

* Applicants please note:Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out above, using the information given on the application form. You should therefore address the requirements when completing the application form, as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. Appointments are subject to verification of appropriate qualifications.