Care Associate

The Care Associate provides person-centric care and support to elderly clients in their homes settings.

The role focuses on assisting clients with their daily living needs, promoting independence, safety and dignity, and supporting their physical, psychosocial and overall well-being.

The Care Associate works closely with the Registered Nurse / Nurse Manager / Programme Executive and other members of the care team, and performs assigned care activities in accordance with CEF's policies, procedures, care plans and applicable healthcare standards.

Key Responsibilities

A. Provide Personal and Daily Living Care

• Assist clients with Activities of Daily Living (ADL), according to their assessed needs and care plans.
• Provide assistance with personal hygiene, grooming, toileting, dressing and other personal care needs.
• Assist clients with mobility, transfers, positioning and ambulation using appropriate techniques and equipment.
• Assist clients with feeding and hydration, where required and within the scope of training and assigned duties.
• Support clients in maintaining their independence and functional abilities.
• Maintain a safe, clean and appropriate care environment within the client's home.
• Respect clients' privacy, dignity, cultural preferences and individual choices at all times.

B. Support Physical Well-being and Basic Care

• Monitor and report clients' general condition and changes in physical well-being.
• Assist with basic physiological monitoring, where trained and assigned, such as:
• Temperature
• Blood pressure
• Pulse
• Blood glucose
• Oxygen saturation
• Assist with prescribed mobility, exercise or maintenance activities as instructed by the Clinical team.
• Observe clients during care activities and promptly report any deterioration, abnormal findings or concerns to the Registered Nurse.
• Follow prescribed care plans and nursing instructions at all times.

C. Support Psychosocial Well-being

• Develop a respectful and trusting relationship with clients and their caregivers.
• Provide companionship and emotional support to clients within the scope of the role.
• Encourage clients to participate in suitable activities that promote social interaction, mental well-being and independence.
• Observe and report changes in clients' mood, behaviour, cognition or emotional well-being.
• Identify and escalate concerns relating to possible neglect, abuse, self-neglect or unsafe living conditions in accordance with CEF's escalation and incident reporting procedures.

D. Support Clinical and Care Teams

• Work collaboratively with Registered Nurses / Nurse Manager.
• Carry out delegated care activities under appropriate supervision and within the Care Associate's training and competency.
• Support the implementation of individualised care plans.
• Provide feedback to the care team on clients' progress, needs and response to care.
• Assist healthcare professionals during home visits where required.
• Escalate any task or situation that is outside the Care Associate's scope of practice or level of competency.

E. Medication and Nursing-Related Support

• Assist with medication-related activities only where appropriately trained, authorised and assigned by CEF's Clinical team.
• Support clients with prescribed topical medication or other delegated care activities where applicable.
• Do not independently perform clinical procedures or administer medication outside the Care Associate's approved scope of practice, training and competency.
• Follow all medication safety, infection prevention and clinical protocols.

F. Infection Prevention and Workplace Safety

• Comply with CEF's infection prevention and control requirements.
• Practise proper hand hygiene and use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Follow safe work practices when handling, transferring or assisting clients.
• Use care equipment appropriately and report damaged or unsafe equipment promptly.
• Comply with Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) requirements.
• Maintain awareness of risks within clients' homes and escalate identified hazards.

G. Emergency Response and Incident Reporting

• Respond appropriately to emergencies in accordance with CEF's emergency response procedures.
• Maintain current First Aid / CPR / AED certification where required by CEF.
• Immediately escalate medical emergencies to the Registered Nurse / Nurse Manager and emergency services where appropriate.
• Report accidents, injuries, falls, abuse concerns, medication incidents and other care-related incidents promptly.
• Complete relevant documentation and incident reports accurately and within the required timeframe.

H. Documentation and Communication

• Maintain accurate and timely records of care provided.
• Record relevant observations and changes in the client's condition.
• Ensure information is communicated clearly during handovers and to the appropriate care team members.
• Maintain confidentiality of client information in accordance with CEF's policies and applicable data protection requirements.
• Use CEF's approved digital systems / devices for care documentation where required.

I. Other Operational Duties

• Assist with care-related equipment, supplies and inventory as required.
• Keep care equipment clean, safe and properly stored.
• Participate in team meetings, briefings and case discussions where required.
• Attend mandatory training and competency assessments.
• Participate in CEF programmes, community activities or outreach activities where required.
• Perform other duties reasonably assigned by the Nurse Manager that are relevant to the role.

3. Minimum Qualifications and Requirements

Essential

• Minimum GCE 'N' Level or equivalent, or Workplace Literacy and Numeracy (WPLN) Level 4, in line with the AIC Care Associate pathway.
• Willingness to undergo the required Care Associate training / structured training programme where the candidate does not already possess the relevant qualification.
• Good communication skills and ability to communicate respectfully with elderly clients and caregivers.
• Able to read and understand basic English instructions, care plans and documentation.
• Physically and mentally able to perform care duties, including assisting with mobility and transfers.
• Caring, patient, responsible and emotionally resilient.
• Willingness to work in clients' homes settings.
• Willingness to work collaboratively with nurses and other healthcare professionals.

Preferred

• Relevant qualification in Healthcare, Community Care, Elderly Care, Nursing Support or related disciplines.
• Relevant experience in healthcare, eldercare, nursing homes, home care or community care.
• Relevant WSQ / SkillsFuture-accredited Community Care training.
• Current CPR / AED and First Aid certification.
• Experience working with elderly clients, including clients with dementia or mobility limitations.

4. Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

The Care Associate should demonstrate the following:

Care Delivery

• Activities of Daily Living (ADL)
• Safe mobility, transfer and positioning techniques
• Basic health observation and monitoring
• Person-centred care
• Basic infection prevention and control

Client Care

• Empathy and patience
• Respect for client dignity and confidentiality
• Ability to build rapport with elderly clients
• Ability to recognise and escalate changes in client condition

Communication

• Clear verbal and written communication
• Ability to communicate effectively with clients, caregivers and the multidisciplinary team
• Ability to provide accurate handover and documentation

Safety

• Awareness of fall, infection and environmental risks
• Safe handling and transfer techniques
• Appropriate emergency response and escalation

Personal Attributes

• Caring and compassionate
• Responsible and dependable
• Physically fit for care duties
• Emotionally resilient
• Team-oriented
• Willing to learn and undertake continuous training

5. Training and Development

• CEF will support the Care Associate in obtaining the relevant training and competencies required for the role.
• Where applicable, employees may be required to undergo the AIC / SkillsFuture-aligned Care Associate training pathway, including structured training and workplace-based learning.

The Care Associate is expected to:

• Complete all mandatory training identified by CEF;
• Maintain required certifications;
• Complete competency assessments;
• Participate in on-the-job training and supervision;
• Keep knowledge and skills up to date; and
• Progress towards higher-level Community Care roles where appropriate.

7. Scope of Practice

• The Care Associate shall only perform duties that are:
• Within the scope of the Care Associate role;
• Covered by CEF's policies and standard operating procedures;
• Within the employee's training and assessed competency; and
• Delegated or assigned by the appropriate Clinical personnel where required.
• The Care Associate must seek clarification and escalate to the Registered Nurse / supervisor where a task is outside their training, competency or scope of practice.

Work Schedule

• Working Days: 5-day work week, Wednesday to Sunday
• Rest Days: Monday and Tuesday
• Working Hours: 8:30am to 5:30pm
• Overtime: May be required based on operational needs and will be compensated in accordance with CEF's overtime policy and applicable statutory requirements.
• Work Location: Clients' homes settings