Job Title: Personal Assistant

Location: Findon Valley, Worthing

Hourly rate: £14.01

Reference: DP1469c

Hours/shifts: ASAP

Mondays – 8am – 4.30/5pm to work 2:1

Tuesdays – 3pm – 7pm (to cover maternity leave until next April)

Ideally someone who would also have availability to work additional shifts in the week and at weekends when needed.

Summary:

Would you like to smile more and laugh lots? Do you like listening to silly songs and being just a little bit crazy? Are you looking for that unique care role where you will have bags of fun whilst also making a huge difference in the life of a young individual and their family? Would you like to join a small, friendly team of PAs who work together and care for each other as they support a 20-year-old young lady at home and out in the community? Are you conscientious, fun loving and reliable? Would you like to work in a team where you will feel valued, supported and appreciated? If so, we would love to hear from you. Come and meet us for an informal chat, say “hello” to George the orangutan! and find out just how much fun a PA role can be.

Other Requirements

"Exemption is claimed under the Equality Act 2010 Part 1 Schedule 9."

Non-smoker preferred or someone who is willing to refrain from smoking during working hours.

Must have a UK driving licence.

All applicants must be willing to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check.

Successful applicants will be entitled to Holiday pay and will be issued employment contracts.

Description:

Our daughter is a happy individual who has a small, highly supportive team of PAs who help her (and George) with all aspects of daily living. She enjoys accessing the community and has a timetable of varied and fun activities. She is known to the team at Chailey Heritage where she loves to go swimming, bounce in trampoline rebound sessions, and cook up all sorts of varied and interesting dishes in cooking classes. She accesses sensory music and story classes locally and enjoys music therapy. Her PAs support her in her timetable by driving her in her wheelchair accessible vehicle and helping her in the activities. She also loves to go to the theatre – especially for a good musical – enjoys popping out for a piece of cake and a drink or eating out for lunch or dinner! She enjoys trying to beat you at bowling, visiting well known days-out attractions, going to the cinema, or simply chilling with an ice-cream and walk along the prom in the summer.

Her PAs, with whom she has built up very close relationships, also help her with her personal care in the mornings and evenings and throughout the day. They have very special bonds, enjoy a good laugh and have lots of fun together. We are now ready to expand her team to include new PAs who she (and George) can get up to even more mischief with!

Typical duties

Domestic -

At mealtimes -ensuring food is the correct temperature / assistance to eat / giving oral medication

Personal Care:

Dressing and undressing. Brushing hair.

Washing and cleaning teeth.

Showering / drying / drying hair.

Hoisting in and out of wheelchair and bed.

Hoisting in and out of toilet chair. Performing Peristeen bowel washouts.

Catheterising through a Mytroffanoff.

Administering fluids through a Mini button gastrostomy using a syringe and feeding pump.

Cleaning of Mini button gastrostomy.

Administering medication including emergency medication for seizures.

Social:

Taking our daughter out to access activities in the community. This would involve driving the employer’s wheelchair accessible vehicle and pushing the wheelchair.

Person specification

The successful applicant will be:

Female * due to personal care needs

Respectful of the employer’s privacy and confidentiality

Reliable with good time-keeping

Able to both follow instructions and work on own initiative

Hygienic, tidy minded and well organised

Fit and healthy to undertake the required duties

Patient and possess excellent interpersonal skills

Honest and cheerful

Full of enthusiasm with a good sense of humour

Creative

Able to speak and read English to a reasonable standard

Legally permitted to work in the United Kingdom

Able to work at all times to high standards of Health & Safety

Previous experience preferred but this is not as essential as a kind and common sense approach to these roles. A full range of training will be provided.