Word Portfolio Focusing on a Human Services Employment Role - Essay Example

Running Head: WORD PORTFOLIO Word Portfolio [The of the will appear here] [The of the id will appear here] [The of the course will appear here] [The name of the course number will appear here] 1. A 1000 word report focusing on a human services employment role of your choice, which contains the following three parts: The human service employment that I am interested in is being a support worker. This role requires care of patients and often also their care takers. The aim is to improve the quality of life for the patient and to provide as much help as needed by the patient in doing so. The support worker in the wider context provides service to the sick. The sick are the priority for the support worker. The legal and ethical duties of the support worker are merely to support the disabled, the weak and the ill. These would involve sick patients, disabled children, the elderly etc. The support worker does not necessarily work for a specific sector like the volunteer that works in the voluntary sector. Most support workers are employed in the private sector since the pay for support workers is good and the work involves specialized care for the patients. Support workers are also employed within the public sector and receive payments from the government. However, support workers do not work in the voluntary sector. The role of the support worker requires a person who not only supports patients but also displays certain other skills which include self-motivation, organizational skills, communication skills, flexibility, caring and sensitivity to others. The support worker requires these skills in order to manage and improve upon his work. He should be empathic to the needs of the patients, but while providing emotional and physical support, it is also required that the support worker be able to manage the work endorsed upon him. Since the support worker is aiding the sick, it needs to be understood that often times that sick are not capable to organizing their own lives. The support worker here has to fulfill all duties that the patient, himself is not able to do. This often requires the support worker to work outside the definitions of his profession. Therefore, flexibility is one need of the support worker (Prospectus, 2013). Good communication by the support worker is required in order to not just communicate with the patient but also with others related to the patient. This includes the family and friends of the patients, the doctor, and other authorities to whom the support worker has to answer to. In all these instances, the support worker needs to adopt a different tone and different attitude which thus requires good communication. The support worker would sometimes have to be empathic but at other times he would have to be strict; all these roles taken with the primary objective of improving the patient’s quality of life (Jacobson, Trojanowski, and Dewa, 2012). Above all, I believe that the support worker should be self-motivated. This is because the job of a support worker is often very tiring. He has to perform important tasks along with the mundane tasks; and while doing these tasks he may not receive the reward and praise that he sometimes look forward to. In such cases, he should be able to motivate himself by looking at the big picture. This involves the fact that he is helping not just the patient improve the quality of his life but also his family and friends who are inevitably connected with the patient. Another important skill that a support worker must acquire is motivation. While he must be self-motivated, he should also motivate his patients to work independently. Even though the job of the support worker is to work for the patient but he should be aware that patients can be made independent through sufficient motivation (Moore and Jones, 2012) I also believe that the skill of stamina is another specification for a support worker. Support workers need to have a lot of stamina to deal with the numerous tasks assigned to them. They furthermore do not always get the best motivation which eventually leads to increased pressures and loss of stamina. A person with a good stamina can only survive in the role of the support worker since a support worker is required to give unending support and service to the patients. Though, it may involve seemingly mundane tasks such as washing the patient or feeding the patient but these require a lot of time and effort since at times the patient does not have the will or the power to even stand which puts additional pressure on the support worker. A positive attitude is also a must for a support worker. As a support worker, one needs to realize that they are doing an important service for the sick and that their attitude would work as motivation for the patients. It would make the patients more comfortable around them thus improving the quality of life for the patient, which is the main aim of the support worker. Most support workers who enter into this field aim to become nurses. In reality, support workers do a lot of work similar to that of auxiliary nurse. Often support workers work towards the aim of becoming nurses. The job of a support worker allows them to evaluate their competitiveness as a nurse and whether they would be able to survive in such conditions (Day, 1996). The demand for support workers will continue to increase as the aging population requires support workers to help them in their daily tasks. The need for support workers is not just increasing in hospitals and community centers but also in private employment (Nancarrow, Shuttleworth, Tongue, and Brown, 2005). For a support worker, professional and personal values are particularly important. Professional values include hard work, dedication and above all a drive to improve the quality of the patient’s life. Personal values include integrity, honesty and the right attitude towards the job. It is the personal values of an individual that later shape the professional values and provides the foundations for professional growth (Parrott, 2010). In terms of my own suitability, I believe that support worker is the