MPM1125 Personal Assistant

Dewis Centre for Independent Living; Pontypridd; On-site; GBP 16,000 - 21,000; Part time

Job summary

Dewis Centre for Independent Living is seeking a part-time Personal Assistant to support a man in his own home in Pontypridd. You will work as part of a small team to assist with daily living tasks, monitoring health and safety, and providing companionship.

Shifts include overnight waking nights and tea-time calls, with potential extra hours as required. DBS disclosure and right to work checks apply; driving is optional but not essential.

Qualifications

• DBS disclosure required and references checked.
• Right to work in the UK.
• Willingness to work overnight shifts if required.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safety and wellbeing of the client at all times.
• Monitor breathing during sleep and respond to seizures or choking.
• Assist with personal care, meal prep, hydration, and medication administration.
• Record and hand over shift notes and any concerns to the next caregiver.
• Provide general household support and light cleaning as required.

Job description

I'm a man in my 60's with complex learning and health needs. My care is monitored 24/7 because I cannot do anything without assistance. You will be working as part of a small team of PAs to assist me in my own home.

I need assistance with all my daily living needs including but not limited to feeding, moving, walking, personal hygiene and medication. I am unsteady on my feet and prone to falls. If I'm left unsupervised for any amount of time there is a high risk I will come to harm myself.

I live by myself but my sister visits often and provides a lot of my care needs. I have chronic insomnia and sometimes I walk around my bungalow through the night. I also have epilepsy is uncontrolled which can happen at any time and sometimes I could have a number of seizures one after the other. I am non-verbal but I have a cheeky sense of humour and I have a good level of understanding but can sometimes can be unable to respond to commands., 20 hours per week, to complete overnight stays 8pm-8am (waking nights) and tea calls 4pm-8pm. Remaining hours used as and when required.

You must be willing to cover sickness and annual leave which could include day hours and waking overnights. More can be discussed at interview.

RATE OF PAY

£15.25 per hour

TASKS INVOLVED

• Ensuring my safety and well-being at all times in relation to the following -
• Whilst I sleep you will regularly monitor my breathing and comfort
• I tend to put inedible objects in my mouth so need supervision to prevent this happening
• Monitor me for seizures and choking
• Support me through a seizure. This will include but not limited to ensuring the space around me is safe by removing any dangerous objects in my space, cushion my head with soft padding if possible, stay with me and calmly talk to me until I recover, monitor my breathing and the length of the seizure, call 999 if in doubt
• Interpreting my nonverbal cues and acting appropriately to my request/need. Seeking my consent prior to any action
• Reassuring me when I am anxious
• General and basic meal prep and providing drinks as and when needed. Assisting me with both of these tasks as I have difficulty chewing and swallowing; ensuring I do not choke whilst swallowing
• Assisting me with my bathing, toileting and hygiene needs - ie: personal care
• Monitoring general health - chest infections, eye care, mouth care, skin markings, pressure sores
• Assisting me to take daily medication such as Buccal midazolam. Medication must be taken on time, as prescribed by the GP
• Accurate recording and filing of a range of medical information as appropriate; ie MARs reports for medication. Training will be given by an authorised professional in order to handle and manage my medication
• Support with bowel care and general toileting - prompting to use the toilet, thorough cleaning, applying barrier cream for skin integrity
• Ensuring varied diet and hydration to aid overall health and well-being
• Keeping a shift log of all that's happened during shift, especially the nature and duration of a possible seizure
• Doing a shift handover after each shift; inform the next PA of any concerns, mood, and particular action to be taken.
• General support around the house which could include general household cleaning, laundry, mopping floors, wiping down surfaces, vacuuming, general tidying as required
• If you work an overnight (casual hours/very rarely) you will be awake the entire shift to monitor my safety. I tend to walk around in the night so you must be awake and alert to monitor what I am doing.
• Not essential - A driver with driver's license as there may be the odd occasion you will use my mobility car to take me to appointments or other activities

ABOUT THE JOB

This position is subject to satisfactory references and a DBS Disclosure (Police Check), which must be completed prior to the commencement of employment. The cost of this check will be covered by the Local Authority.

All necessary checks will be conducted to verify that any candidate has the legal right to work in the UK before employment begins.

Although this is a part-time role, it is a legitimate position requiring the submission of a National Insurance number. Employment will commence under an initial trial period.

Wages will be paid on a monthly basis and appropriate holiday pay will be provided.

Please note: Dewis Centre for Independent Living is acting on behalf of a third party and will not serve as your employer or be liable for any issues arising from your employment should you be offered the position.