Disability Support Worker Position - Join My Team!

Are you looking for a flexible and challenging role in the disability sector? I’m seeking a disability support worker to join my care team in Melbourne CBD.

About Me

I’m a feisty woman in my early 30s living in Melbourne CBD. I’m passionate about human rights, inclusion, accessibility, and service dogs (and there’s a new service dog in my near future). I enjoy learning, debating, coding, talking, advocating, musicals, history, action movies, horses, and making jokes about able-bodied people. I’m also developing a small business.

Due to my disability, I need assistance with daily activities like getting in and out of bed, showering, toileting, dressing, and other personal care tasks. I use a power wheelchair and various disability equipment.

Every day is a bit different for me due to chronic pain, fatigue, and neurodiversity. I need support that adapts to how I’m feeling – helping me do things for myself on good days and helping me save energy on bad days.

Direct Employment

My partner, who lives in the apartment above, also has a disability. He and I work together to use NDIS funding to directly employ support workers. We choose direct employment to recruit, train, and manage our own team of staff. There’s no obnoxious third-party agency involved; I will be your client and your employer/manager. Our team is covered by WorkCover insurance and the SCHADS award.

About the Role

Job Title: Disability Support Worker (Personal Care)
Type of Employment: Casual
Location: Melbourne CBD

This isn’t your typical disability support job. I insist on a high degree of choice and control over how and when support is provided. You will work shifts lasting 4-8 hours each, 2-3 times per week, totaling 9-24 hours per week depending on your availability. You will work with me in my apartment and sometimes travel with me to my work, appointments, and other events.

Responsibilities include:
- Studying my care plans and asking questions to develop your understanding of my needs, abilities, preferences, and goals.
- Applying person-centred practices in providing support.
- Basic and Complex Personal Care Assistance for my daily activities of living.
- Physically assisting with mobility and self-care (including equipment-assisted manual handling).
- Communicating clearly and honestly during and about the provision of support.
- Performing other tasks as required.

If you need placement hours for your course, I am happy to liaise with your institution to have your work count as a placement (subject to course rules).

Training

You will be paid for participating in training, including:
- 3-9 shadow shifts where you observe or work alongside an existing support worker.
- E-learning modules developed by me.
- Training from professionals like a physiotherapist or neuropsychologist, as needed.

Requirements

- The right to work in Australia.
- Competent in English
- A growth mindset.
- Self-confidence
- Great communication skills.
- Patience.
- Must like dogs.
- A sense of humour

Upon Acceptance, you will need:
- A National Police Record Check or International Criminal History Check (if you’ve lived in another country for over 6 months when aged 18 or older).
- A current First Aid Certificate.

How to Apply

Send your resume or CV to [email protected] and tell me about yourself. Include a brief explanation of why you think you’re suited to the role. Suitable applicants will receive more detailed information about me and the job and the opportunity to ask questions.