Employment-CSW

Community Support Worker

Reports to: Service Coordinator

Staff reporting to position: Nil

Job purpose

A Community Support Worker works as part of a team providing support to a group of people with disabilities living in or supported by one of Spectrum Care’s community homes.

The focus of this role is to assist people with disabilities to live in the community in a setting which promotes self-confidence, independence and choice.

This will involve:

Assisting people supported by the home to achieve and maintain an optimum state of wellness and safety
Assisting people to achieve opportunities and involvement in a lifestyle shared by family, friends and the community

Reporting to the Service Coordinator (and in partnership with other staff working in the home), the Community Support Worker will assist Spectrum Care in the achievement of the Vision, Mission and Values which are:

Vision: People with disabilities living great lives

Mission: To create the opportunity for the best possible quality of life and choice for people with disabilities

Values: Person-centred, Innovation, Commitment and Passion, Partnership, Excellence

Principal accountabilities

Develop individualised lifestyle plans for people with disabilities

Identify and implement Personal Outcomes Measures in partnership with service users in order to increase the range of opportunities and choices available to them
Develop, document, and evaluate life plans with each person and their friends, families and support networks
Regularly evaluate and report outcome progress

Assist people with disabilities to develop skills and independence

Encourage the people supported in the home to build increased levels of independence through responsive and individualised (person-centred) planning processes that include:

Support and encouragement to make informed choices, be involved in decisions and have control over their lives
Support to develop new skills through active support
Support to manage service users’ emotional and behavioural needs
Support to build and extend relationships and to develop networks in the community
Support to be part of the community and use a range of community facilities
Support to explore and develop spiritual and cultural needs
Support to carry out daily/weekly program of activities including accompanying and supporting people at work or in education
Support to have a lifestyle valued by themselves and society
Support to have opportunities to develop experience and competence
Support to actively participate in a wide range of constructive activities
Support to ensure people are treated with respect and dignity and that each individuals rights are adhered to
Support to maintain/build a network of relationships with family and friends
Support people to always feel included and valued

Develop individualised health/wellness plans with and for each person

Provide personal health cares as determined by the wellness plan and liaise with doctors and other health professionals to anticipate and where possible prevent the onset of illness or further impact of disability
Administer and document medication correctly. Understand the medication’s purpose and any side effects
Monitor and document health indicators daily. Complete monthly health reviews
Review health plans every 12 months or as individually needed

Assist people with disabilities to maintain their physical and emotional wellbeing

Assist people supported by the home with individual cares to ensure good personal hygiene, nutrition and physical appearance
Participate in the development and implementation of behavioural strategies where required, including all recording and reporting requirements
Assist people to be involved in community activities and to achieve their outcome goals

Assist in the daily operation of the home

Assist in household management. This will include cooking, cleaning, gardening, shopping, and paying accounts etc
Ensure that records associated with the above activities are accurate and up-to-date

Maintain a healthy, safe home by:

Identifying hazards, and working to eliminate, minimise, and isolate them
Raising issues about home maintenance as soon as they become necessary
Adequate planning for out of home activities to ensure safety of all

Contribute to positive team functioning

Build constructive partnerships with others involved in the provision and improvement of services
Share workload with, and support and respect other team members
Participate in organisational forums, such as training and quality improvement (CQI) groups
Use organisational policies and procedures to inform day by day activities
Communicate important issues using appropriate forms of written documentation

Minimum appointment criteria

Generally, a full current class 1 drivers licence essential and the candidate must be able to drive a manual car and/or van. However, should the prospective employee have genuine special needs due to a particular disability, Spectrum will take all reasonable steps to accommodate this in the provision of appropriate vehicle and/or vehicle modifications.
Must be able to work shift-work including weekends
Must be prepared to attend Spectrum Care training programmes
Satisfactory criminal and traffic infringements record

Formal qualification/education level

A certificate in Human Services (or equivalent) is an advantage; or
A commitment to participate and succeed in study towards a CSW Level 3 qualification

Work experience

Previous experience in supporting people with disabilities is preferred.

Values-based competencies

Person-centred. Has a genuine desire to work with and support people with an intellectual disability and is committed to the provision of individualised services and support
Commitment and Passion. Highly motivated and energetic. Takes a high level of personal responsibility, relishes a challenge and remains enthusiastic despite setbacks
Innovation. Embraces change and contributes new ideas
Excellence. Constantly strives to be the best. Goal oriented, seeking opportunities to improve personal and team performance
Partnership. Readily shares knowledge and skill. Possesses the interpersonal skills to create rapport and work effectively with other individuals and groups to achieve objectives

Role-specific competencies

Emotional maturity. Displays maturity by making good decisions even in difficult situations. Has a relaxed even temperament and is resilient in the face of obstacles and set backs
Communication skills. Is able to express themselves, both orally and in writing, in a clear and understandable manner. Uses valuing language
Self-organisation. Well organised. Ensures tasks are carried out in a planned and methodical manner. Displays good time management.
Assertive. Can influence and direct others in a positive and constructive manner. Direct deals with colleagues to effectively resolve situations. Gives feedback
Able to provide personal cares such as bathing, dressing, toileting
Domestic skills. Can prepare nutritious meals, maintain a clean and tidy environment, and make cost-effective purchase decisions
Basic numeracy and literacy. Can maintain documentation and perform basic budgeting and accounting
Basic computer skills. Can operate a computer, produce a word document, email and navigate websites
Physically fit to undertake a moderately active role

Email: jobs@spectrumcare.org.nz

Download current vacancies: Job Board – August 2009

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