right profession for me. When I took up this health and social care as my chosen career, I had wanted to provide aid to the sick. Since I am in the phase of acquiring bachelors in health and service, I believe I have the appropriate qualification for the job. In terms of experience, I still need more polishing since my experience in the field is limited at best. I need to take up further internship and possibly volunteer work in order to improve my suitability in the chosen role. Since I believe I have the quality of good communication, flexibility, organizational skills and sensitivity, I would be able to do well in this career. Reflective Statement: 3.1. A critical reflection of your learning on the Unit in relation to your personal, academic and professional development. The course was designed in such a manner that it did not just focus on providing knowledge to the students but also helped them develop their skills and their abilities. In terms of personal development, I most benefited from the critical thinking that was required from the students in this field. While reading and doing assignments, our instructors taught us to focus on critical thinking. While previous learning focused on simple reading and writing, this course went above one level. While we read, we applied these concepts to everyday life. We questioned what we read and what we wrote which helped develop our thinking and writing skills both. In terms of personal development, this course also asked us to challenge our abilities. This we did by giving presentations and interviews. Up till now, our learning was limited to the acquiring knowledge. While this was good but since we have moved into a professional level, we need to challenge our knowledge. Interviews and presentations was thus a way of doing this. This also developed our confidence in our abilities and our way of presentation. It allowed us to improve our communications skills as well. In terms of academic development, this course allowed us to develop our knowledge through reading and reflecting on our knowledge. The reading list provided was quite extensive and covered a wide variety of topics and areas. In order to ensure that the students read the material provided, the assignments required inculcating reading of these sources and presenting the knowledge in these books and journals through written assignments. In this way, the course also ensured that students developed a skill of reading which they would hopefully carry out in their professional lives. While the reading lists provided secondary information, the academic knowledge was primarily gained through information provided by the tutors. The classes were well-structured, lively and informative. All of these components ensured that the students gain maximum knowledge and understanding from the course. Academic knowledge of the course also helped me understand the recent changes in the field. It opened my mind to new strategies such as building partnerships between different aspects and careers of health care (Leathard, 1994). It also opened my mind to different issues that this sector is facing such as the lack of user involvement in the decision making process and its importance in improving the care being given to the needy (Robson, Begum and Locke, 2003) In terms of professional development, I got to know about the courses available to me through this degree. When I began this course, my career options were quite limited. However, this course allowed me to understand that in this field, numerous career options are available. This course also allowed me to understand that professional development continues to grow throughout the career if one is able to open the mind for new ideas and suggestions. The mind should be open for more knowledge and collaboration (Thompson, 2000) 3.2. An identification of any gaps in your skills, knowledge and experience relative to your future professional employment within the human services. While I believe that this unit was greatly important for my career development and growth, I felt a few gaps. The most important aspect I felt lacking was the application of the theory into practice. While we learnt theory through the examples of various case studies, practical knowledge was also imperative. This was because theories are often not remembered but what we learn through practice remains with us. I also believe that this profession requires leadership skills and at times the support worker has to take his own initiative in certain cases. Right now, I am not inclined to taking my own decision. I am still not decisive about my actions and often second guess them. This is one area that I still need to improve on. This is important as new theories in this field are asking for more collaboration and active decision making from all members of the team including support workers (Brainfield and Beresford, 2006). Also I do not know where to start looking for a job in my chosen career. I believe I and other students need a platform where we are informed about the latest news about our industry and its impact on us, as both students and professionals. I believe that though I have gained knowledge about health and social care in general, I am not connected with the actual profession. Most of my knowledge comes from secondary sources which is not good enough for me. Even though, I have the right direction for my career, I do not know where to begin. The SOAR Framework: Strengths: The Strengths of the course for me was building up my confidence as well as my communication skills. The course also helped me develop critical thinking. I am now able to reflect and critically comment on social and health topics. Academically this course allowed me to gain knowledge from not just class lectures but also through various reading materials available throughout the course. Professionally, I gained insight into the career opportunities available to me. I was able to find the best career for myself by critically analyzing my own strengths and weaknesses in the light of the available professions. Opportunities: Numerous career opportunities are available for students through this course. This includes