Disability Support Worker

Job description: - Duties and Responsibilities

Provision of care and supports to participants as detailed in their support plans.

General

• Always check your understanding of the participant's required tasks before commencing your work.


• Implement personal hygiene and infection control procedures


• Be alert if you notice the participant is distressed or apathetic (uninterested or listless)


• Adjust your tasks to meet participant's needs, preferences and priorities


• Record all work as per the organisation's requirements

Work Practices

Duties will vary according to the participant's support plan but may include:

• Assisting people to perform important daily activities


• Facilitating daily personal hygiene and dressing tasks


• Performing home-based tasks such as food preparation and housework


• Undertaking tasks outside the home such as shopping


• Ensuring varied programs of social activities


• Providing emotional support and friendship


• incorporate Child Safe Standards in their practice when working with children and young people


• Report any real or potential risks of harm to a participant, including child and young people

Communicate:

• clearly, inclusively and respectfully


• adapt to participant's age, culture and cognitive ability


• understand individual communication – verbal and non-verbal


• use the best communication method to recognise the difference between self and participant


• be persistent and patient

Build trusted relationships

• build relationships based on mutual respect


• determine what makes the participant feel safe and valued


• work with both participant and their important people to understand how they are involved


• communicate directly with the participant unless otherwise determined


• prioritise participant's voice during any conflict


• treat equally but recognise the imbalance in the relationship


• recognise and report any threat in circumstances and environment

Rights

• understand participant and worker rights


• support participant to express views, raise concerns, report complaints and incidents

Work Collaboratively

• support all supporting stakeholders


• work within role and responsibility


• recognise the participant's skills, experience and contribution to everyone in the team


• keep participants informed when sharing and discussing them


• focus on strengths


• be optimistic, hope and patience

Observe and respond

• review all relevant notes and support plan information


• identify needs and strategies


• clarify your understanding


• be observant, attentive and present


• act responsively and flexibly


• celebrate reaching goals and independence


• maximise participant's control and confidence

Heath and Safety

• talk to participant/supervisor about any intermittent conditions to determine strategies when confronted with the situation


• support access to preventative and responsive health, dental etc


• respond quickly if the participant is uncomfortable, distressed, apathetic or in poor health


• identify potential and actual risks, then act promptly and in consultation with the participant


• escalate to your supervisor any situation when the participant is at risk


• identify and report any work health and safety issues


• promote independence and choice never use restrictive practice unless approved and trained in the practice

Qualifications preferred: -

• Current Worker Screening and WWCC (if required)


• First Aid Certificate


• Drivers License


• Reliable and comprehensively insured vehicle


• New Worker NDIS Induction Module


• Smartphone

A formal certificate may not be required if the individual has relevant experience and skills – recommended qualifications Certificate III in Individual Support, Mental Health, Aged Care, Community Services, Disability Work or similar

Experience preferred:-

• Preferred minimum six months relevant experience


• Experience supporting people with disability


• Demonstrated continuing professional development.


• Knowledge of continuous quality improvement principles


• Use of equipment related to personal and work safety


• Promoted participant's choice and independence


• Supported participants in hygiene practices

Skills preferred:-

• Verbal and written communication skills.


• Ability to work with various ages, cultures and ability levels


• Ability to build rapport and trust with clients.


• Strong time management and ability to prioritise.


• Ability to use Microsoft Office suite of programs and other computer systems for record-keeping.


• Excellent problem solving and conflict management skills.


• Ability to work as part of a team and maintain good working relationships.

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