Job Title: Life style Support Worker
Location: Tasmania
Selection Criteria
SC1. Demonstrated ability to train / orientate new employees to undertake a range of
direct personal care tasks ensuring such tasks are performed safely, and the person’s
dignity is upheld.
As a lead support worker for Langford Support Services a component of my role is to mentor
and train new staff that join the company. I have developed a very effective method of
ensuring that all new staff are trained in the same manner and to the highest of standards
as expected by the company. During their initial weeks with us they are put through a very
intense training regime which involves me taking them out to client’s places or being
buddied up with another experienced staff member for the same. The new staff members
are trained in how to work with the clients in their homes and how to always be sensitive
and empathetic toward their needs. Practical experience is the best way to learn and is the
major component within the initial training period.
In regard to working with clients and my approach to personal care. When I am working
with a client I am constantly in verbal contact with them encouraging and reassuring them
of what I am doing and what will follow. This enables the client to be aware of what is
happening at all stages and eliminates them worrying about things. It also gives them an
opportunity to adjust to small changes and to verbally express their feelings or discuss other
options for taking care of their personal needs. I find that this method works very well as it
allows the client to maintain their dignity and not feel violated or forced to cooperate with
elements of care that they may otherwise find very invasive.
SC2. Demonstrated ability to plan and co-ordinate skills development programs within an
individualised and person-centred framework, and report on achieved progress and
issues.
When I am assigned with a new client the first thing that happens is that I read through their
file so I am completely aware of their history, medical conditions previous care and any
other factors that may impact the level, type and method in which I provide care for them.
My clients have a mixture of disabilities, including intellectual, short term memory loss, bi-
polar, schizophrenia and ADHD, supporting my clients with day to day living. I prepare and
implement a variety of programs which allow my client to participate and to take charge of
regular duties with my support. These may consist of everyday menial tasks such as
shopping, household tasks, meal preparation and menu planning, guided with personal care.
When working for Langford support care a new client was put in my charge. This particular
client had recently been given a physiotherapy care plan to ensure that her mobility was
maintained at a certain level to help her feel more comfortable. In conjunction with the
physiotherapist I sat down and discussed the plan of action and how it was to be
implemented.
Through regular contact with the physiotherapist we were able to help this particular client
to remain active and to keep her mobility at a good level. Part of the process was to
continuously report on updates, progress which included completing computerised records
on the frequency, length, pain threshold and other factors which factored into the overall
success of the plan and whether there are obvious signs of improvement.
SC3. Possess excellent interpersonal skills, and proficient documentation skills.
I have the ability to engage with people in face to face interaction of through written
communication and verbal communication over the phone.
This is clearly demonstrated in everyday activities and shifts. During the period of a shift
changeover I am required to ensure that all relevant information on what has transpired
during the course of my shift is communicated to on-coming staff. This is done through a
process of combined events. Through the use of good verbal communication skills I convey
to the on-coming staff member what has occurred with each client during the day, this is
backed up by accurate written records for each client with times, dates and signed. This
includes all interactions which have occurred, including incidents, behavioural or other
challenges and how they were handled. The charts and records all record all medication
times, bodily functions and any other relevant information.
The medical record is updated at real time. As medications are given to clients their records
are updated immediately. This eliminates the possibility of forgetting to record what has
happened and either missing or doubling up on medication doses and times. This
information is also conveyed to on-coming staff during the changeover period. I ensure that
all the information is clearly understood by gaining acknowledgement from the other staff
member.
As I work with clients who often present with challenging circumstances and unique
qualities which may impact on their ability to understand, verbalise and communicated I
have developed excellent interpersonal and social skills. I liaise with my clients in plain
English using a calm and reassuring voice tone. This comforts my clients and allows them to
feel comfortable and safe whilst in my care.
SC4. Demonstrated ability to work autonomously and as part of a team.
As a support worker for Landford Support Services I am given a list of clients which are in my
charge. The managing of my workload is left up to me provided that I ensure that all clients
are given the due care and attention that they are entitled and deserve to have.
I sit down at the start of every shift and work out a plan for the daily activities. During the
course of the day’s events circumstances change and I am often required to alter the
routine without compromising on the quality of care given to all my clients.
