Personal Care Assistant required in BS13 34hrs p/w [Driving license essential] - BRISTOL - BS13
Job Reference (a45aa47b)
Hi, I’m Christina, I’m in my early 40’s, and I live in an upstairs flat with my cat.
My greatest passion is being outdoors in nature. I love animals, writing, painting and learning new things.
I would describe myself as quiet, but enthusiastic and fun-loving; resilient, responsible, determined, funny, creative, considerate and highly insightful.
I enjoy the company of others but I also need time on my own.
I have a neurological condition which limits my coordination, balance and mobility. I use a wheelchair, which is challenging in my current living environment which is not accessible. I also have complex mental health difficulties (Complex-PTSD, and a Dissociative Disorder) and am receiving long term art psychotherapy from NHS mental health services.
I require a Female Personal Care Assistant to support me with a wide variety of tasks including personal care, mental wellbeing, domestic duties (cleaning, cooking, organising my home), paperwork, accompanying me to hospital appointments, enabling me to get outside into nature, assisting me in accessing creative, sporting and social activities, providing companionship, and supporting my physical rehabilitation.
Tasks will include:
- Light domestic chores (eg hoovering, cleaning, laundry, changing sheets, putting food shop away, taking rubbish out)
- Assisting with re-organising and tidying my home to create accessibility, and maintaining my home and garden
- Enabling me to access nature and activities and accompanying me outside
- Assisting me to be as physically active as possible to improve physical and mental well-being but also
- Prompting me to rest when over-tired (I fatigue easily)
- Guiding or assisting me in physiotherapy and physical rehabilitation (at home, and at the disabled cycling centre and local swimming pool)
- Providing companionship: doing arts and crafts, games, conversation
- Assistance mobilising around my home and outside;
- Assistance with washing and dressing;
- Occasional assistance with catheter care (training will be provided)
- Budgeting support and assistance with other paperwork and phonecalls
- Cooking and helping to maintain good nutrition
- Prompting with medication, drinks and meals;
- Assisting with remembering everything I need to take with me when I go outside to ensure my physical safety and mental well-being
- Transporting me to and advocating for me at medical appointments
- Liaising with my mental health care team when necessary
- Empowering and assisting me to remain independent and autonomous of my own decisions and my home
A clean driving license and confidence on the road is essential. Access to a vehicle is desirable, but a small van can be provided during working hours for any driving tasks if this is preferable.
This is a very varied role and day to day tasks will change greatly depending on my needs. Some days I am bed-bound and will require you to provide nutritious meals, tidy up, play with the cat! and help me with personal hygiene; some days will involve trips out into nature, or going to the swimming pool or to the cycling centre; other days I may need companionship, emotional support, and someone to do painting, jigsaws, crafts or games with.
I also have frequent medical and hospital appointments to attend and need support to stay calm and to communicate with the consultants, and I will need you to take notes of what was discussed.
I’m looking for a kind, compassionate, and creative person who is able to both follow direction and use their own initiative. You must be able to cycle and swim, and enjoy physical activities and the outdoors. A calm, intuitive, mindful and respectful personality is required, as well as the ability to communicate skilfully. You must have an interest in, or experience of working with people with mental health difficulties.
A love of cats is also essential!
Up to 34 hours per week (job share for 2 PAs is desirable). Days, times and hours are negotiable. The ability to be flexible with the hours is essential, to be able to accompany me to non-routine medical appointments.
If the role is job shared then this gives greater opportunity for all my needs to be met, but one candidate would be considered if they met all the person specifications.
Full job description and person specification available upon request or application.
Note: the required availability indicated below is only for example, as hours can be negotiated and will change depending on medical appointments.
The rate of pay is £9.50 per hour, with statutory annual leave, statuary sick pay and pension benefits.
START DATE: February or March 2022
Role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check.
This advert complies with the Equality Act 2010 Part 1, schedule 9 as it is a ‘genuine occupational requirement’
Services
Meal Preparation
Personal Care
Domestic Care
Social + Leisure activities
Support to remain independent
Training
Essential PA Guide
Safeguarding Adults/Children
Moving & Handling
Food Hygiene
First Aid
Hand hygiene
Transportation
Full UK driving license
Own personal car
Medical
Safe Administration of Medication
Schedule, Pay & Hours
Time
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
ONA = Overnight Awake / ONS = Overnight Sleep