One of the features of our Blog is that we can show an insight in to how our homes run and also the great team members who are part of the RCT Team. This week our Blog comes from one of our Residential Managers Raice Cook. Raice wanted to give a glimpse in a typical ‘Day in the life’ of a manager- if there is such a thing!
“Hi, my name is Raice Cook and I am a Registered Manager of Linden Manor Care Home in Wellingborough. Linden is a 28 bed home that supports Elderly/Dementia and Respite
I could sit here for days telling you about what I do daily because no day is the same.
One day I could be doing:
- Paperwork
- Attending meetings
- Cooking in the kitchen
- Doing laundry and domestic tasks
- Working side-by-side with my Care assistants on the floor.
Every day is different and as a manager, I have to be ready for anything and everything.
Throughout my whole life I was always told 'If you do a job you love, you'll never have to work a single day for the rest of your life' - This has stuck with me throughout and has been my inspiration to pursue my goal of becoming a Registered manager.
I have been within Regal Care Trading since I was 18 years old and I have learnt so much from the amazing residents I have met and the support I have had from all my colleagues, without their guidance, my day-to-day life as a manager may have been harder.
I always start my day when first entering the building is to greet the residents, this is their home that I am coming into every day and it is important that I (and my staff) value that.
I make sure I say greet everyone without a doubt, this house is every residents home and I like to ensure everyone respects that.
The senior on shift would give me handover and inform me of any information that I may need to know about the previous shift.
I of course, grab a coffee next!
I ask the cook what they are making for dinner that day; I check if the menu board has been updated from yesterday and if the picture boards have the correct options on them for residents with poor-eyesight.
This is so important, especially when working with individuals with dementia, they may forget what their options are and what they have chosen, so having the large whiteboard menus updated at all times is vital.
I have a schedule for the month where I write down all my targets, due dates and audits.
Whether the audit is on the general cleanliness of the home, medication audit, catering or fire safety audit completing audits helps me see what we as a team are doing well or what we may need to enhance. This helps me to create an action plan (If needed) on what I need to do as manager to support staff to ensure these audits are successful each time with minimal requirements.
As I express to my staff, all feedback is constructive and we as a home are responsible for our duty of care to our residents.
Audits are time consuming, but they help me work out what we need to improve in, this is vital for our growth as a home and a team. Involving the team I find is a great strategy, improving our team effectiveness.
Each month, for every resident, a care plan review needs to be completed on our database.
This is to update any information that is already on the care plan and to also add any information - a lot can change in a month.
It is my responsibility to ensure that this is completed as this can help us spot any patterns of concern with the resident’s care.
Reviewing all professional notes, body maps and incidents is extremely important.
Having as much detail as possible and being person-centred in the care plans helps us to ensure that we are providing the best possible care and the right facilities for our residents.
Every month I hold team meetings for all the staff at Linden Manor. This is a great way for me to inform the team of how well we are doing, what we can improve on and any new initiatives, training or events we have planned.
Also is a good way for staff to discuss any concerns they may have and what challenges they have in the work place.
I do try to make the team meetings as fun as possible, while being professional and serious when I need to be.
I also arrange a two-monthly resident and relatives meeting, this is one of my personal challenges as a registered manager.
It is not all rainbows but this is a good way to build a relationship with relatives and also an effect way for them to voice their concerns.
All feedback is constructive!
I write up an action plan and I take it from there, anything I and the team can do to improve the quality of care - we will.
One of the not so exciting parts of my day-to-day is answering the phone, although when you pass the phone to one of the residents whose relative is on the other end is the most amazing thing, they smile so much and the excitement is real.
I also have to go out to different environments to 'assess' new potential residents.
This is where I get a small but detailed care plan on an individual that the adult social care services have sent me to review and assess.
Most 'referrals' are normally within the Northamptonshire area; I may have to go to hospitals, other care homes and to the resident’s property.
This, I believe is one of the most challenging tasks.
This is one of the main tasks I have to do as a registered manager but it can be distressing; especially for those with dementia.
I would meet the potential resident, discuss about their day and asses their needs.
This is all to see if we are able to meet their needs at Linden Manor.
Recently I have started the Gold Standards Framework programme. The Gold Standards Programme is a course of training myself and the team will undertake over the next few months. Taking part in the training will help us as a home to enhance the services we provide within the home, specifically the end of life services. I am working alongside my team leaders to learn more about effective strategies to support and carrying out new skills relating to person centre care.
It will inform and supports us to manage and provide the best possible care for all those residents that enter the home.
Every day is a new day and I learn so much.
The most amazing people I have ever met, I have met in this building.”
