Are you looking to join a friendly and dedicated team who is committed and supported? Are you looking to make a difference to people in our care? Then you should apply for this role. Please note that it is a requirement that staff working in a residential aged care environment, be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at time of commencing employment.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Position Title: Allied Health Assistant
Location: Dellacourt
Status: PPT 21 hours per week
Award: The Lutheran Aged Care Albury, NSWNMA and HSU NSW Enterprise Agreement (as Amended)
Reporting to: Facility Manager
Last Reviewed: January 2021
Lutheran Aged Care - Overview
Lutheran Aged Care (LAC) Albury is a significant service organisation providing a range of aged care services across a number of facilities and the community designed to meet customer needs. LAC is an independently run, Not for Profit Company primarily funded by the Commonwealth. The organisation has a business structure incorporating the Lutheran Church of Australia (NSW district), the Board of Governance and Chief Executive Officer. Reporting to this structure is Administration & Finance, Hotel Services, Property & Maintenance, Pemberton View and Nicholson Park Retirement Villages, Support Services (including pastoral care and volunteer coordination), Home Care, Dellacourt, Yallaroo and Emily Gardens locations. LAC employs approximately 340 staff (including casuals) comprising nursing, personal care, allied health, maintenance, management and administrative staff.
Role Objective
The Mobility and Independence Assistant is responsible for assisting individuals to maintain a healthy lifestyle through the delivery of activity programs and equipment needs to support the provision of high quality care for residents in line with Lutheran Aged Care’s Mission, Philosophy and Values. The Mobility and Independence Assistant will assist in the development, implementation and evaluation of programs in consultation with the Clinical staff. In addition, the Mobility and Independence Assistant will ensure that recognised Work Practices are adhered to in line with quality and accreditation standards and LAC Policies and Work Practices.
Key Result Areas & Responsibilities
Resident Assessment & Allied Health Programs
- Provide Independence and Mobility support to ensure residents receive safe, effective and appropriate care interventions in the area of promoting independence, safe mobility and transfers.
- In conjunction with other staff, resident, family members and a multidisciplinary team and under the supervision of senior clinical staff, plan and communicate care interventions based on a comprehensive assessment of resident needs.
- Assist in programs to support and encourage the unique individuality, functionality, privacy and dignity of all residents and clients.
- Provide person centred individual care to residents as required to support the team.
- Monitor resident condition; report on changes to appropriate nursing staff and undertake appropriate actions.
- Implement initiatives designed to maintain or improve the quality of care and the quality of life outcomes for the resident.
- Act as a resident advocate to assist individuals to make choices and informed decisions.
- Manage the handover of resident issues to Unit Managers and care staff.
- Maintain the confidentiality, dignity and respect of residents at all times.
- Actively participate in accreditation audits and ensure Mobility and Independence activities in the workplace comply with accreditation requirements.
Compliance & Systems
- Ensure that systems that are in place are utilised to document resident care needs in line with LAC policy and government requirements.
- Actively evaluate relevant Mobility and Independence services and assist to develop systems to enhance the standards of care.
- In conjunction with the Facility Manager, monitor and review care and service Policies and Work Practices in line with standards.
- Participate in the development, implementation and evaluation of contemporary practice in response to clinical issues identified within the facility.
- Actively participate in and implement continuous improvement and quality processes.
- Effectively utilise management systems to accurately record and research data.
- Ensure the upkeep of the environment is maintained through regular equipment and environment inspections and reporting systems as part of your Work Health and Safety Duty.
- Ensure equipment is in good working order, utilising maintenance systems to promptly report any defects or need for replacement.
Human Resources
- Provide learning and development opportunities in consultation with the Staff Development Officer for staff to enhance their skills and knowledge as requested.
- In conjunction with the Facility Manager and Human Resources Manager when requested, resolve issues relating to the performance and/or behaviour of staff in compliance with relevant laws and Policies.
- Knowledge
- Maintain a thorough knowledge of contemporary mobility and independence issues relating to the aged care industry.
- Maintain an understanding of the Aged Care Act 1997, Health Services Act (NSW), Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act (NSW) (1998), Nurses Act (NSW) (1991), Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act (2000), Guardianship Act (NSW) and the Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI).
- Maintain knowledge of Work Health and Safety legislation and relevant Workers’ Compensation / rehabilitation legislation.
- Maintain thorough knowledge of LAC’s policies and work practices including those related to employment conditions.
Work Health & Safety
- Take reasonable care for his / her own WHS ensuring that actions or omissions do not adversely affect the WHS of others in the workplace.
- Manage and ensure the Work Health and Safety of all staff, residents, visitors, volunteers and work experience participants.
- Understand the operations and general hazards / risks in the workplace and monitor performance regarding incidents, hazards and risks.
- Ensure mechanisms exist for consultation with staff regarding WHS issues.
- Consult with staff and take into account their opinions prior to making a WHS related decision.
- Lead by an example and provide visible commitment to WHS and procedures.
- Contribute to the ongoing development of WHS procedures.
- Participate in the development of formal Disaster and Emergency Management plans.
- Manage and respond to disasters and emergencies to ensure the WHS of everyone.
- Monitor staff compliance and attend specific WHS meetings, training sessions and related events as requested.
- Control the work environment and take immediate action to rectify any unsafe situations or acts.
- Consult, cooperate and coordinate activities with external agency staff or representatives of another organisation.
- Liaise with WorkCover inspectors, union representatives, insurers and external return to work coordinators.
- Immediately advise the Facility Manager and Human Resources Manager of staff injuries, serious incidents and other incidents.
- Consult with residents and families regarding the WHS implications of housekeeping and any equipment, appliances or personal items brought into the facility.
- Support injured staff working under return-to-work programs.
- Maintain equipment safety through recognised maintenance systems.
Team
- Participate as an active team member in department initiatives and projects as directed.
- Provide assistance to other team members as identified.
- All other duties as reasonably requested.
Personal Qualities
- Honesty, initiative, reliability and discretion
- Leadership, cooperation and team participation
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Empathy and consideration for older persons
- Willingness to develop professionally
- Self motivation and organisation
- Flexibility and responsiveness
Selection Criteria
Essential
1. Certificate III or IV in Allied Health or related field.
2. Experience working with a multi-disciplinary team to provide positive outcomes in aged care.
3. Demonstrated knowledge of contemporary issues relating to the aged care industry.
4. Current knowledge and experience with the ACFI and accreditation standards.
5. Ability to plan work, establish priorities and service standards and delegate effectively.
6. Well developed written and verbal communication skills with the ability to relate effectively to a wide range of people.
7. Well developed problem solving skills.
8. Demonstrated commitment to maintain and developing professional skills.
9. Well developed computer skills.
Desirable
1. Further education in Aged Care.
2. Experience utilising Resident Management software (Leecare etc).
Relationships
This role has specific responsibility to develop strong internal and external relationships to facilitate the effective management of the role. Key relationships include:
Internal – Care Staff including Registered and Enrolled Nurses, Lifestyle staff, Facility Manager, Hotel Services Staff, Maintenance Staff and all levels of management.
External – Residents and family members, medical practitioners and other external allied health providers, hospitals, pharmacies, contractors, temporary staff, community networks and Aged Care Regulatory bodies and their representatives.
Lutheran Aged Care Albury has been looking after people in the Albury area since 1959. We are committed to service excellence and care for people. inspired by our values. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer who employ people based on their merits and passion for caregiving.
