Sara Smith
Southampton,Hampshire
Summary
Dedicated health and social care professional with over 15 years of experience in diverse settings in Italy and the United Kingdom. Currently completing BSc Mental Health Nursing at Solent University, qualifying September 2026. Promoted to Senior Carer in two organisations, demonstrating commitment to skill development and responsibility. Seeking Band 5 Mental Health Nurse role with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, ready to contribute effectively to patient-centred care.
Overview
38
38
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Carer (Part-Time)
Southampton Manor Care Home
Southampton
01.2021 - Current
- Promoted to Senior Carer following consistent demonstration of clinical competence and leadership
- Allocated and supervised care staff to ensure safe, timely delivery of care for residents
- Ensuring all residents receive person-centred care aligned with their individual goals and preferences
- Mentored and supported junior care staff, enhancing their skills and confidence in daily practice
- Administered medications, conducted resident assessments, and developed care plans.
- Managed inventory for Avery Collection, maintaining accurate stock levels and organisation to support care services
- Full-time 2021 to 2023, reducing to part-time once started BSc Mental Health Nursing at Solent University in September 2023
Healthcare Assistant (Agency)
A24 Group Agency
01.2019 - 01.2021
- Collaborated with nursing homes, community care, and mental health hospitals including St James Hospital Portsmouth and Western Community Southampton to deliver patient-focused support
- Upheld high standards of care and professionalism in multiple organisations, ensuring consistent quality of service
- Enhanced clinical adaptability and confidence while providing care to diverse patient populations
Senior Carer
Nursing Home
Cosham
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Supervised junior care staff while coordinating daily care delivery to ensure high standards of patient care
- Ensured accuracy of care documentation to support regulatory compliance and care quality
- Promoted to Senior Carer after demonstrating exceptional performance in patient care
Care Assistant
Health and Social Care Settings
01.2008 - 01.2016
- Provided personal care and assistance with daily living activities while ensuring patient dignity.
- Developed skills in person-centred care and effective communication, improving patient interactions and care quality.
- Delivered health and social care services in Italy, enhancing patient well-being post-training.
Teacher
General Gymnasium
, Ballsh, Albania
09.1988 - 06.1992
Education
BSc (Hons) - Mental Health Nursing
Solent University
Southampton09-2026
Level 2 Functional Skills - English
Itchen College
United Kingdom01-2023
NVQ Level 3 - Health and Social Care
Health and Social Care
Italy01-2008
Skills
- Risk assessment
- Medication management
- Care planning
- RiO electronic patient records
- Multidisciplinary teamwork
- De-escalation and conflict resolution
- Clinical supervision
- Safeguarding adults and children
- Recovery-focused care
- Staff supervision and allocation
- Patient education
- Therapeutic communication
- Mental Health Act awareness
- Patient engagement
- Care plan creation
- Team leadership
- Risk assessment
- Clinical documentation
- Person-centred care
- Staff training
- Communication skills
- Teamwork
- Knowledge of dementia care
- Building trust relationships
- Assisting with personal hygiene
- Bathing and dressing assistance
- Personal care
- Fall and injury prevention
- Patient safeguarding
- Patient care
- Personal care assistance
- Elderly care
- Patient record keeping
- Personal hygiene support
- Safeguarding knowledge
- Patient care planning
- Respect for privacy
- Hoist operation
- Dementia awareness
- Mobility support
- Nutritional safety awareness
- Compassionate
- Vital signs assessment
- Time management
- Decision making
- Composure under pressure
- Active listening
- Senior companionship
- First Aid
- Care planning
- Manual handling certification
- Food preparation
- Daily living activities
- Health assessments
- Effective communication
- Resilience under stress
- Infection prevention
- Mental health support
- Disability Care
- Responsive listening
- Compassionate care
- End-of-life care
- Infection management strategies
- Infection control
- End-Of-Life support
- Wound dressing
- Respecting boundaries
- Person-centred care plans
- Mobility assistance
- Person-Centred Approach
- Relationship-building
- Dementia support
- First aid and safety
- Mental health awareness
- Compassionate care
- Record-keeping
- Crisis intervention techniques
- Food safety standards
- Social care
- Mobility aid operation
- Manual handling training
- Pain management techniques
- Patient services
- Treatment planning
- Dementia familiarity
- Care management
- Dementia assistance
- First aid knowledge
- Infection Control
- Client safety
- Communication proficiency
- Diet and nutrition assistance
- Personal care planning
- Medication management
- Pain management
- Physical stamina
- Care plan execution
- Care plan management
- Mobility support techniques
Custom Section
- Manual Handling
- Safeguarding Adults and Children
- First Aid Certificate
- Driving Licence (full)
- Medication Administration
Languages
Albanian
First Language
English
Upper Intermediate
B2
Italian
Proficient
C2
Certification
- [Area of certification] certified
Interests
- Spending time with family
- Gardening
- Walking
- Running
- Going to the gym
- Dancing
- Listening to music
- Baking
Accomplishments
- Promoted twice
- good team player
- trained to administer medications
- administered medication for more than 2 years
Additional Information
Trainings
- Practice Supervisor Preparation
- Conflict resolution - level I
- Data security awareness level I
- Equality and diversity and human rights level I
- Fire safety level 1
- Health and safety and welfare level I
- Infection prevention and control level I and 2
- Preventing radicalisation: Basic Prevent Awareness and (Mental Health) level 3
- Resuscitation level I
- Resuscitation adult level 2
- Safeguarding adults level I and 2
- Safeguarding children level I and 2
Face to face:
- Basic life support
- Moving and handling
Timeline
Senior Carer (Part-Time)
Southampton Manor Care Home
01.2021 - Current
Healthcare Assistant (Agency)
A24 Group Agency
01.2019 - 01.2021
Senior Carer
Nursing Home
01.2018 - 01.2019
Care Assistant
Health and Social Care Settings
01.2008 - 01.2016
Teacher
General Gymnasium
09.1988 - 06.1992
BSc (Hons) - Mental Health Nursing
Solent University
Level 2 Functional Skills - English
Itchen College
NVQ Level 3 - Health and Social Care
Health and Social Care