SEHSCT Care Assistant Band 3
ref:55952252

Branch: Downpatrick Area (SEHSCT)
Location: Ardview
Salary: Band 3 (£24,937 - £26,598)
Contract Type: Permanent
Opening date: 03/11/26
Closes: Tue, 17 November 2026 @ 5:30 PM
Interview Dates: to be confirmed.

Online and Manual applications accepted. If you are submitting a manual application, please post it to: Recruitment Shared Services, Rosewood Villa, Longstone Hospital Site, 73 Loughgall Road, Armagh, BT61 7PR. Applications received after the advertised closing date/time cannot be considered, so please allow enough time for postage.

A waiting list may be created for similar posts that may arise while the waiting list is live, this may include temporary or part-time posts. This will be managed in line with the updated HSC waiting list principles effective from 1 April 2026. Where a part-time waiting list is required, one part-time waiting list will be created regardless of any specific hours advertised, this waiting list will cover all future vacancies where part-time posts arise. A part-time post is defined as any post that has less than 37.5 hours per week.

Please remember to save or print a copy of the job description before submitting your application, as it will not be accessible afterwards.

Flexible Working
We welcome flexible working requests from day one. All HSC organisations offer a range of flexible working options. The options available for this post will depend on the requirements of the role. Find out more about flexible working options on our website.

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Full job description documents:
Job Description & Personnel Specification
Recruitment & Selection Procedures

CARE ASSISTANT - RESIDENTIAL HOMES (BAND 3)

JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Care Assistant - Residential Homes
Band: Band 3
Directorate: Primary Care and Older People
Initial Location: Ardview
Reports To: Registered Manager
Accountable To: Director of Primary Care and Older People
Flexible Working Provisions Available: Working on a rotational shift pattern including day and night duty, evenings, weekends and bank holidays. Full-time working and part-time working

JOB SUMMARY
Care Assistants work as part of a team, carrying out a wide range of caring and support tasks for service users using appropriate aids and equipment identified in individual care plans and risk assessments with direction, support and supervision of Senior Care Assistants and Registered Manager.

KEY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES
The post holder will:

• Enable clients to achieve their maximum level of independence.
• Implement care plans for individuals and maintain records as appropriate.
• To participate in meeting the physical and personal needs of residents. This may include feeding, toileting, washing and bathing. This may involve the use of hoists or other mechanical aids.
• Contribute to the assessment and review of client's individual needs.
• To assist Senior Care Assistant / Activity Worker to plan, organise, support and participate in both individual and group activities.
• To listen and communicate in a sensitive manner with individual service users who may be frail, have physical and/or sensory impairments, have a diagnosis of dementia or have behaviours that challenge.
• Ensure that the spiritual needs of clients are met.
• Promote self-advocacy and to advocate on behalf of clients.
• Work as a member of the team and respect other team members.
• Adhere to Trust Policies and Procedures and current legislation.
• Adhere to NISCC Regulations and Code of Conduct and HSC Values and Behaviours.
• Maintain timely accurate records in accordance with Trust policy and procedure.
• Report any incidents, accidents or near misses to Senior Care Assistant / Manager and complete appropriate documentation.
• To attend and participate in regular meetings for staff, service users and carers.
• To participate in personal supervision performance appraisal, training and development planning.
• Contribute to a safe environment within the Risk Management and clinical governance strategy.
• Act in a courteous and respectful manner.
• Maintain good communication with colleagues.
• Respect people's dignity, wishes and beliefs and involve them in shared decision making and obtain their consent.
• Maintain confidentiality in line with GDPR and Data Protection regulations.
• Comply with Health and Safety, Infection Control Policies and statutory regulations.
• To accompany service users on social outings and escort to medical appointments. To be able to transfer written information from Facility and have a knowledge of service users care needs if requested by relevant professional.
• Undertake personal care tasks that ensures / maintains the wellbeing of service users, this may include the application of topical preparations as indicated in the service users individual care plan.
• Ensure all service users personal possessions are recorded following the Facility procedures and that the Senior Care Assistant is informed of any monies / valuables to ensure appropriate receipting and safe keeping procedures are implemented.
• Identify any changes in service user's condition and report to Senior Care Assistant on duty and / or Registered Manager.
• To be able to use initiative to resolve any service user issues within limitation of role as per procedures and guidelines and report to Senior Care Assistant on duty and/or Registered Manager.
• Undertake all mandatory and relevant training identified as per Trust guidelines.
• Participate in, and assist service users with their rehabilitative programmes as per service users individual care plan.