support worker, social worker, volunteering work etc. All these opportunities provide room for improvement and growth. Aspirations: My aspiration is to help those who are not well. When I took up this course, I meant to take up a profession where I could be helpful to those who do not have the best quality of life and need support in fulfilling their basic daily activities. The profession of a support worker is thus the best course of action for me right now. PDP action plan: My long term goal is: Is to become the head support worker in a reputable community center that offers a relaxing and pleasant environment for the patients. To be achieved by: 2018 My short term goal is: To pass the course with decent grades and become employed as a support worker in a good organization To be achieved by: 2014 What are the actions I need to take to achieve this? In order to achieve the short term goals, I first need to clear the course with good grades. For this, I need to continue focusing on my studies right now by attending classes regularly and completing all work assigned to me. The next part of the short term goal is to get employed as a support worker. For that, I need to create my resume and CV. The next part would be sending these to the right organizations that would be short listed by me. Once I get a call from any of the organizations, I would give an interview for my post of support worker. Hopefully given my good grades, I would be able to secure a position soon. In order to achieve my long term goals, I need to show dedication to my work. I will have to develop the ability of perseverance and stamina in order to not just fulfill my role as a support worker but also to grow. I would also require a mentor to guide me towards attaining my long term goal. This mentor would help me chart my career along the way. Tasks / stage involved Resources / people who can help Timescale 1. Get a Degree My Tutors; My Reading Materials; My interest One year 2. Creating a CV/ Resume My Tutors; My Mentor One week 3. Applying for Support Worker My CV/ Resume; My Mentor; My Tutors One month 4. Giving Interview and Getting Selected My communication skills One to two months 5. Working with Dedication and Honesty My mentor; My team members; My Patients; My organization Three to Four Years Are there any risks/obstacles to achieving your goal? YES/NO Yes, there are certain obstacles in my path. These include my lack of leadership qualities and concentration skills. I need to work on these before I can successfully achieve my long term goals. References Branfield, F. and Beresford, P. (2006) Making User Involvement Work. York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation Day, M. (1996) The Role of the Nvq Assessor: National Vocational Qualifications and the D Unit, USA: Nelson Thornes Jacobson, N., Trojanowski, L., & Dewa, C. S. (2012). What do peer support workers do? A job description. BMC Health Services Research, 12(1), 205-215. Moore, D., and Jones, K. (2012) Social Work and Dementia, New York: SAGE Publications  Nancarrow, S. A., Shuttleworth, P., Tongue, A., & Brown, L. (2005). Support workers in intermediate care. Health & Social Care In The Community, 13(4), 338-344 Leathard, A. (ed) (1994) Going Inter-Professional Working Together for Health and Welfare. London: Routledge Parrott, L. (2010) Values and Ethics in Social Work Practice, New York: Sage Publications Prospectus (2013) Overview of the Health and Social Sector in UK, Retrieved from http://www.prospects.ac.uk/health_and_social_care_sector_overview.htm [Accessed 28 March, 2013] Robson, P., Begum, N. and Locke, M. (2003) Developing user involvement: Working towards user-centred practice in voluntary organisations. Bristol: The Policy Press Thompson, N. (2000) Theory and Practice in Human Services, 2nd edition, Buckingham: The Open University Press Appendix Appendix 1 Job Description of Support Worker JOB DESCRIPTION — CARE/ SUPPORT WORKER A. Care/ Support worker Purpose of position This care service involves a programme of personal care and household care management that is personalised for each service user in the form of a care plan. Care duties will therefore include assisting the service user with a variety of duties, and in doing so the care giver will observe and respect the service user’s dignity, privacy and independence as far as is practical. Principal responsibilities – Care/ Support Worker 1. To provide personal and practical care services for people with a wide range of illnesses and disabilities. 2. To assist service users with getting up in the morning, dressing, undressing, washing, bathing and the toilet where necessary. 3. To help service users with mobility problems and other physical disabilities, including incontinence and help in use- and care of aids and personal equipment. 4. To help care for service users who are dying. 5. To help in the promotion of mental and physical activity of service users through talking to them, taking them out, sharing with them in activities such as reading, writing, hobbies and recreation. 6. To make and change beds; tidy rooms; do light cleaning and empty commodes. 7. To launder service users’ clothing. 8. To set tables and trays, serve meals, feed service users who need help, prepare light meals and wash up, and tidy and clear away. 9. To read and write in log-book records and take part in staff and service users meetings and in training activities as directed. 10. To collect pensions. 11. To conform to all policies, procedures and guidelines laid down by Prime Care in respect of carrying out these care duties and in other administrative aspects of the business, as relevant. 12. To be available to work as and when agreed with Prime Care giving, where possible, 24 hours’ notice of any cancellation. 13. To carry out accurately, and in a competent manner, instructions from managers and supervisors, adhering to the care plans of individual service users. 14. To actively talk- and listen to service users, allowing for their personal choice in their own home. 15. To ensure all home visits are for the time allowed, as scheduled and request the service user’s signature on supplied timesheets at the end of each visit, showing accurate time of arrival and departure. Deliver timesheets weekly to Prime Care’s office for processing. 