Personal Care Assistant

Location: SALISBURY, SA

Salary: Above Award

Job Type: Permanent position | Full time position

• Observe each client’s general health, mood, appetite, skin condition and mobility at every visit, and promptly escalate any deterioration, unusual signs or changes in condition to the supervising registered nurse or care coordinator.
• Assist clients with showering, bathing, grooming, dressing, oral hygiene, toileting and continence support, always protecting their privacy, dignity and personal preferences.
• Support safe mobility and transfers throughout the home and community, including correct use of walking frames, hoists, wheelchairs and other equipment, applying safe manual handling technique at all times.
• Contribute to the development, review and updating of individual care plans by sharing practical observations gathered during visits, so that the support we provide continues to match each client’s changing needs.
• Carry out the behaviour support and therapy strategies prescribed for clients living with dementia, cognitive decline or challenging behaviours, using calm redirection, familiar routines and other agreed techniques that reduce distress and keep the client settled.
• Prepare meals that suit each client’s dietary requirements, assist at mealtimes and encourage adequate nutrition and hydration, noting any difficulty with chewing, swallowing, appetite or fluid intake.
• Help clients complete prescribed rehabilitation and exercise routines, assist with basic treatments and support the delivery of medications in line with company policy and under the direction of the supervising registered nurse.
• Support clients who find communication difficult, including those with hearing, vision, speech or cognitive impairment, using patience and whichever communication aids or methods work best for that individual.
• Record and pass on any complaint, concern or piece of feedback raised by a client, family member or carer about the care being provided, following our complaints handling and escalation procedures so that matters are addressed quickly and openly.
• Assist clients recovering at home following a hospital admission or surgery by following the recovery instructions set by our nursing team, encouraging safe movement and reporting any complication at the earliest sign.
• Support our registered nurses during wound care visits, seasonal vaccination clinics and other clinical appointments by preparing the client and the setting, observing the client afterwards and reporting anything of concern.
• Provide practical help around the home, including light housekeeping, laundry, linen changes, tidying and simple pet care, so that clients remain in a clean, safe and comfortable living environment.
• Accompany clients on shopping trips, medical appointments, social outings and community activities, providing transport assistance and companionship that reduces isolation.
• Deliver scheduled daily visits and overnight care, including assistance with settling, repositioning and night time toileting for clients who need support outside standard hours.
• Provide respectful, culturally appropriate care to Department of Veterans’ Affairs clients and other funded clients in accordance with the relevant service arrangements.
• Contribute to specialised care assessments through detailed observation and reporting, and support referrals to allied health and other health practitioners where additional input is needed.
• Maintain accurate, timely and legible progress notes, visit records, handover notes and incident reports so that information flows reliably to the wider care team.
• Follow infection control, hygiene and work health and safety requirements in every home, including correct use of personal protective equipment and safe handling of clinical and general waste.
• Identify and report hazards, incidents, near misses and any indication of neglect, abuse or unsafe living conditions, in keeping with our safeguarding obligations.
• Build trusting, professional relationships with clients and their families, keep them informed about the support being delivered and treat all personal information as strictly confidential.
• Take part in team meetings, supervision sessions, toolbox discussions and ongoing training so that your skills stay current and our standard of care remains high.

Personal Attributes The person we are looking for will bring:

• Genuine compassion and patience with older people, people living with disability and people recovering from illness or surgery.
• A respectful approach that puts each client’s dignity, choice and independence first.
• Sharp observational skills and an eye for detail, particularly when noticing subtle changes in a client’s condition.
• Clear, warm communication with clients, families, nurses and coordinators.
• Reliability and punctuality, with an understanding that clients depend on visits happening exactly as scheduled.
• Emotional resilience and a calm, steady manner in unpredictable or distressing situations.
• Sound judgement and the confidence to raise concerns straight away rather than wait.
• Discretion, integrity and a firm grasp of professional boundaries and confidentiality.
• Physical fitness suited to personal care, manual handling and assisting clients with mobility.
• Cultural sensitivity and ease working with people from a wide range of backgrounds and life experiences.
• The self motivation to work independently in a client’s home while remaining a dependable member of the wider team.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing rosters, client needs and care plans.

Skills and Experience

• A minimum of one year of experience in personal care, aged care, disability support or a comparable in home or community care role.
• An AQF Certificate II or Certificate III in a relevant discipline such as Individual Support, Ageing Support, Disability or Health Services Assistance.
• Working knowledge of safe manual handling, infection control and work health and safety practice.
• Competent written and spoken English, with the ability to maintain accurate care records.
• A current National Police Clearance and relevant vulnerable people screening, or willingness to obtain.
• Current

First Aid and CPR certification, or willingness to obtain.

• A valid Australian driver’s licence and access to a reliable, insured vehicle.
• The right to work in Australia.