Care Assistant/Nurse Health/Hygiene tips

[mizfiesta]

I will soon be starting a job as a care assistant where I will be coming into contact with body fluids/waste etc. Someone recommended using some sort of hand spray/wash between clients or when finishing my shift to make sure I wasn't carrying any unwanted and potentially nasty bugs on my hands but I'm not sure what to look for - can anyone help? Also any tips on keeping myself safe, healthy and bug free after carrying out my job would be appreciated.

[Crackle]

Get a new job, theres no need to do that sorta thing unless you truly cant get any other job. x Id rather be on the dole, no offence.

[whiskeysheri]

The little bottles of alcohol gel (like the stuff you're supposed to use when entering a hospital ward) are available in lots of places. I know that Tesco sell them for around �1 each. Hope this helps a bit. :)

[pastafreak]

That IS offensive crackle......the industry NEEDS people who are truly caring and willing to do what too many consider to be s***t work......you would think differently if and when you or a relative need that sort of care...shame on you. I am not a care worker myself,but i am a cook in a home..and I know that the good that can be done is hugely appreciated by the residents. there is never enough of it tho. And miz....using the handspray should be part of the protocol of the home....you will need to have it on you at all times and use it religiously. Hopefully the home should supply for you....if they don't ,then I would question the general Health and Safety practices and how they are set in place in this home.....find ANOTHER home to work in!!...good luck,hun. PS-sprays are available in Boots etc

[Crackle]

I dont see you wiping up "bodily fluids" love...

[Robinia]

Crackle, just hope and pray that if the time ever comes when you have need of care that there are people around like mizfiesta.

Good luck in your new job mizf & as whiskeysheri says antibacterial gel is available just about everywhere nowadays. Are you going to work in a home, in which case it should, as pastafreak said, be provided? Or house to house? I that case it would probably be cheaper to buy a large size & put some in a smaller container to take out with you. As for avoiding bugs in general I think it's more a case of keeping yourself fit, plenty of fresh air & try not to get too tired!

[pastafreak]

You are right,Crackle...but I am also trying to do a job that is necessary,underappreciated ,and pays crap money And as far as being a resident in a home...."there but for fortune" applies to us all.

[gina32]

i go along with what others have said about crackle, that is a terrible thing to say, someone has to do the jobs, heaven help you if you ever need someone, some people are just not able to tend to themselves because of illness or suchlike, what do you think should happen to them?

[gina32]

sorry mizfiesta forgot to answer your post, anti bacterial gel can be bought most places, but as long as each time you have handled a resident you give your hands a very good wash and that you wear the protective aprons and things that are made for the job then you shouldnt carry any nasty bugs around with you, after all when you see all the hype about hospital bugs the main thing they advise you to do is wash your hands well, common sense really. good luck with the new job

[judypark]

You will be provided with disposable latex gloves for any task that requires contact with any bodily fluids, this is standard proceedure whether working on a children's ward or a residential old people's home.
Good luck with the job.

[Crackle]

Euthanasia should be compulsary if people cant look after themselves... Sorry but thats my opinion I know it will upset some of you but oh well.

[O'Reilly]

Wherever you are working should supply handwash and also latex gloves. It depends where you will be working but most rooms have at least a basin and it was normal for me to put on gloves, deal with a resident, remove gloves, go to next resident, put on gloves etc., with any resident carrying MRSA there is barrier nursing consisting of washing hands, wearing aprons, washing hands, desposing of things in a suitable marked seperate container.

The one thing so many forget that while they can take care of their own hygiene they still wear the same uniform from one resident to another.

You will be fine wearing gloves and also washing your hands frequently. Keep a small cleanser in your car (about a quid from boots) the handwash stuff that you don't need to use water with. You have to keep residents safe and healthy as much as yourself - who knows what germs you would take into work eh?

[Ripley58]

I'm interested in going into care work, mizfiesta and wondered how you went about it. Have you any advice for me about training as a care assistant. Would appreciate some info.

[Illyria54]

I worked as a care assistant for 15 years and this thought never even entered my head, if it bothers you BEFORE you start then perhaps the job isn't right for you, you are provided with rubber gloves/plastic aprons etc anyway and it's a question you should have brought up at your interview, I would hate to have anyone look after me who looked uncomfortable and believe me if this is how you are going to feel then you won't be able to hide it, I worked with a couple of so called carers who even wore rubber gloves to feed patients/service users it doesn't get more insulting than that in my opinion.

[grandmacath]

crackle your answer was so rude ,i am a care assistant and fine it very rewarding ,mizfiesta i hope you get on well in your job ,i use alcohol gel you can get it from most chemists or supermarkets but maybe the place of work will suply it ,ours does good luck

[grandmacath]

ripley 58 if you are intrested in doing care work just get an aplication from a care home for an interview ,thats what i did 4 years ago and got the job ,i did all my training through the home still doing courses now i have just finnished my nvq3 and i am still enjoying the work good luck let me know how you get on

[mizfiesta]

Thanks to all who replied - to all those who work in the care field, keep your suggestions and tips coming. Some responses from people who left feedback:
illyria54, I am going to be visiting clients homes rather than working from a hospital or care home and therefore don't want to be carrying possible infections from client to client. My first thoughts were for vulnerable clients NOT for myself. I am young, fit and healthy and able to fight off infections. My client unfortunately aren't. I also don't want to be bringing home germs etc to my kids. And to Ripley58: you should look for employers offering training for care assistants. I also went to college for two years and completed two full time courses. The first one was NC Access to Nursing and the second one was a HNC in social care. Good luck, whatever route you choose. And to Crackle, I admire your honesty, but it would break your heart to see some of our sick and infirm clients. "There but for the grace of god go I" - or any of my/our loved ones.

[josie48]

My daughter's a carer and as the others say,rubber gloves,aprons etc are provided and they use Hibiscrub after seeing to a resident. I keep Vicks First Defence hand cleaner in my bag as even after washing hands after using a public toilet you never know what germs are lingering on the door handles etc. Just 2 sprays lasts for hours.

[alijangra]

I am a district nurse, I think it is highly commendable that you are considering such an important issue before you even start the job. As everyone has said, there should be gloves and aprons available in each home but it would be a good idea to have a small bag with extra supplies just in case stock has not been replaced (happens all the time!!). I cannot stress enough how important it is to wash your hands with soap and water as well as using antibacterial gel. Try to keep jewellery to a minimum also and ensure hair is tied back. Also make sure you have a clean uniform on daily (you would be surprised how many people dont). The company you work for should give you info on infection control. Good luck with the job, I hope you find it very rewarding.

[sandyg2244]

To the OP, well done, and yes, the priority is not passing on germs from resident to resident.Of course you look after yourself, but you're young and healthy, and can muster most viruses I'm sure.Hand gel in between washes is fine, wash your hands as often as you can after each toileting session if you can, or as soon after as you can.Infection control, its good practice and you can buy these gels from the chemist now.As for the eejit who told you to get anoher job, that person will be getting their arse wiped when they're 80 by people like me and you, and cant you just tell they will be a pleasure to work with? the people I have worked with in homes with dementia never lose their true self, and hate the indignity of someone taking off their underwear to clean them, no matter how their mind has gone.you can only afford them what dignity you can, and at least talk to them, use empathy etc.anyway, rant over!

[campbellking]

Mizfiesta, enjoy your new job. I work in a hospital, using alcohol gel between most clients is fine (my colleagues who work in community say there are some clients you wouldn't want to use their sinks to wash your hands in afterwards....). Only thing to remember is that alcohol gel is not effective against C.Diff, so if you have a client with this, you will definitely need to wash your hands.