MPM1125 Personal Assistant

Dewis Centre for Independent Living; Pontypridd; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A support organization is seeking a Personal Assistant in Pontypridd to provide essential daily living assistance. Responsibilities include monitoring health, aiding with personal hygiene, and supporting through medical conditions. Ideal candidates should be reliable and caring, with some experience preferred. The role offers flexible part-time hours and is crucial for the individual's safety and well-being.

Benefits

DBS Disclosure covered

Monthly wage with holiday pay

Qualifications

• Experience in a caring role is beneficial.
• Understanding of seizures is beneficial.
• Mature and well-experienced in life is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist with daily living needs including personal care and medication.
• Monitor breathing during sleep.
• Support through seizures and ensure safety.

Skills

Reliability

Flexibility

Positive outlook

Good sense of humour

Job description

A LITTLE ABOUT MYSELF

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 which is uncontrolled and can happen at any time, sometimes resulting in multiple seizures. I am non‑verbal but have a cheeky sense of humour and a good level of understanding, though I may sometimes be unable to respond to commands.

PLACE OF WORK

At my home in Pontypridd.

HOURS OF WORK

16 hours per week. Worked as 4‑hour shifts, which can include weekday/weekend/evening. You must be willing to cover sickness and annual leave which could include day hours and overnights or a waking night – more details to be discussed at interview.

RATE OF PAY

£14.25 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 – ensuring the space around me is safe, removing any dangerous objects, cushioning my head with soft padding if possible, staying with me and calmly talking until I recover, monitoring breathing and seizure duration, calling 999 if in doubt.
• Interpret my non‑verbal cues and act appropriately to my requests/needs, seeking consent prior to action.
• Reassure me when I am anxious.
• General and basic meal prep and providing drinks as needed. Assist with chewing and swallowing, ensuring I do not choke.
• Assist with bathing, toileting and hygiene needs – i.e. personal care.
• Monitor general health – chest infections, eye care, mouth care, skin marks, pressure sores.
• Assist with daily medication such as buccal midazolam – medication must be taken on time, as prescribed by the GP.
• Accurately record and file a range of medical information, e.g. MARs reports for medication. Training will be given by an authorised professional to handle my medication.
• Support with bowel care and general toileting – prompting to use the toilet, thorough cleaning, applying barrier cream for skin integrity.
• Ensure varied diet and hydration to aid overall health and well‑being.
• Keep a shift log of all that happens during the shift, especially the nature and duration of any seizure.
• Do a shift handover after each shift; inform the next PA of concerns, mood, and any particular actions required.
• General support around the house which could include cleaning, laundry, mopping floors, wiping surfaces, vacuuming, and tidying as required.
• If you work an overnight (casual/rare) shift, you will be awake the entire shift to monitor my safety. I tend to walk around at night, so you must be alert to monitor me.
• Not essential – a driver with a licence as there may be an odd occasion when you use my mobility car to take me to appointments or activities.

TYPE OF PERSON REQUIRED

• You must be reliable and flexible.
• You have a good sense of humour.
• You have a positive outlook.
• You respect privacy and confidentiality when working in someone else’s home.
• Experience in a caring role would be beneficial, but not essential.
• An understanding of seizures will be beneficial.
• Mature and well‑experienced in life is strongly preferred.

ABOUT THE JOB

This position is subject to satisfactory references and a DBS Disclosure (Police Check), which must be completed prior to commencement. 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.