The Health Care Support Assistant (HCSA)  is a key member of the Social Care Team responsible for the provision of a quality service to support older people in the community to remain in their own home for as long as possible .

KWW HCSS’s facilitate:

• transitioning from the Acute Sector to home
• promoting and maintaining independence to support the client to remain in their own home for as long as possible 

by the provision of a Personal Care Service to their clients which includes but is not limited to the following: 

• Bathing
• Showering
• Dressing/Assisting with dressing as required
• Oral Hygiene
• Shaving
• Hair care
• Toileting (emptying and cleaning of commode, urinal)
• Continence care
• Catheter care
• Assistance with aids provided
• Mobilising/Assisting with mobilising as required
• Assistance with feeding
• Bed making where care needs requires
• Prompting clients to take their prescribed medications
• Providing Nutritional Support 

Client specific duties will be assigned by the Home Help Manager in consultation with PHN Services and the client. The Home Help Manager will roster HCSA staff, as required in line with National Contractual arrangements and Legal Requirements. The HCSA will work as part of the local team, as assigned by their Line Manager. They will be rostered to work on a 5/7 basis Monday through to Sunday as required, which may necessitate working split-shifts.

Knowledge

Possess knowledge of:

• The service provided in the KWW HCSS’s
• Community care services
• The role of the Health Care Support Assistant in the community
• Care relating to the older person
• Care relating to persons with disabilities

Competencies

Demonstrate:

• Good communication/interpersonal skills
• Basic awareness of the Health Service structure
• Experience in a caring role
• Ability to function as part of a team
• Ability to relate satisfactorily with clients, families, carers and colleagues and maintain the confidentiality of the service
• Ability to communicate satisfactorily with colleagues, clients and  families
• Ability to carry out instructions and appreciate the importance of providing quality care for the clients
• Ability to plan and complete tasks allocated and to organise workload in a methodical manner and deal with the unexpected should it arise
• Flexibility regarding working assignments and/or arrangements
• Motivation to fulfil the role and contribute to improving the service
• The ability to work on one’s own initiative
• A kind, caring disposition and an understanding of the impact of stress on clients, families and carers during illness
• Commitment and reliability.