Support Worker

- Full Time and Part Time available

- Based in Brunswick

- salary packaging and other benefits

Your new organisation

At Merri Health, we strive to enrich diverse communities through the provision of quality health care and support services. A career at Merri will see you contributing to a culture that affects change for our clients and the wider community. We are committed to supporting the talent and skills of our employees because we know their capability is the key to our success.

Your new role

The Social Support Program (SSP) is designed to enhance people’s independence by promoting physical activity, cognitive stimulation, healthy nutrition, emotional wellbeing and social inclusion. SSP services are person centred and underpinned by the Wellness and Reablement principles and approach. The SSP is designed to support care relationships and the individual’s ability to remain living in the community by providing a range of enjoyable and meaningful activities.

Merri Health offers a range of centre and community based activities catering to the needs of frail older people, people with memory loss and their carers. Some of these programs are provided in a group setting, others may be offered as 1:1 supports. These services are compliant with legislative requirements, are provided in a safe environment and are responsive to participant needs, goals and aspirations.

Under the direction of the Leadership Team, the Support Worker is responsible for the day to day operations across all SSP service modalities based at various Merri Health sites, community venues or the client’s home. The Support Worker will use a person centred approach.

You will be responsible for

• Work across all SSP service modalities including centre & community based group programs, in home & community access individual support, group & individual telehealth activities.
• Provide a comfortable, safe and welcoming environment for clients
• Develop and maintain an environment that is cheerful, comfortable, clean and hygienic.
• Implement wellness and reablement based activities in a flexible and responsive manner.
• Ensure services are responsive to the decisions, choices, needs and aspirations of the individual.
• Ensure planning and support is tailored, flexible, responsive and appropriate to the individual.
• Encourage participants to participate in activities respecting diversity, individual interests and abilities.
• Identify and include participant's goals in activities as per care plan.
• Ensure clients’ individual needs are attended to, including personal care.
• Follow Merri Health Policies and Procedures relevant to medication.
• Monitor clients and report any concerns to the Program Supervisor or Program Leader in a timely manner.
• Respond to incidents and emergencies as per Policies and Procedures.
• Develop and review client care plans and goal plans.
• Participate in program planning, review and evaluation.
• Under direction of Program Supervisor, assist with planning and preparing for program activities.
• Enter client data and maintain case notes on client information management system.
• Maintain and enhance professional knowledge and technical skills by keeping up to date with new developments and relevant trends.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, funding guidelines, service standards and contractual obligations.

To succeed in this role you will have

• Formal qualifications in aged care services (including the Personal Care module).
• Knowledge of Wellness & Reablement principles and approach.
• Experience and skills in supporting people in the community sector and their families.
• High level interpersonal and communication skills.
• Computer literacy.
• Familiarity with the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) and Home Care Packages (HCP)
• A second language relevant to the area highly regarded (Italian, Turkish, Greek, Arabic).
• Food Safety qualifications.
• Knowledge of a relevant Client Information Management System.
• Current full Drivers Licence - and willingness to drive a minibus
• Current First Aid qualifications (level 2), including current CPR

What we offer

Please visit out 'work for us' page to learn more.

HOW TO APPLY

Please start by reviewing the position description. When you are ready to apply, please send through your CV and cover letter to Sue Findlay, Team Leader at sue.findlay@merrihealth.org.au.

Applications close 06/06/2024.

What else do I need to know

At Merri, diversity and inclusion is critical to everything that we do, we want everyone to be themselves regardless of their background, religion, sexual orientation, age or gender so we can truly reflect the communities that we work in. No matter how you identify, we encourage people from all backgrounds, abilities and identities to apply for our roles.