Role: Agency Healthcare Assistant
Company: Lucas Love Healthcare
Track Record:
TRACK RECORD
With over seven years’ experience as both a senior healthcare assistant and support worker, Claire has worked in a variety of settings including: mental health, learning difficulties, dementia and older peoples’ services.
A busy mum of two, she has been working as an agency healthcare assistant with Lucas Love Healthcare for over a year, while she studies social work full-time at Queen’s University.
6am
Working as an agency healthcare assistant gives me the flexibility to work hours around my busy life. It gives me an income to support me while I study, fits around my family life and ensures I keep my skills and training up-to-date. Agency working gives me the opportunity to work across multiple sites in Northern Ireland; no two days are ever the same. My days begin as early as 6am, when I get myself and the family ready for the day ahead.
I get up and take a hot shower, to set me up for the day. Then it is time to waken the children and enjoy some family time with Rachel (14) and Cameron (12) over a healthy breakfast. Following breakfast I take a few minutes to ensure the kids have everything they need for the day ahead; lunches, schools bags etc before I set off for my shift. Depending on where I am going, the travel time can differ and I need to plan this well in advance.
7.30am
I arrive at the home or support living site which I am working in. We receive a morning brief, and handover from the night staff. When I am on as a senior, I will start the medications; these are given periodically throughout the day at 8am, 12noon, 6pm and 10pm.
8am
Work starts with the residents or service-users wakening. Full personal care or support is given to assist with washing and dressing. This task can be unpleasant for those with learning difficulties or challenging behaviours; it is my job to ensure this is as pleasant as possible — engaging them by singing and encouraging them to participate as much as possible helps!
9am
Breakfast is served. Serviceusers and residents will either feed themselves or may require support. We encourage as much independence as possible for all service-users and residents.
11am
Time for a break. Following this, I will carry out daily tidying up tasks, including changing linen and tidying the bedrooms.
12 noon
I will spend time interacting with residents or service-users, chatting, reading the papers together, doing puzzles or knitting. All residents and services-users will be given a choice as to which activity they would like to do. Lunch will then be given and those who require support will be assisted. 2pm For residents who are capable, it’s a trip to the shops or hairdressers for some pampering, or perhaps a shopping trip.
3pm
Personal care for each resident or service-user is priority throughout the day. For example some service- users may require assistance with personal hygiene needs and visits to the bathroom. Afternoon tea is usually around this time, hopefully with some nice buns!
5pm
Tea-time for the residents or service-users. This will usually be a light meal, as larger meals are given at lunch-time and support is given again to those who need it.
7pm
Some residents or serviceusers attended clubs or religious organisations — on occasion, I may assist them to do so. It is at this part of the day when everyone begins to relax and watch TV. It can be a long day for some and they start to become tired.
8.30pm
I will provide a light supper and interact with residents, chatting about their day and if they were out, how it was.
9.30pm
Residents and service-users have started to go to bed. I will assist and support with personal care, including dressing and washing before bed. Some people like to use this time to choose their outfits for the next day. I feel it’s very important for the service-user to see a friendly face at bedtime. Some have their prayers written down and I will help them to read these. It is the best feeling in the world when they thank you at the end of the night.
10pm
Typically I get home around 10pm, change straight out of my uniform and take a shower. Then it is time to organise the kids’ lunches, PE kits and all the other things us mums do to prepare our teenagers each day. After a 16-hour day, I take some time to unwind and relax with a nice cup of tea, a snack and some light reading before bed.