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.
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 BHN Extras platform for discounts and Mental Health support service. You can view all of our benefits here