Homecare agency wanting me to provide care with no training.

[mustgetabackbone]

Hi, just looking for some advice really.

The company I am employed by are not the best a giving training. In one of these 'training' sessions ( two hours of being talked to by a senior carer, to cover everything!) we were told that if we were ever required to give stoma care we would be be assisted by a senior carer and fully trained on this.
Fast forward a few months and I have been asked to cover someone's run that will include four visits to someone that requires stoma care twice a day.

I phoned and left a message to inform them I'm not trained, and was told I would be called back. Heared nothing so emailed today and was told by the co-ordinator 'oh don't worry, the client will show you she has shown lots of staff, and its good to have unde your belt!'.

Now, I'm unhappy with this, if something goes wrong I'm the one who the Blaime will fall on, I have no idea what to do, and its exactly what the senior care told us would not happen!

Wwyd?

[FlyOverTheMistletoe]

Can you ring the senior carer. You really should not be doing stoma care without proper training.

[mustgetabackbone]

I need to get her number, so will do later. It's in my folder, and that's in dp's car. Are you in health care? Just wondering if there was official advice, or if I'm being too worried lol.

[FlyOverTheMistletoe]

I was in health care for a long time. I couldn't give you the current advice, but it was because of these sorts things that I left. Seeing people ignored, poorly treated, verbally abused, etc. I decided I would rather poke burning needles in my eyes than be around this. (sorry)
On a brighter note - if your senior carer is good she will help you. Do notbe pushed into doing stuff until you are trained, and feel confident enough to do so. Good luck.

[mustgetabackbone]

Thanks for the advice. I have been with this company for six month now and they are terrible. Luckily I have a new role as a bank support worker just waiting to go fill in my paper work and I can hand my notice in!

[FlyOverTheMistletoe]

I am so pleased for you, I was initially going to say look for another job, but at the moment that is so hard. So now Good luck in your new job !

[higgle]

I run a care service for a charity for older people. You should have a 12 week inductin period, which should involve courses, mentoring and group work in all the essential ares of your work, such as safeguarding, health and safety, medications, moving and handling, first aid, food hygiene, communications and record keeping and principles of care etc. You should also receive raining on the practical aspects of stoma care, dealing with catheters and general continence issues. new care assistants should shadow senior carers in the community until they are competent to work on their own ( ours get 2-4 weeks on average of this) Your manager or training co ordinator should also carry out an observation of you at work before your induction is signed off.

OP - I'm really sad to hear about our problems, the agency is not complying with legislation and hpefully when CQC inspect them again they will take enforcement action.