Position Purpose

A disability support worker at this level works in a team to provide direct care and support of a high standard for clients of the organisation. The worker is required to support and meet the individual needs of people with disabilities in assisting to achieve individual goals, promoting choice, independence, abilities, individual’s participation/inclusion in the community and in-home settings and/or quality of life.

The worker is also responsible for ensuring that all reporting and administrative requirements meet service and support requirements and are delivered in line with Perth Health Care and Support Enterprise (PHASE) policy and procedures, relevant legislation and NDIS Practise Standards.

Working Environment

Code of Conduct
All employees must abide by the organisational Code of Conduct and the NDIS Code of Conduct.

Occupational Health and Safety
As an employee, you must be aware of and comply with the requirements of the relevant Workplace Health and Safety legislation and associated regulations. Complying in the workplace not only your own but others Health and Safety with the organisations Health and Safety handbook.

Staff must be up to date with annual training and be aware of and participates in fire drills. Ensure all equipment performs to standard and users have the valid qualifications to operate correctly. Always check surroundings for safety hazards before proceeding with activities. Ensure to report and document all incidents or hazards immediately to PHASE.

Teamwork
Each team member is expected to communicate in a respectful, honest manner so that the team can work together in a positive manner without causing harm or a negative environment for the people we support, staff members and surroundings.

Performance review
Performance reviews will be conducted using the organisation’s Performance Management Process.

Service Objectives

To provide clients with high quality support that addresses individual needs, goals, promoting choice, independence, abilities, participation/inclusion in the community and in-home settings and/or quality of life. The employee is expected to operate with:

• Respect and consideration for all participants and their families
• A high level of commitment and understanding
• Complete all tasks efficiently or as otherwise agreed with by the site coordinator/ team leader or delegated staff
• Use of initiative and find positive solutions in response to identified needs
• Understanding the need for consultation where relevant, and in collaboration with colleges, managers, parents/clients, and staff
• Compliance with the organisation’s internal quality standards
• Use of organisations/participants equipment/belongings appropriately and respectfully
• Personal accountability for actions/communication with other members of the support team

Supervision

A disability support worker at this level works under general guidance and operates within established routines, methods, standards and procedures.

You are responsible for following participants care and goal plans and provide guidance to other staff members when in need.

Focus Areas

Possessing the appropriate qualifications duties may include, but not limited to, assistance with personal care, domestic duties, medication management, supervision of other staff, transport, meal preparation and shopping, development training, social support, and assistance to access and participate in the community.

Understanding behavioural management strategies and their application in routine and emergency situations and follow behavioural plans.

Be competent in using our CRM System, keep up to date with relevant training and qualifications and attend staff and supervised meetings.

You will be expected to perform other job-related tasks requested by management and as necessitated by the development of this role and the development of the business.

RESPITE Accommodation Guidelines for Supporting Participants

While on duty in the respite accommodation, it is all staff’s responsibility to ensure work is completed in a professional manner and positive attitude. Ensure you look at participants goals on GOMS to provide adequate care and understanding when planning activities. PHASE provides goals for each individual participant; they are all unique. If you have any concerns, please communicate with your team leader within office hours. Ensure you verbally communicate with staff at handover at the beginning of each shift to allow for the best care possible.

Key Tasks/Duties & Responsibilities

Morning Shift

• Assist participant with personal care such as showering, dressing, brushing teeth etc, while encouraging independence and choice
• Make breakfast of participants choice with their assistance. Tidy kitchen area, clean, wash dishes and wipe bench tops
• Ensure documentation of fridge temperatures
• Administer relevant medication to participants and making sure you check with other staff if possible and signing documentation when medication has been administered
• Make bed encouraging participant to help as able. Remove bed linen for washing if participants last day in respite
• Spend time with participants in planning activities for the day, asking them what they would like to do
• Engage participants in activities of their choice either in house or community to ensure activities are geared towards reaching individuals goals by looking at participants goal and care plan located on GOMS.
• Complete washing as required and tidy laundry
• Ensure sunscreen is applied before leaving the house and going out into the community and re applying throughout the day. Making sure you fill and sign on the sunscreen chart.
• Keep staff informed in the communication book about community activity (so we know where you’re planning on going)
• Encourage participant to assist in preparation of their lunch of choice where able to
• Complete shopping list
• Ensure that all administrative requirements are up to date as per protocol, such as progress notes, staff communication book and any other relevant documentation

