The job of an Assistant Manager at a care home isn't an easy one, but if you do it right, you know you're really making a positive difference to people's lives. Vera Manley has been an Assistant Manager at Doveleigh Care's Doveridge Care Home in Colyton for six years. She told us about a typical day in her life, the challenges, the rewards and her personal attitude to the job.

Vera said, "Every day is different, but I always start this with a smile. My typical day starts by me organising the staff according to the residents' needs on that particular shift, whether it be morning, afternoon or night time. Before we start our shift, I check all staff have done their lateral flow tests for Covid and that they are all negative and registered. We do this prior to any shift to ensure we continue to keep our residents as safe as possible. I am responsible for medication rounds, checking temperatures on that shift, liaising with health professionals and ensuring the shift is running smoothly. I keep checking in with the staff to ensure they are all okay, or if they need any help etc. At times I will help with the personal care aspect, assisting to the bathroom or ensuring good food and fluid intake.

"About mid-morning I will do a check of each room to ensure they have been left in a good standard, oral care has been carried out and medical charts etc have been completed. If there are any shortfalls, I show the staff member and teach them the correct way. As an Assistant Manager, I have additional responsibilities like checking staff have read the policy and procedures, reflection forms have been completed, surveys have been given out and then collected back in. I always ensure we work in a person-centred way and ensure dignity is met - every resident is different and requires different types of support. We promote independence whereever possible."

The challenging aspects of the role

On the challenges of her job, Vera said, "The biggest challenge so far has been Covid, but as a team to date we have remained Covid free. This has been a rollercoaster, but we continue to keep everyone safe the best we can.

"We have residents who have a diagnosis of dementia and this can bring many challenges. For example, an inability to communicate what they would like or need, poor food and fluid intake, difficulty accepting help with personal care or assistance to the bathroom, problems with sleeping. But with the knowledge and experience and training I have carried out, I feel I can overcome these, over time.

"We look at different ways of how we can do this; we started a movie night on a Saturday where the residents who liked to be up later had an extra meal and drinks which then helped them settle and have a good night's sleep. Some residents have prompt signs to remind them to carry out personal care or oral care.

Motivation, and the best part of the day

"I feel the best part of the day is when you know your residents have had all their care needs met, they have had some activities and the staff feel they have done their best. By seeing the residents smiling and relaxed, laughing with the staff, you know it has been a good day.

"I find that when I see a resident has come in who was withdrawn, underweight and unsure why they were coming to live with us and then we then increase their weight, and build good relationships with staff and other residents, this keeps me motivated.

"I find every day is rewarding for me, seeing the residents happy, calm, well cared for and me knowing we are giving the best care possible gives me lots of satisfaction. I like then to share this with my team and this helps keep the whole team motivated."

Doveleigh Care is currently recruiting for an Assistant Manager - find out more here.