Job Introduction
Avante Care & Support is a Registered Charity supporting over 1000 older people through our registered nursing and dementia care homes and home care services. We are proud to be a well-established not for profit organisation, with an experienced and skilled workforce. We are committed to making a positive difference to both individuals and their loved ones through individualised support and guidance.
We operate a number of residential care homes in Kent and South East London. Each home requires a substantial amount of work to maintain the fabric of the building and the grounds, and this post is crucial in providing a high quality service for the elderly residents living in the home. The post holder will be the principal local resource to enable the home and grounds to be well-maintained and will be supported by the Maintenance Support manager
The post holder will be normally based in Barnes Lodge, Tonbridge, Kent, but will be required, on occasions to assist other homes within a reasonable distance to cover absences and/or work that requires additional staffing resources. This is a full time position, which is predominantly working Monday - Friday but with some occasional weekend working. You must be able to drive.
The post holder is required to undertake a range of day-to-day maintenance, caretaking and grounds maintenance duties within the home, including minor repairs and redecoration, ensuring that all required duties are carried out to a high standard. The duties to be carried out will vary depending on the needs of the home. The following tasks are a guide to what will normally be expected. The post holder will liaise closely and on a daily basis with the Home Manager in prioritising work, and all duties must be carried out flexibly, in accordance with the Quality Standards adopted by Avante Care and Support and in accordance with all relevant Health and Safety legislation.
Main Responsibilities and Duties
All aspects of grounds maintenance, including grass cutting, care of beds, plants, weeding, edging and maintenance of outbuildings as required.
From time to time, work in other locations/care homes and work with colleague
Maintenance Technicians as operational needs dictate.
Internal cyclical redecoration.
Undertake maintenance repairs and remedial works as identified and within the post holder’s competence.
The monitoring of all heating and lighting equipment reporting defects for repair.
Supporting management with the testing of fire alarm, call alarm systems and emergency lighting systems.
Undertaking routine H&S monitoring, inspections and audits in the care home in accordance with policy.
To include completion and maintenance of:
TMV record of inspections
PAT testing portable electrical equipment that is brought into the Home between annual inspections
Flushing and descaling shower heads and reducing other other risk areas for Legionella
Wheelchair, ‘zimmer’ frame and walking stick inspections
A record identifying the Hoist slings used in the care home
Maintenance tools inventory
Supporting management with completion of COSHH inventory
Calibration records for service user weighing scales
Supporting management with completion of risk assessments
Supporting management with fire drills and maintenance of records
Maintain calibration records of food probes
To undertake day-to-day plumbing and carpentry repairs that are within the competence of the individual.
Maintaining equipment within the home in a safe manner.
Assist with moving furniture and goods' deliveries to maintain the smooth running of the home.
All work must be carried out having full regard to health and safety matters at all times. Risk assessments must be carried out for all duties carried out by the post holder prior to any work commencing. The post holder must ensure all work carried out has considered the risks to clients, visitors and staff in the home.
Make recommendations on improving the home and grounds and in methods of carrying out the required duties. Monitor and advise the Home Manager on the performance of outside contractors.
Essential Experience/Skills
Previous experience in carrying out maintenance duties and day-to-day repairs, possibly in a trade capacity.
To be aware of and sympathetic to the needs of elderly people who have varying degrees of dependency, when working inside and outside the building.
The post holder must be flexible in their approach to work and be able to work as part of a team.
Desirable Experience/Skills
Previous experience of working in a caretaking capacity.
Previous experience of grounds maintenance
Previous experience of internal and external decorations
Previous experience in working in a residential environment.
If the above sounds like you, join now and benefit from;
- Highly competitive rates of pay
- DBS (at no cost to yourself)
- Pension Contributions
- Free Uniform
- Refer a Friend bonus scheme
- Training & Development Opportunities
- 24/7 access to virtual GP’s, Physiotherapy and counselling with our well-being service
- Employee of the Month & Sparkle Awards
- Discount at over 800 retailers
- A friendly, supportive, team working environment
Our positions are subject to Enhanced DBS Disclosures which will be completed upon successful application. All applications will be dealt with on an individual basis in accordance with our policy and organisational requirements.
We are an Equal Opportunities Employer.
Please note: If you are shortlisted, you will be invited to attend an interview. We regret to inform you that due to the high volumes of applicants, we do not write to candidates who are unsuccessful at the shortlisting stage. In the meantime, we would like to thank you for the interest you have shown in Avante Care & Support.