About the Employer

The employer is a gentle, easy to get on with, disabled woman in her early fifties with a positive outlook on life. She wishes to be as independent as she can and live life to the full but needs help to make this possible. She is a physically disabled single woman who needs assistance with most aspects of daily living. This lady seeks someone willing to support her in this to give her the chance to enjoy a quality of life. This is by assisting her with personal care and domestic work at home as well as supporting and escorting her on social, family and other activities outside of the home. Therefore, making life the rest of us enjoy, possible.

The Personal Assistant should always ask what the Employer’s needs are and carry out tasks in the way that she wishes. You must listen to her requests and directions and have a willingness to learn and adapt so that you carry out your duties in the manner that best suits your Employer’s needs. You are her hands and feet. Remember this, and let the choices and decisions remain hers. You are her means of fulfilling her wishes.

Experience is not necessary, but you must be willing to learn and adapt to the Employer’s needs and if, you are unsure of anything at all, ask. If you have experience in care you must remember that although a condition can may have the same name, each condition affects people differently and so it is important not to make assumptions. Whether or not you have experience you should always ask what the Employer’s needs are and listen carefully to her directions and requests. In your role as a Personal Assistant you will be directed by and accountable to, the Employer in all aspects of your work. You will be expected to respect the Privacy of the Employer (and that of the Employer’s family, friends, other staff and associates). You will maintain a professional approach at all times, keeping information gained in the course of your employment confidential.

The Employer prefers the Personal Assistant to be a woman because of her personal care needs and a non-smoker is preferred, especially as the Employer has asthma. Even smoking close to the start of a shift can set off an asthma attack, and it can also make the Employer extremely nauseous even to the point of being physically sick. The Personal Assistant must be able to handle the physical skills of lifting, pushing and bending. You do not have to be physically strong to do this, but you must be relatively fit and healthy. 

As far as possible all other instruction and training will be given by the Employer. Tasks will include Assisting with getting up/going to bed, washing, dressing/undressing and attention to personal grooming whether at the beginning of the day, or at bed-time when working a night shift.  Preparing drinks, snacks and meals, clearing away and washing up. Laundry, household cleaning and other related duties. Making and changing of beds.  Assistance with shopping.  General household maintenance (including outside yard). Assistance with social activities and other tasks and being a companion. From time to time propelling her manual wheelchair when the situation is not suitable for her electric wheelchair or if her electric wheelchair requires repair. Assistance with going out and about. Assistance with getting to medical appointments and other related tasks. Assistance in and out of vehicles and driving to and from venues. Cleaning, tidying and general maintenance of vehicle and equipment such as wheelchair and aids (no special skill set necessary, direction can be given). Assisting with oral medication. (You will not be responsible for the medication but will assist the Employer where needed and direction will be given.) Enabling the Employer to carry out any chosen activity whether inside or outside the Employer’s home, by carrying out any other requests which may be reasonably made to enable the Employer to lead an independent lifestyle. All needs vary day to day and physical duties will alter accordingly.

Personal Qualities - To be reliable and trustworthy. To act responsibly and exercise common sense. Ability to listen, understand and follow direction. Ability to respect the confidentiality of the Employer. A willingness to learn the different skills necessary to the post and exercise some flexibility. To be relatively fit and healthy. To understand that the preservation of dignity and independence is important and to recognise the difficulties for the Employer in having to share her life with someone else. Other noteworthy topics. Be courteous at all times towards to the Employer, her family and friends. Suitable manners and dress are expected when accompanying the Employer to specific occasions.  

There can be no smoking on the premises. To have a duty for your own health and safety and those of the Employer, Employees or persons around them. The Employer is opening-up her home to you and so you should treat it with respect and care, and you should ask if you wish to use of any of the facilities. And finally… It is incumbent that the Personal Assistant and the Employer ensure a close working relationship and be willing to discuss problems as they arise openly, so that a relationship can be built on trust and professionalism, but also on friendship and laughter.

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Employer Disability and Health Conditions

• Mobility / Physical

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Other relevant information

About the Role

Duties and Responsibilities

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The individuals needs may vary from day to day and your tasks may reflect this. You could be required to perform other duties as reasonably required.

You have a responsibility as an employee to report all accidents to the employer immediately. You have a duty to report defects and / or hazards which may give rise to an accident. You are to ensure the safety of the individual at all times.

Due to the nature of the work for which you are applying, this post is subject to a satisfactory DBS disclosure (costs will be covered).

Required Skills