Personal Assistant for Independent Living Support

What will the job involve?

As a Personal Assistant, you will provide assistance to enable independent living.

To summarise, the job will involve helping with daily living tasks, including personal care, household work and other general mobility assistance.

The personal care will involve full support with the physical assisted transfer and personal hygiene required for toileting, showering and other personal care tasks.

Please note:

Your work will also include providing emergency support as and when needed. This will require excellent awareness and assessment of the situation, followed by quick and calm action to resolve the emergency, all in a matter of seconds.

You must be comfortable and able to fully resolve these emergencies on your own, by applying techniques passed on to you during your employer’s training.

What skills and qualities are needed?

• Excellent all round communicator, with the ability to listen carefully to what is required and communicate clearly with the employer at all times. This enables you to work accurately, safely and with expressed consent of what the employer has asked for.

• Patience, efficiency and work ethic are integral qualities you’ll already have.

• You’ll be able to undertake tasks both supervised and unsupervised, as instructed, to a high standard.

• You have a professional and positive attitude towards your employer, work and at all times respect persons in your working environment.

• You’ll respect your employer’s lifestyle and respect boundaries to maintain a professional working relationship.

• You’ll also be flexible as and when the employer asks for changes in your working habits.

• You must be a non-smoker and free from any use of substances.

• You have physical fitness, stamina and strength . This is a physically demanding job and it’s important you have the skills to maintain your well being and strength both in the role, and in your own life.

• You have excellent personal hygiene and follow the employer’s hygiene protocols all around.

• You’ll also have excellent skills in the kitchen with using gas hobs safely, avoiding burns when dealing with hot items, using sharp kitchen utensils without injury and following the employer’s food safety protocol.

• You’ll be honest and timely in all aspects of your work, acting at all times act in your employer’s best interests, according solely to what your employer determines is in their best interest.

• You understand and maintain privacy and confidentiality in all areas of work. All confidential information such as addresses and mobile numbers must be kept confidential outside working hours and deleted at the end of your employment.

What experience is needed?

No prior experience is required , only a willingness to learn, be committed and have good work ethic. All practical skills will be taken into account.

Preference is given to those without care industry experience - it’s often easier to pick up a new routine, than relearn an entire way of working from what you’ve used to!

What are the working hours?

Weekly hours will be around 20-30, and will increase to around 45 during busier periods.

Flexibility regarding hours of work is a requirement . This includes working evenings and weekends and overnights.

Shifts may run overtime or the employer may need to change the requested hours to meet their needs. All hours worked will be paid at the same rate.

Will I receive training?

Training will be provided by the employer, during this time you will have less working hours and overnights will not be requested.

Moving and handling training for hoisting maybe helpful and if you’re interested, you can take the initiative to complete the course yourself.

The employer must be confident you are able to do overnight work as requested and required. Working exclusively overnight shifts is not possible. There will be statutory resting periods between all shifts, and during all shifts.

How do I apply?

To apply, send over your CV, cover letter and 3 referees for the employer to contact.

If your application is complete and no further information is required, the next stage would involve interviews. Please note that only selected candidates will go ahead with interviews.

Please note:

If you are successful, you will be asked to apply for a PVG application through Disclosure Scotland at your own cost. This must be countersigned by the employer.

Important details:

This work is suitable for recent graduates and those with graduate Visas.

The employer cannot offer sponsorship or work Visas.

Workwear:

There will be a dress code - it is likely you’ll have appropriate clothing and footwear but any extra purchases would be the employee’s responsibility.

PPE such as gloves will be provided by the employer. Generally Covid masks are not required except in specific circumstances.

Contract:

Please note there is a 6 month probationary period. Contracts will be renewed regularly on a yearly basis, after the first year.

Thanks for your interest in the role and all the best with your application.