Working in Complex, Nurse Led Care

Working in nurse led home care is a rewarding career, that enables experienced care professionals to learn and practice new skills caring for those with complex needs You will undertake a higher level of nurse led training and specialise in supporting people with acute and varied conditions. You will also support clients of various ages including babies, children and adults. Cera provide care and nursing services to people with complex needs, in their own homes.

What is Complex Care?

"Complex care" typically refers to an integrated approach to healthcare that addresses the multifaceted needs of individuals with complex medical conditions, often involving multiple chronic diseases or conditions.

Complex care often involves a team of healthcare professionals from different specialties working together to provide coordinated and holistic care. This team may include physicians, nurses, support/care workers, social workers, psychologists, and other specialists.

Overall, the goal of complex care is to improve the quality of life for individuals with complex health needs by addressing their physical, mental, and social well-being in a comprehensive and coordinated manner. Cera provide care and nursing services to people with complex needs, in their own homes.

Who will I care for?

At Cera, we work with a wide range of clients in our nurse-led care division. This includes babies, children, young people, adults and the elderly. As a Complex Care Assistant you may be assigned to one or two clients, or work as a relief worker across a variety of packages.

Our clients have varying conditions, which include learning disabilities & development conditions, physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy, mental health disorders, nurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis or motor neurone disease. Some of our clients have acquired conditions such as acquired brain or spinal cord injuries, or as a result of a stroke.

As a result of their complex conditions, specialist care needs may include (but are not limited to): gastronomy care (eg PEG feed), tracheostomy care, oxygen and ventilation management, catheter, bowel and stoma care, medication administration, personal care and behaviour management.

What are the requirements to work in Complex Care?

Whilst hiring requirements differ per role, package and location, we usually look for:

Previous Experience

You may have professional experience in a care role, or you may have cared for a loved one who has complex needs. Due to the specialist skills training you'll receive it is important that you already have a general understanding of what it takes to care.

Flexible Working Hours

Our packages are often 24/7 and therefore we have shifts covering days, evenings, nights and weekends. These can be worked on a part-time or full-time basis but you will require some flexibility to work unsociable hours.

Empathetic Nature

Patience, compassion and empathy are essential personal qualities. You will often integrate into a household environment with family members who are very involved with care, dealing with any issues in a diplomatic, professional, positive and empathetic way is therefore essential.

Driving Licence

Often a driving licence is required, you may drive a clients adapted vehicle or be required to commute at times where public transport is not available.

Passionate About Care

You'll be passionate about helping others and be dedicated to providing the highest standards of care. You will share our vision to transform social care. for the better.

Effective Communication

You will be an effective communicator, a good listener and have a good standard of written and spoken English. You will communicate professionally and with integrity at all times.

The next step in your social care career

Benefits of working in Complex Care

As well as Cera's standard employment benefits, working in nurse-led complex care has some additional differences from traditional home care.

Block Shift Pay

Most of the care packages require block periods of care, meaning you'll work and be paid for a set shift time. Shift durations usually range from around 4hours to 12hrs. These may be day shifts, evenings or night shifts and run over 7 days per week. You should have more consistent working hours vs a domiciliary care role.

Skills Development Opportunties

You will have the opportunity to build specialist skills, overseen and trained by qualified nurses. This is a great step for your career in social care and will mean you can work with a much wider variety of clients and potentially specialise in a specific area of interest (learning disabilities, epilepsy, acquired brain injuries)

Personal Growth

At Cera, nurse led care is our fastest growing division, our goal for 2024 is to more than triple the amount of work we do in this sector. This means there will be opportunities for overtime, progression and diversity in your role.

Build Strong Connections

Working 1:1 with a client and their family means you develop a strong bond and become an important part of their life, the support you provide the whole household unit is immeasurable. In cases where clients require 2:1 or 3:1 care you will also become part of a close knit team with colleagues.

Less Travelling

Unlike domiciliary care, the majority of Complex care packages are based in one location or involve longer care calls,, which means there is less requirement to travel.

Cera's Core Benefits

Cera offers a wide range of benefits, including enhanced maternity and paternity pay, our WeCare platform for discounts and Mental Health support service. You can view all of our benefits here

Our Recruitment Process

Apply

Search for jobs by location, use the Complex Care department filter
Hit apply and complete the initial screening questions
If you meet our criteria, a recruiter will be in touch to discuss the role further and arrange an interview

Interview

Our interviews are usually 30 minutes long and will usually take place over video call.
The interview encompasses values based questions and you'll have the chance to ask any questions about the role
If successful at interview, a meet and greet may be booked with the client/family

Onboarding

You'll be asked to provide details for references and complete your application for DBS/PVG checks
We'll book you to induction training and any further clinical training required
You'll shadow colleagues and be observed carrying out any clinical tasks