16. To maintain accurate, concise, up-to-date and timely records of the service user’s care, diary sheets, medication forms, financial transaction sheets and timesheets. 17. To return all relevant paperwork to the office where deemed necessary by the company. 18. To document each visit in the daily log, detailing tasks undertaken, any changes which have occurred and other relevant information. To write clearly, showing accurate time of arrival and time of leaving, with accompanying date and signature. To be considerate in respect of written comments made in the daily log so as not to unduly or unintentionally offend or upset the service user as they and their family/representatives are entitled to read it. 19. To work only within Prime Care’s regulations regarding the handling of service users’ finances, ensuring accurate documentation and receipting of any transactions. 20. To be familiar with Prime Care’s Health and Safety Policy and to promote safe working practices. To ensure full compliance with infection control procedures following company policy. 21. To report and record any accident or incident which may occur – no matter how minor, whether to the service user or carer. 22. To report back to the manager(s) or supervisor(s) on any aspect of the service user’s care which, in the view of the care/support worker, warrants investigation or urgent action. 23. To report immediately to management any noticeable changes in health, behaviour or circumstances of service users – maintaining the service user’s right to privacy and confidentiality. 24. To participate in reviews of service users’ care plans as required. (for key workers only) 25. To be aware of, and comply with, the tasks and activities which must NOT be undertaken as part of care duties, as detailed in Prime Care’s Policy on Prohibited Duties (Limits of Responsibility). 26. To advise supervisors and/or managers of any perceived problems or difficulties experienced with the service provided to service users. 27. To advise supervisors and/or managers of any ideas which might enhance or improve the level of service delivered to service users. 28. To perform such other duties as may reasonably be required. 29. To participate in induction and foundation training and regular in-service training programmes as directed by managers or supervisors. Updated January 2010 Page 3 30. To make yourself available on a regular basis at an agreed, appointed time to assess and review your personal and professional progress which will be recorded on your personnel file, which is available for inspection on request. This will be carried out as either a one-toone or annual appraisal. B. Senior Care/ Support Worker Additional responsibilities In addition to the responsibilities and duties defined above, a Senior care/ support worker may be called upon to conduct the following duties: 1. Contact and visit service users as directed by the organisation to carry out service user reviews: (a) Ensure review questionnaires are completed. (b) Ensure all paperwork in the service users’ files has been completed and service user information recorded in line with company policy. Check that all forms are being completed correctly. Remove and replace used forms as required. When errors are observed, to record copies of relevant service user forms to discuss with the care worker(s) concerned. (c) Monitor work standards of care/ support workers by undertaking spot checks. (d) Report on service user visits, noting any concerns regarding service users or care/ support workers, to management. 2. Visit new service users to take in service user files where requested. Ensure that the service user is aware of policies and procedures. Obtain signatures on contracts and other documentation as required by management. 3. To participate in, and generally support, the supervision of care/support workers as required. To join or lead regular team meetings (peer group supervision) or individual meetings (oneto-one supervision) to review any individual care concerns, discuss service users’ requirements and update care/ support workers on administrative and policy matters. To record and return minutes of these meetings and to discuss the outcome of such meetings with management as and when required. 4. To conduct and participate in unannounced spot-check supervisory and audit visits at service users’ homes, to record the outcomes of these meetings on the appropriate forms and to return such forms to the office. 5. To participate in work-shadowing and the integration of care/ support workers into their new working environment. 6. To liaise with management in supervising or assessing new members of staff during their initial induction and shadowing period. 7. To participate in quality assurance reviews and other audit and control initiatives as directed my management. 8. To deputise for the supervisor in the event of his or her absence from work. Person Specification — Essential Criteria The following personal attributes are considered essential to the post of care/ support worker and senior care/ support worker: 1. self motivated 2. organised 3. flexible 4. caring 5. sensitive to the needs of others and to the sick or infirm 6. an active team player but also able to work on own initiative 7. a good communicator. Care staff is promoted from within the organisation, according to their achievements and skills development. Aptitude, commitment and a readiness to embrace training are all taken into consideration. Promotions, where appropriate, follow annual performance appraisals. All staff are required to respect the confidentiality of all matters that they might learn in the course of their employment. All staff must respect the requirements set out in the Data Protection Act 1998. All staff must ensure that they are aware of their responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974. All staff must also ensure that they read and abide by the Code of Practice of both the United Kingdom Home Care Association (UKHCA) and the General Social Care Council (GSCC). Read More