Introduction
Fernhill nursing home is one of the eighteen nursing homes that are owned and run by Colten Care Limited. It specializes in caring for people with dementia. The elderly form the better part of this group of people although there are some younger persons who suffer the same.
Currently I am working as a full time staff nurse, working night shifts providing general nursing care and doubling up as the team leader for the team of caregivers. This paper will give an overview of the nursing home and my position as a staff nurse working in the home.
An overview of the home’s service delivery
At Colten Care our work is to care for people and therefore we put an emphasis on “Quality of Life”, in all our nursing homes. We understand that we are dealing with different individuals and they have diverse needs. The staffs here are trained to give high quality and personalized care to every resident.
Dignity, independence and privacy of individuals is upheld and maintained within a social setting that provides a warm atmosphere and the needed care. Fernhill specializes in caring for people with dementia and these people are particularly sensitive to how they are treated and their needs keep on changing; here at Fernhill we do our best to give the residents the best.
Our conduct is guided by the NMC professional code of conduct, the Care Standards Act 2000 and the Care Home Regulations 2001 and Colten Care’s policies.
Our commitment is caring for people and we do this by a combination of factors meeting the requirements of the elderly (Elderly Care 1997) which include giving personalized care and services to all, providing a variety of pass time activities which include games, trips and entertainment among others; these are well organized by our activities organizers, first class meals prepared by qualified experienced chefs are provided and a clean hygienic environment in our quality built home.
My position and role at the home
As a team leader, I have to guide my team in our day to day activities by active participation and delegation of duties. Staff management for my team is my responsibility; and of course I am a nurse so my basic role is providing general nursing care to the residents and any other role that might be allocated in compliance with my profession.
I am also expected to carry out my duties professionally as guided by the NMC professional code of conduct, the Care Standards Act 2000 and the Care Home Regulations 2001 and Colten care’s policies. Here is a general overview of my professional and managerial duties associated with my position.
I have to ensure that each resident has his/her needs assessed individually and that the care plan is updated with reference to any special needs or interventions and reviewed in line with the home’s policy.
With these details I have to ensure that the care given to residents is of highest quality and personalized as per individual needs. In the event that the matron manager and/or the deputy matron head of care are absent I have to sit in for them and be in-charge of the home.
My individual development must always be evidence based and this means I have to attend statutory and other training sessions as per my professional requirements ensuring that my personal development is always evidenced. Administration of medication is done according to Colten Care’s Policies and these adhere to the NMC Code of Professional Practice and the NMC Guidelines for Administration of Medication.
It is my responsibility to ensure that this is done right together with keeping accurate records of this and other procedures. It is also my responsibility to organize visits by doctors, social and health workers as may be necessary after careful consultation with them. As a nurse I have to participate fully in the nursing care procedures, attend meetings and offer my contributions towards the company’s well-being.
Being the team leader I have managerial responsibilities over my team. These include; job supervision, effective communication and management of care staff, visiting staff or any other member of staff to ensure highest quality care to the residents. Also acting as an assistant to the Deputy Matron/ Head of Care in identification of care staff’s individual strengths and weaknesses and take necessary actions is part of my duty.
I am responsible for my own safety and that of others and this I do by identifying possible hazards and taking corrective action like reporting it to the person in-charge; and perform any other duties that might be assigned to me. Managerial skills come in handy in such instances.
To be able to take up the leadership role and produce high quality results requires such skills. For instance, effective communication and team building ability are key factors to success of any team. We have to work as a team if we have to provide the quality care needed by our clients; and as a leader you have to be extra vigilant.
Conclusion
Everybody needs a high quality fulfilling life despite their age, gender, race or even health and mental statuses Colten care limited is doing a great job in providing the care that is needed to give people with special needs such as the elderly this kind of life. Here at Fernhill, with the great multidisciplinary experience of our staff we offer the best care possible to the elderly.
Reference
Elderly care: Educating you about senior care options 1997. Web.