RAISING CONCERNS - RESPONSIBILITIES

• The post holder will promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of openness and transparency.
• The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance with the Trust's 'Your Right to Raise a Concern (Whistleblowing)' policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
The post holder will be required to:

• Ensure the Organisation's policy on equality of opportunity is promoted through his / her own actions and those of any staff for whom he / she has responsibility.
• Co-operate fully with the implementation of The Organisation's Health and Safety arrangements, reporting any accidents / incidents / equipment defects to his / her manager, and maintaining a clean, uncluttered and safe environment for patients / clients, members of the public and staff.
• Adhere at all times to all Trust policies / codes of conduct, including for example: Smoke Free policy; IT Security Policy and Code of Conduct; Standards of attendance, appearance and behaviour.
• Contribute to ensuring the highest standards of environmental cleanliness within your designated area of work.
• Co-operate fully with regard to Trust policies and procedures relating to infection prevention and control.
• Take responsibility to minimise the Trust's environmental impact wherever possible. This will include recycling, switching off lights, computers, monitors and equipment when not in use. Helping to reduce paper waste by minimising printing / copying and reducing water usage, reporting faults and heating / cooling concerns promptly and minimising travel.
• All employees of the Organisation are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the South Eastern H&SC Trust including patients / clients, 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, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant with the South Eastern H&SC Trust policy and procedures on records management and seek advice if in doubt.
• Take responsibility for his / her own ongoing learning and development, in order to maximise his / her potential and continue to meet the demands of the post.
• Represent The Organisation's commitment to providing the highest possible standard of service to patients / clients and members of the public, by treating all those with whom he / she comes into contact in the course of work, in a pleasant, courteous and respectful manner.

This Job Description will be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

It is a standard condition that all Trust staff may be required to serve at any location within The Organisation's area, as needs of the service demand.

eHealth
The South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust has invested in eHealth to deliver better, faster, safer care to our community and is committed to supporting staff to utilise associated information systems that directly and indirectly inform care. Trust staff are therefore required to commit sufficient time to ensure that they acquire and/or retain the core technology skills required to support their role.

Personal and Public Involvement (PPI)
Staff members are expected to involve patients, clients, carers and the wider community where relevant, in developing, planning and delivering our services in a meaningful and effective way, as part of the Trust's ongoing commitment to Personal and Public Involvement (PPI).

Please use the link below to access the PPI standards leaflet for further information.
http://www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/PPI_leaflet.pdf

Issued November 2024

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION
Job Title and Band: Care Assistant Band 3
Department / Directorate: Primary Care and Older People
Salary: Band 3
Hours: 32.5 hours per week
Ref No: 55952252 September 2026

Notes to applicants:

• You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria.
• Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note The Organisation reserves the right to use any desirable criteria outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet the desirable criteria.
• Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.

Essential Criteria - Section 1
The following are essential criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage.

• Experience: 2 years paid / unpaid caring experience with older people and willing to undertake and successfully complete a Vocational Qualification in Care Level 2 within a specified time frame, OR have a Vocational Qualification in Care Level 2 or higher qualification in health care plus 6 months paid / unpaid experience directly caring for older people. (Shortlisting by Application Form)
• Qualifications / Registration: To either be, or eligible to be, registered with the Northern Ireland Social Care Council. (Shortlisting by Application Form)

Essential Criteria - Section 2
The following are essential criteria which will be measured during the interview / selection stage:

• Skills / Abilities: Good communication skills; ability to work as part of a team including the wider multi-professional team; ability to work in accordance with service users individual Care Plan; ability to use own initiative and follow directions given in an emergency situation within limitations of role; good organisational skills; ability to work in accordance with service users care plans, and record outcomes; effective interpersonal skills; flexible approach to the caring role and the needs of the service; ability to provide personal care services to adults and older people. (Interview / Test)
• Knowledge: Understanding of the role and responsibilities of the post; understanding of the needs of the service user; understanding of confidentiality and Data Protection Legislation; Northern Ireland Social Care standards and Code of Conduct related to the role. (Interview / Test)

Desirable Criteria - Section 3

• Experience (Shortlisting by Application Form)
• Qualifications: Level 2 Diploma in Health and Social Care (Adults) or equivalent (Shortlisting by Application Form)

As part of the Recruitment & Selection process it may be necessary for The Organisation to carry out an Enhanced Disclosure Check through Access NI before any appointment to this post can be confirmed.

Successful applicants may be required to attend for a Health Assessment. They can expect to be placed at the minimum point of the pay scale, although a higher starting salary within the range of the pay band may be available if the person appointed has experience relevant and equivalent to the post. Successful applicants are able to request Flexible Working from the 1st day of their employment. All staff are expected to display the HSC Values at all times.

The Organisation is an equal opportunities employer.