Calistar Chakonza

Compassionate Health Care Assistant with experience supporting people in community, residential and hospital settings in the UK and Zimbabwe. Skilled in providing personal care, assisting with daily living, following care plans and monitoring changes in people’s wellbeing. Experienced in supporting older people and individuals living with dementia, complex health needs, physical disabilities and terminal illness.

Brings additional primary care training and experience in HIV counselling and testing, and works respectfully with clients, families and healthcare colleagues to protect dignity and promote independence.

Care Assistant - SAP Care Ltd - Tonbridge, Kent, UK

(2022-09)

• Provide compassionate, personalised, person-centred daily care and support to clients within local healthcare frameworks.
• Assist clients with complex personal care, including bathing and dressing, while maintaining high standards of infection control and general hygiene.
• Administer and accurately track daily care plans, monitoring physical health, emotional well-being, and cognitive stability.
• Collaborate actively with multi-disciplinary community healthcare teams, families, and management to report adjustments in clinical requirements.
• Uphold stringent UK healthcare regulatory standards, safeguarding patient dignity, confidentiality, and independence.

Home Care Worker - Dandaro Old People's Village - Harare, Zimbabwe

(2015-07 - 2022-08)

• Provided structured, empathetic residential care to elderly patients residing in a senior village.
• Managed specialised care for individuals experiencing degenerative mental health challenges (e.g., dementia) and complex terminal illnesses.
• Supported residents with daily living needs, nutritional intake, and mobility.
• Authored and updated accurate daily clinical logs to track medical status, physical decline, and psychosocial milestones.

Care Assistant - Athol Evans Hospital Home - Harare, Zimbabwe

(2008-12 - 2015-06)

• Operated effectively as part of a team of eight care assistants reporting directly to the Nurse-in-Charge.
• Administered high-quality personal and mental hygiene support tailored specifically to elderly patients exhibiting severe dementia and related psychiatric conditions.
• Supported the clinical team with comprehensive patient assessments and ongoing evaluations to ensure safe, ethical, and therapeutic delivery of care.
• Maintained open, supportive communication channels with families and multidisciplinary practitioners to optimise transparency and alignment of care plans.

Primary Care Nurse Attaché - Mt. St Mary's Hospital - Wedza, Zimbabwe

(2006-01 - 2008-11)

• Worked under strict supervision of the Nurse-in-Charge in a specialised unit of 6 practitioners, delivering vital primary care across all clinical hospital wards.
• Formulated custom patient care plans unique to clinical presentations, diagnostic histories, and illness progression.
• Conducted comprehensive primary physical examinations, triaging vital signs and medical histories prior to physician consultations.
• Delivered targeted clinical education and psychological counselling to patients managing severe chronic illness stress.
• Ordered and accurately interpreted diagnostic tests; managed admissions monitoring for patients with long-term, high-risk conditions.

Diploma - HIV and AIDS (2019 - 2019)

Certificate - Child Minder Certificate & Nurturing Care Training (2021 - 2021)

Basic Emergency First Aid - Babies and Children (2020 - 2020)

Industrial First Aid Certification (2005 - 2005)

Primary Care Nurse Attaché Training (2006 - 2008)

6 O Level/GCSE equivalents - including Mathematics and English (1993 - 1993)