Location: Dementia / Nursing Home
Reports to: Senior Carer / Nurse in Charge / Registered Manager
Hours: Night shift, including weekends and bank holidays as required
Job Purpose
To provide high-quality, person-centred care and support to residents throughout the night, promoting their dignity, privacy, comfort, safety and independence. The Night Carer will support residents with dementia and nursing needs while working as part of the night care team and following individual care plans, risk assessments and the home's policies and procedures.
Main Duties and ResponsibilitiesPersonal Care
- Provide respectful and compassionate personal care according to each resident's individual needs and care plan.
- Assist residents with toileting, continence care, washing, changing and other personal care needs during the night.
- Support residents with repositioning and pressure-area care as identified in their care plans.
- Assist residents to maintain their dignity, privacy and choice at all times.
- Ensure residents are comfortable and appropriately positioned in bed.
- Assist with changing clothing, continence products and bedding when required.
- Observe and report any changes in residents' skin condition, mobility, continence or general wellbeing.
Dementia Care
- Provide reassurance and emotional support to residents living with dementia.
- Respond calmly and appropriately to residents who may become confused, distressed, anxious or unsettled during the night.
- Use appropriate communication techniques and follow individual dementia care plans.
- Recognise changes in behaviour and report concerns to the Senior Carer or Nurse in Charge.
- Support residents who wake during the night and may require reassurance, toileting, drinks or assistance to return to bed.
- Ensure residents are treated with patience, kindness and respect.
Night-Time Monitoring and Safety
- Carry out regular wellbeing and safety checks in accordance with individual care plans and the home's procedures.
- Check that residents are safe and comfortable in their rooms.
- Ensure appropriate safety equipment, such as sensor mats, crash mats, bed rails or safety gates, is used in accordance with the resident's risk assessment and care plan.
- Respond promptly to nurse call bells and other alerts.
- Monitor residents who are at increased risk of falls, pressure damage, wandering or other night-time risks.
- Report accidents, incidents, injuries, safeguarding concerns or changes in condition immediately.
- Ensure bedrooms and communal areas remain safe, clean and free from avoidable hazards.
Nutrition and Hydration
- Offer drinks and refreshments to residents who are awake or require them during the night, in accordance with their care plan.
- Support residents with eating and drinking where required.
- Follow individual dietary requirements, food textures and fluid recommendations.
- Monitor and report concerns regarding poor appetite, reduced fluid intake or difficulty swallowing.
- Record food and fluid intake where required.
Clinical and Nursing Support
- Observe residents for changes in their physical or mental wellbeing and promptly report concerns to the Nurse in Charge.
- Follow individual care plans, risk assessments and instructions provided by nursing staff.
- Support residents with prescribed night-time care and treatments where trained and authorised to do so.
- Record and report changes such as pain, breathing difficulties, confusion, agitation, skin problems or changes in mobility.
- Never undertake clinical tasks outside the employee's training, competence or authority.
Documentation and Record Keeping
- Complete all required care records accurately and promptly.
- Record personal care, continence care, repositioning, wellbeing checks, food and fluid intake and other relevant care provided.
- Maintain accurate records of accidents, incidents and changes in residents' condition.
- Ensure information is handed over appropriately to the incoming day staff.
- Maintain confidentiality in accordance with the home's policies and data protection requirements.
Communication and Teamwork
- Work closely with the Nurse in Charge, Senior Carer and other night staff.
- Provide a clear and accurate handover at the end of the shift.
- Communicate effectively with residents, relatives, colleagues and healthcare professionals when required.
- Report concerns promptly rather than waiting until the end of the shift.
- Maintain professional relationships with residents and colleagues.
General Duties
- Maintain a clean, safe and comfortable environment for residents.
- Follow all infection prevention and control procedures.
- Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Follow moving and handling procedures and use equipment safely.
- Attend mandatory training and maintain required competencies.
- Follow safeguarding, health and safety, fire safety, confidentiality and emergency procedures.
- Promote equality, diversity, dignity and respect.
- Support the home's philosophy of person-centred care.
- Undertake other reasonable duties appropriate to the role.
Essential Skills and Qualities
- Caring, compassionate and respectful approach.
- Experience of working with older people is desirable.
- Experience of dementia care is desirable.
- Good communication and listening skills.
- Ability to remain calm when dealing with distressed or confused residents.
- Reliable and able to work independently during night shifts.
- Good observation skills and ability to recognise changes in a resident's condition.
- Ability to maintain accurate care records.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
- Understanding of confidentiality and professional boundaries.
- Willingness to undertake relevant training and development.
Desirable Qualifications and Experience
- Previous experience in a care home, nursing home, hospital or domiciliary care setting.
- Experience supporting people living with dementia.
- Care Certificate or relevant care qualification.
- Moving and handling training.
- Safeguarding and infection control training.
- Basic knowledge of health and safety and emergency procedures.
Key Responsibilities
The Night Carer is responsible for ensuring that residents receive safe, compassionate and person-centred care throughout the night, while maintaining their dignity, comfort and wellbeing and promptly reporting any concerns to the appropriate senior member of staff.
Join us as a Night Carer and be part of a dedicated team committed to delivering compassionate, high-quality care around the clock. Your efforts will help create a safe, supportive environment where residents feel valued and cared for at every hour.
Pay: £12.71 per hour
Benefits:
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Paid training
Work Location: In person
