Support Worker – Plympton

About Me

I am a woman in my 40s living independently in the community in Plympton. I am social and enjoy meeting new people, making friends, and staying connected with people I know. I like getting out for coffee, going for walks in my local community, and having a bit of an adventure when exciting events are on. At home, I love watching TV, especially Home and Away. In the past, I have kept a blog and spoken publicly about living independently with assistive technology and self-directing my supports.

About My Support

I live with Athetoid Cerebral Palsy, severe dysphagia, and chronic pain. My dedicated support team assist me in all aspects of my daily life, including personal care, transfers with a lifter, nutrition and medication via my PEG, mealtime management, and supporting me to live out my vision for a good life. At times I also struggle with my mental health and keeping a positive outlook, and I value a team who can recognise those times and support me through them.

Role Overview

One of my team members is going on maternity leave in late November or early December. This is an ongoing casual role, not a fixed-term contract. We would like to bring someone on now with regular shifts on our fixed roster, then increase those hours for the six months our team member is away. The maternity leave component will be approximately 47 hours per fortnight. In the immediate term, before maternity leave starts, hours will likely be closer to 40 per fortnight, depending on your availability. Once she returns, we expect to keep you on in the team, though we can’t say yet exactly what hours will be available.

Ideal Candidate

I work well with people who are:

• Fun, funny and bubbly
• Empathetic, confident and assertive
• Proactive — happy to step up when things need doing
• Strong communicators who build good relationships
• Reliable, flexible and willing to learn

Two to three years’ experience with high-intensity supports, enteral (PEG) feeding, and supporting someone with their mental health would be an asset.

Work Schedule

I prefer to work with a fixed monthly roster as much as possible so that my team and I can plan our lives around it. There’s also room for flexibility when needed.

My roster is built around 2:1 support — two workers on shift together — at the times of day I need it, and passive overnights, where you sleep over and are only called on if something comes up. Passive overnights are a new thing for me. At present, my team works across roughly the following shifts:

• 9 am – 4 pm
• 4 pm – 10 pm
• 11 am – 3 pm (2:1 support)
• 5 pm – 9 am (2:1 support, then passive overnight)

In general, the 11 am – 3 pm and 5 pm – 9 am shifts will be available for a new team member. This will comprise ~40 hours per fortnight to start and ~47 hours per fortnight during the maternity leave. Around December, in the first couple of months of the maternity leave period, there will also be additional shifts available on top of that, as other team members will be away.

Compensation and Training

Pay is at the Level 2.1 casual base rate, currently $45.28 per hour. Ongoing training is provided.

Requirements

All applicants should possess or be prepared to obtain:

• A valid driver’s licence and reliable vehicle
• A current NDIS worker screening check
• A current First Aid certificate
• A current Manual Handling certificate
• A current Assist with Medication certificate
• A current Enteral Feeding certificate
• A current Supporting Safe and Enjoyable Meals certificate (Dysphagia)