Trainee Support Worker

Trainee Disability Support Worker

Employer: Profound Care Australia Pty Ltd
Position Title: Trainee Disability Support Worker
Employment Type: Part-Time
Ordinary Hours: Approximately 20 hours per week, as agreed and rostered
Award: Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010.
Classification: Social and Community Services Employee – Level 1, Pay Point 2
Reports To: Operations Manager / Director or delegated supervisor
Location: Participant homes, community settings and other approved service locations

Position Purpose

The Trainee Disability Support Worker provides safe, respectful and person-centred support to people with disability while developing the practical skills and knowledge required to become a competent Disability Support Worker.

The employee will work within established organisational policies, participant support plans, risk assessments and procedures and will receive regular supervision, guidance and workplace training.

The position supports participants to increase independence, maintain health and wellbeing, participate in their community and achieve goals identified in their NDIS support plans.

Key Responsibilities

Participant Support

The employee will:

• Provide respectful, person-centred support in accordance with each participant's support plan, preferences, goals and assessed needs.

• Assist participants with everyday activities and development of independent living skills.

• Support participants to access community activities, appointments, shopping, recreation and social activities.

• Encourage participant choice, control, independence and decision-making.

• Provide companionship and social support where required.

• Implement established participant activities, skill-development programs and support strategies.

• Assist participants to maintain routines and achieve identified goals.

• Observe changes in a participant's wellbeing, behaviour or circumstances and promptly report concerns to the appropriate supervisor.

Personal Care and Daily Living

Where authorised, trained and included within the participant's support plan, duties may include:

• Assistance with showering, bathing and personal hygiene.

• Dressing and grooming assistance.

• Toileting and continence support.

• Assistance with mobility and transfers.

• Meal preparation and assistance with eating and drinking.

• Household tasks associated with the participant's support needs.

• Assistance with maintaining a safe and hygienic living environment.

• Supporting established medication procedures within the employee's training, competence and delegated responsibilities.

The employee must not undertake clinical or high-risk activities unless appropriately trained, assessed as competent and authorised to perform those duties.

Participant Plans and Documentation

The employee will:

• Read and follow participant support plans, care plans, behaviour support instructions, risk assessments and other relevant documentation.

• Complete progress notes accurately and promptly following each shift.

• Record relevant participant activities, observations and outcomes.

• Complete incident reports, medication records and other required documentation when applicable.

• Report incidents, hazards, injuries, behavioural concerns and changes in participant circumstances promptly.

• Maintain accurate and confidential records.

• Assist senior staff with implementation of participant support and care plans where directed.

Safety and Duty of Care

The employee will:

• Exercise an appropriate duty of care towards participants at all times.

• Follow workplace health and safety requirements and safe work procedures.

• Identify and report hazards and risks.

• Follow participant-specific risk assessments.

• Follow emergency and incident management procedures.

• Use safe manual handling techniques.

• Follow infection prevention and control procedures.

• Immediately report suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, violence, discrimination or other safeguarding concerns.

• Seek assistance from a supervisor when a situation is outside their training, authority or competence.

NDIS Responsibilities

The employee must:

• Comply with the NDIS Code of Conduct.

• Respect each participant's dignity, privacy, culture, values and individual rights.

• Support participant choice and control.

• Maintain professional boundaries.

• Protect participants from violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation and discrimination.

• Follow Profound Care Australia Pty Ltd policies and procedures.

• Maintain confidentiality of participant and organisational information.

• Report incidents and complaints in accordance with organisational requirements.

• Never use restrictive practices unless specifically authorised and implemented in accordance with applicable requirements and organisational procedures.

Traineeship and Training Responsibilities

As a trainee, the employee is expected to:

• Actively participate in workplace training and supervision.

• Attend required training sessions and competency assessments.

• Complete assigned learning and assessment activities within required timeframes.

• Develop practical disability support skills under the guidance of experienced workers and supervisors.

• Seek guidance where unsure about a participant's support requirements.

• Accept constructive feedback and demonstrate improvement.

• Apply knowledge gained through formal study and workplace training to everyday support activities.

• Maintain satisfactory progress in any applicable formal training program or qualification.

• Complete mandatory NDIS and organisational training.

• Participate in induction, refresher training and professional development.

Level of Responsibility

The Trainee Disability Support Worker:

• Works within clearly established policies, procedures, support plans and guidelines.

• Works under regular supervision and guidance.

• May exercise limited initiative and judgement within established procedures.

• Is responsible for organising and managing their own work during allocated shifts.

• Must seek assistance where a matter falls outside established procedures or the employee's level of experience.

• Does not have authority to independently alter participant support plans, behaviour support strategies, medication instructions or organisational procedures.

• Is not responsible for managing, disciplining or formally supervising other employees.

Professional Conduct

The employee is expected to:

• Treat participants, families, colleagues and stakeholders respectfully.

• Arrive for rostered shifts punctually and prepared for work.

• Maintain reliable attendance.

• Wear appropriate clothing and identification where required.

• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries.

• Avoid conflicts of interest.

• Not disclose confidential information.

• Not attend work affected by alcohol, illegal drugs or any substance that makes the employee unsafe to perform their duties.

• Use organisational and participant property responsibly.

• Communicate professionally with participants, families, colleagues and management.

• Follow reasonable and lawful directions from management.

Essential Requirements

The employee must hold or obtain and maintain, where applicable:

• NDIS Worker Screening Check.

• Working with Children Check where the role involves children.

• Current First Aid Certificate.

• Current CPR certification.

• Current unrestricted or appropriate driver's licence where driving forms part of the role.

• Appropriate motor vehicle insurance where a private vehicle is used for work.

• Completion of the NDIS Worker Orientation Module.

• Any mandatory training required by Profound Care Australia Pty Ltd.

• The ability to meet the inherent physical and practical requirements of the position.

Skills and Attributes

The successful employee should demonstrate:

• Respect for people with disability.

• Good verbal and written communication skills.

• Reliability and punctuality.

• Ability to follow instructions and established procedures.

• Basic computer and mobile application skills.

• Ability to complete clear and accurate progress notes.

• Willingness to learn.

• Ability to work both individually and as part of a team.

• Appropriate judgement regarding when to seek assistance.

• Patience, professionalism and emotional maturity.

• Respect for confidentiality, privacy and professional boundaries.

• Ability to respond appropriately to participant needs while remaining within the employee's training and responsibilities.

Performance Expectations

Performance will be assessed against:

• Participant safety and quality of support.

• Compliance with participant support plans.

• Quality and timeliness of progress notes and other records.

• Attendance and punctuality.

• Compliance with organisational policies and procedures.

• Appropriate professional conduct.

• Progress in training and workplace competency.

• Communication with participants, colleagues and management.

• Compliance with NDIS requirements and the NDIS Code of Conduct.

• Demonstrated development of disability support skills.

Classification

This position is classified as:

Social and Community Services Employee – Level 2, Pay Point 1

under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010.

The position operates within established routines, procedures and guidelines. The employee works under regular supervision, with assistance available when required, and exercises limited initiative and judgement within established procedures.

Remuneration, penalty rates, overtime, allowances and other employment conditions will be provided in accordance with the applicable Award, employment contract and legislation.