We are currently seeking applications for the position of Community Support Worker/Care Assistant in Reach Ability across our Community Based Hubs and our Residential Houses.


The successful candidate will support the Team Leader, Residential Team Leader and Residential and Day Services Manager in the following:

• Ensuring the physical and emotional well-being, as well as the personal hygiene, of people with intellectual disabilities as assigned by the Unit Team Leader.
• Supporting service users and residents in living in the community, choice and control, social and civic participation, personal relationships, education and personal development, etc.

Key Duties

• To accept delegated responsibility for the physical and emotional well-being as well as the personal hygiene of people with intellectual disabilities (children and/or adults) attending the Unit and as assigned by the Unit Team Leader.
• To cooperate with other staff members in creating an environment where service users can continue to develop which would include:
• Cognitive development
• Communication
• Gross and fine motor skills
• Play, P.E., swimming, bowling, sporting activities
• Physiotherapy (under the direction of a physiotherapist)
• General medical and dental care including hospital appointments
• Behaviour modification
• Social integration, including use of local community facilities
• Kitchen skills, cookery etc.
• Implementation of dietary programmes
• Literacy and numeracy programmes as appropriate
• Work skills as appropriate
• Massage and relaxation therapy
• Job coaching as appropriate
• To be responsible for the hygiene of the equipment, both educational and play. Many people with intellectual disabilities attending the service are susceptible to infection and require very high levels of hygiene.
• To participate in the monitoring and recording of the progress of each Service user in line with agreed procedures.
• To be a link, under the direction of the Unit Team Leader, between the Unit and the Family.
• To maintain confidentiality in all dealings.
• To participate fully in regular staff meetings where all aspects of the Unit's functioning are discussed with a view to maintaining high standards, open communication among staff and good levels of staff morale.
• To participate as required by the Unit Team Leader in the planning, developing and implementing agreed individual and group programmes and become involved as in PCP reports and action plans.
• To attend meetings (case conferences, parent meetings etc.) as required by the Unit Team Leader.
• To participate and assist with the organisation of holiday camps and unit holiday breaks.
• To be involved, as directed, with the supervision, training and monitoring of students (FAS, VEC) and volunteers attending the Unit.
• To act as a "key worker".
• To contribute to programmes, meetings, etc. which aim to educate and promote public awareness and commitment towards the needs of service users.
• To attend and reach an acceptable standard of performance in courses internal and external and as designated as appropriate by Reach Ability.
• Ensure that all prescribed medicines, drugs and treatments are administered to service users attending the service, that the required records are kept of same, and that all storage and administration of drugs and medicines complies with the Medicines Policy of Reach Ability as applied.
• The cooperation of care assistants will be required in the introduction of consumer feedback mechanisms and of service users' participation in the planning and delivery of services.
• To participate in initiatives which will improve quality of all aspects of their service.
• To cooperate with audits which will evaluate the effectiveness of the services being provided in accordance with the contents of the Health Strategy-Shaping A Healthier Future. To cooperate with the setting of agreed objectives and high standards and to be accountable for their achievement.
• Develop Value for Money structures and programmes designed to achieve improvements in the efficiency and effectiveness of the service.
• To cooperate with future changes which may arise in organisation structures and reporting relationships within the service.
• To cooperate with the introduction of flexibility and mobility measures which are designed to enhance the effective and efficient delivery of services, subject to discussion and consultation. Such flexibility measures to include:
• Cooperation with future changes which will result in more effective and service user centered methods of service delivery
• Cooperation with the mobility of employees within the whole service
• Cooperation with the current practice of taking service users away on holidays
• To agree to the implementation and operation of Reach Ability Policy and Procedures on Abuse and other relevant policies and procedures.
• To cooperate with all aspects of the design, installation and operation of the new technology. Management agrees to full consultation with staff on technological change.
• Reach Ability is committed to the development of the necessary skills and knowledge for their efficient use of new technology where appropriate. Every effort will be made to encourage employees to familiarize themselves with new technology by way of training organised by Reach Ability to meet identified and agreed needs.
• To drive organisational vehicles as required, adhering to the rules of the road at all times.
• To report all issues affecting the Organisation's vehicles immediately to the person responsible for maintenance or the designated person.
• To provide support to service users in the vehicle to which assigned as well as support to colleagues with service users on outings etc.
• To perform routine inspections (daily, weekly, monthly) of the organisation's vehicles, as required and action issues that are identified.
• To ensure that the bus can be operated safely before driving and conducts pre-trip safety inspections, as required, to include observing visual defects and checking operating systems to include brakes, horn, lights, emergency flashers, and door-opening devices.
• It will be necessary for Care Assistants to cooperate with changes in respect of the methods of future service delivery. Care Assistants agree to cooperate with improvements in respect of transportation services for service users to and from activation/residential services and outings. They also agree to cooperate with Reach Abilities policy in relation to inclusion, integration and community care and support.
• To cooperate with ongoing education and training organised by Reach Ability.
• To cooperate fully with the introduction and implementation of performance management.
• To accompany service users on outings.
• To report any breakages or any items noticed to be missing from the unit.
• To supervise the health and hygiene of service users.
• To ensure service users attend the appropriate training or work place at the time stipulated.
• To help in the preparation of meals.

Minimum Requirements (Essential)

• QQI (Fetac) Level 5 in Healthcare Support - Major Award or similar or currently undertaking (minimum Year 2) or hold a BA in Applied Social Studies or similar
• One years' community support worker / care assistant experience
• Full Clean Driving License
• Be currently eligible to work in Ireland

Remuneration
The successful candidate will be appointed on the Care Assistant HSE Hybrid Payscale (Sept 2008), (€14.88 - €20.66 per hour DOE)


Recruitment Process


Selection will involve short-listing of applicants for interviews based on the information provided on the application form / CV. The short-listing selection criteria are based on the requirements of the job as outlined in this job advertisement.


Why Work for Us?


Reach Ability offer a range of benefits to staff including the following:


Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
Penny Bank, Christmas Savings Scheme
Excellent rate of pay with premium rates for Sundays, Public Holidays, etc
Free Garda Vetting
Comprehensive induction training and continued in-house training/ professional development
Education Assistance
24 days annual leave (pro-rata)
Defined contribution pension scheme
Paid sick leave
Paid Maternity/Paternity Leave (minimum service period applies)
Opportunities for career progression
Employee discounts in our sister company
Group Health Insurance Scheme
Cycle to Work Scheme


The above list is non-exhaustive and may be subject to eligibility / conditions.


Reach Ability are equal opportunities employers.