Afternoon Shift

• Using participants goals as a focus, communicate with the participants and plan afternoon activities either in house or within the community
• Prepare and cook dinner of participants choice – supporting participants to gain some independent skills within the kitchen as able
• Make lunches and put into the fridge
• Administer relevant medication to participants and making sure you check with other staff if possible and signing documentation when medication has been administered
• Check mail with participant if able.
• Maintain garden – sweep driveway, do weeding when required.
• Vacuum floors
• Empty bins and ensure bins are put out on bin day
• Assist participants with personal care as required encouraging independence.
• Prepare participants for bedtime, encouraging a relaxing routine to promote a healthy sleep pattern.
• Ensure that all administrative requirements are up to date as per protocol, such as progress notes, staff communication book and any other relevant documentation

Night Shift

• Assist participants with personal care as required, encouraging independence and choice
• Prepare participant for bedtime, encouraging a relaxing routine to promote healthy sleep pattern
• Administer relevant medication to participants and making sure you check with other staff if possible and signing documentation when medication has been administered
• Check participant hourly throughout the night
• House cleaning duties – washing of floors, dust cobwebs, clean windows, and windowsills if dirty, disinfect bathrooms/toilets, wipe over oven, put dishes away, clean fridge (check for expired food) and ensure all food is wrapped and dated expiry’s
• Participants may wake during the night – reassure and encourage them to settle back to sleep until morning
• Depending on participants routine, support with morning care as required (personal care – showering, getting dressed, brushing teeth etc while encouraging independence
• Ensure that all administrative requirements are up to date as per protocol, such as progress notes, staff communication book and any other relevant documentation

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Provide high quality client support
• Participants needs are met as detailed in support goal and care plans
• Documentation – Provide feedback on individual participants behaviour issues and progress
• Ensure that the service provided is in keeping with the Organisational policies and procedures, NDIS, Disability Service Standards and are maintained to high standards
• Respite houses are respected, kept clean and secure
• Effective relationships with co-workers are maintained
• Ensure incident reports are completed immediately and sent through to the coordinator/and if medical to the Nurse

Qualifications

• An appropriate certificate (minimum certificate III) relevant to the work required to be performed
• Attained previous experience in the relevant industry to undertake the range of activities required
• Appropriate on the job training and relevant experience

Other Requirements

• Covid-19 Vaccination Certificate (2 doses and booster required)
• Valid Driver’s License
• Valid Police Check
• Valid Working with Children’s Check
• Valid Fist Aid Certificate
• Manual Handling Certificate
• Medication Administration Certificate
• NDIS Workers Screening Check
• NDIS Induction Module
• Rights to work – Passport/Visa proof

Selection criteria

• Demonstrate a positive attitude towards people with disabilities
• Display effective written and verbal communication skills
• Experience in working as part as a team
• Remain calm in difficult situations
• Computer literacy
• Able to manage carry out physical aspects of the position
• Development of interpersonal skills
• Efficiently and effectively completes agreed job tasks
• Aware of how to present self as a role model on behalf of the organisation and in line with community expectations
• Shows flexibility in approach to work tasks
• Actively seeks creative solutions to overcome barriers in providing support.
• Shows awareness of safety and preventative actions required
• Follows routines and /or timetables and completes tasks on time.
• Complies with disability services standards and organisational policies and procedures relevant to the role
• Adheres to reporting, documentation, and administrative requirements as directed by PHASE