A major component of my work in carried out is care homes where I may have multiple
clients that are in my care during a shift. My role requires me to work and communicate
effectively with colleagues, doctors, nurses, and family members of clients ensuring that
each and every one of them is aware of what is happening and that relevant information is
shared so that care is not compromised. I am very passionate about the care that I provide
and take great pride in ensuring that work is carried out seamlessly.
SC5. Possess relevant qualifications, training and / or experience within the human
services sector.
As a trained and experienced support worker with over 7 years of practical application and
work in the industry I am well trained and versed in working with clients with various
degrees of disability.
I am currently studying towards my Certificate III in Disability Services which will provide me
with bountiful theoretical knowledge which I will be able to apply to daily duties enabling
me to provide a better service to my clients.
Over the course of my career I have gained experience both practical and theoretical studies
which have included a Certificate III in Children’s Services and a Certificate in Autism and
Dyslexia. I have found these to be valuable tools in assisting me to provide, identify and
resolve challenges that occur during daily tasks and duties.
My work experience has allowed to gain skills in day support services which includes going
out with a client one-on-one for the day providing support for them in any way that they
need, whether emotional or physical. You will also note that I have an abundance of
experience working with clients who suffer from various disabilities in community care,
respite care and group homes.
SC6. Demonstrated ability to work a flexible range of shifts.
In providing disability care I am required to be very flexible with my availability, being able
to work a variety of shifts which includes early mornings, day shifts and night-shifts on a 7
day rotating roster, with the option for call-ins.
I am also required on occasion to remain with a client on an overnight shift. There are two
types of overnights shifts which I work. The first being a standard sleep over shift where I
am required to remain with the client in their home for the evening however I have the
flexibility of going to sleep whilst the client is sleeping and the second type is for clients who
suffer from more serious disabilities. This shift involves staying with the client overnight
however I am awake for the entire shift ensuring that the client has a restful evening free of
events. This type of shift is usually with clients who suffer from severe epilepsy seizures or
other disabilities that require a person to remain alert should a seizure or incident occur,
ensuring that the client remains safe.
SC7. Possess First-Aid and Medication Assistance certification, Driver’s Licence and a
National Police History Check / National Police Certificate.
Due to the nature of my job it is essential I remain current in all my certificates which relate
to providing safe, top quality care for my clients.
I am a certified senior first aid officer with CPR and defibrillator certification. This is current
and renewed on an as-required basis to ensure that it is always current. I also possess a
medication assistance certification which allows me to administer mediations to clients.
Part of this certification ensure that I am able to maintain accurate records of times and
dosages for clients. Some of my patients have medical conditions in which they are unable
to eat or chew food in the normal manner. In order to sustain life we as carers are required
to feed them in an alternative manner. I am experienced and trained in this method of care
which is known as Peg feeding. I am also trained in working with clients who suffer from
diabetes.
I undergo regular police checks to maintain my certification and the most recent one was
completed in March 2015. With experience in driving and operating a large wheelchair
transport vehicle for clients, I am also licenced to drive a standard vehicle with a c-class
manual licence.
SC8. Possess a practical understanding of the issues associated with acquired brain injury
and best practice strategies to address these needs.
When working as a support officer for Able Austral I worked with a gentleman who had an
acquired brain injury. During a severe motor bike injury this gentleman was unfortunate in
loosing half of his brain. Some of the major affects which he had to deal with were loss of
memory and learning to deal with the challenges of life in a different manner.
Through my experience I learnt that working with people with acquired brain injuries was an
individual thing, however the major challenges that these clients needed to overcome were
emotional, physical and personal ones on how to cope with life and how to accustom to the
changes that were required in order to function as part of society. Challenging behaviour
often accompanied this process due to the frustration that accompanied the process of
learning new methods to do things.
I needed to work with this client on a regular basis to help him build up body function and
movements, and how to relate and find a place in life. Often I found the biggest challenge
was the mental anguish of having to learn everything from fresh again.
The best strategy involved a combination of rehabilitation which enabled the client to learn
new methods of doing this which allowed him to maintain maximum independence,
physical, mental and social ability and to remain an actively participant in all aspects of life.
I found that patience and positive reinforcement were two very effective methods that
allowed the client to learn and to understand new concepts.
Individual support plans or IPS’s need to be created for individuals which are tailored
around each person’s particular circumstances. By doing this it gives carers and the client
the best possible change of recovery to the best ability.
