Roles

Roles in Health and Social Care

Care Workers

• Person-centred care: Their role includes considering the user’s individual needs and respecting their decisions and choices.
• Building relationships: They should form trusting relationships with individuals and establish open communication.
• Practical health and safety: Care workers are responsible for enforcing the necessary precautions to ensure a safe environment.

Nurses

• Patient advocacy: Nurses play a critical role in standing up for the rights of their patients and ensuring their best interest.
• Health monitoring: They regularly monitor the health condition of individuals, observing changes and reporting any concerns.
• Administering treatments: Nurses can prescribe medication or other treatments, implementing the care plans outlined by doctors.

Doctors/ Physicians

• Diagnosis: They identify and determine the health issues or diseases experiencing by the individuals.
• Prescribing treatment: They determine what course of action should be taken for treatment, which may include drugs, surgery, or other medical procedures.
• Consulting: Doctors communicate with the patient, their families, and other healthcare professionals to ensure all parties understand the patient’s condition and treatment plan.

Healthcare Assistants

• Direct care: Assistants offer practical help with tasks like washing, eating and moving.
• Social support: They play a key role in providing companionship and emotional support to individuals.
• Observation: Healthcare assistants often spend a great deal of time with patients, allowing them to notice changes in their physical or mental condition that may need attention.

Social Workers

• Support services: Social Workers guide individuals through social systems and support services, offering help like counselling and referrals.
• Advocacy: They voice out the needs and rights of individuals in their care, ensuring their welfare and well-being.
• Assessment and planning: Social workers conduct assessments to evaluate the individual’s needs and then develop a plan that includes short and long term goals for improving their life.

Managers

• Supervision: They oversee operations in health and social care settings, ensuring that procedures are carried out correctly.
• Policy implementation: They implement and enforce policy, ensuring services comply with the necessary guidelines, rules and laws.
• Personnel management: They are responsible for recruiting, training, supporting and managing staff.

Remember, every role in health and social care is interconnected. Collaboration is important to ensure cohesive care for every individual.