Independence Assistant (Homecare Support Worker)

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Job overview

We are looking for flexible, enthusiastic and caring individuals interested in working as part of a multi disciplinary team providing short term care support at home. This care support is provided to those following a hospital admission or having difficulty managing their daily activities at home. The overview of the job is:

• An integral part of the IIT, providing short term, planned programs of support to enable daily living within a person’s own home, focusing on the aim of improving a person’s function through enablement and rehabilitation
• To provide regular feedback and escalate any concerns to co-ordinators and trigger intervention from wider multi-disciplinary team as required
• Work alone in the community under the joint supervision of the Independence Co-ordinating Officers and Therapy staff, working closely with nursing and therapy staff following the assessment of adults who have experienced a decline in independence.
• Promote independence for service users, enabling them to live in the least restrictive environment whilst ensuring they receive the necessary care and treatment and ensuring their safety and wellbeing.

**Please note closing date is indicative, advert may close early without notice if there are a high number of applications**

Main duties of the job

You will have good communication and problem solving skills. Basic IT Skills are also required.

You will be supported by Independence Co-ordinating Officers, and Therapy staff, working closely with nursing and social work staff.

We are offering 18 hours per week permanent contracts for weekday morning and weekday evening with additional hours available according to service need.

All Independence Assistants receive regular training and 1-2-1 supervision and there are opportunities to complete key competencies to complement your learning.

Working for our organisation

Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a high performing and flourishing organisation serving the population of Hackney, East London, The City and beyond.

We are extremely proud of the fact that Homerton Hospital has recently attained the highest possible rating of "Outstanding" from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Our integrated Trust provides comprehensive hospital and community health services for its local population and a range of specialist services for a wider group of patients. In addition, the Trust manages services out of St Leonard's Hospital and the Mary Seacole Nursing Home.

Homerton aims to ensure equality and value diversity, and we are committed to inclusion for all of our staff. This is reflected in our policies, procedures and People Plan. All of our staff are expected to embody our Trust values at all times.

We are also committed, through our Fair Recruitment Standards, to ensuring all applicants are treated fairly.

Homerton has a proud tradition of supporting and developing its staff, including its well regarded and valued nursing community, and all staff are able to take advantage of a great range of benefits.

Homerton is proud to have been included on the HSJ & Nursing Times Best Places to Work list.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience, and knowledge required. For both documents, please view the attachment/s on this page.

The person specification below is not the full person specification but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.

Person specification

Qualifications

• NVQ level 3 in Healthcare or equivalent experience

Other

• Able to remain calm under pressure
• Able to manage effectively verbal aggression from service users, families and the risk of physical aggression
• Demonstrating understanding of Trust Values

Knowledge

• An understanding of the NHS and Social Care, especially community based services
• Knowledge/understanding of confidentiality issues
• Knowledge of and understanding of promoting independence

Experience

• Experience of work in the NHS or Local Authority or experience in an equivalent health care provider
• Experience of working in a service user centred, goal orientated way

• Experience of working with people with physical challenges

Skillls and abilities

• Demonstrate an understanding of why Health & Safety should be incorporated into service delivery
• Work on own initiative and work unsupervised
• Deliver high standards of personal care and assistance
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Follow written and verbal instructions as according to Care / Reablement Plan
• Observe and report the condition of the service user
• Assess risks and potential hazards before undertaking tasks
• Respect the cultural, racial and religious diversity of service users
• Recognise the needs of service user/relatives carers
• Travel across the Hackney Borough to undertake role

General Guidance for Applicants

Please ensure that you read the "Guidance Notes On Submitting An Application" under "Additional Documentation" before completing your application.

Please note: we reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.

We offer a range of flexible working options that enable you to balance your work and personal life, including part-time, compressed hours, remote working and job-shares.

If you are interested in joining our team, please let us know your preferred working pattern in your application, and we will consider all requests for flexible working and try to accommodate them wherever possible.

Please note that secondment arrangements will be considered for any fixed term positions, with the agreement of the existing line manager.

We are committed to equal opportunities, and have been approved as a Disability Confident Employer.