Position Statement

Position Statement (As revised: 26/6/14)

Job Title: Program Assistant Employer: North West Disability Services Inc. Project: Hours: In accordance with the Job Contract Classification: Wages: In accordance with the Job Contract Conditions: In accordance with the Job Contract Responsible to: Line Facilitators, Co-ordinator, Manager and CEO Reporting Relationships:

Position Requirements: Include:  Current Position Statement  Key Performance Indicators  Delegation Schedule where applicable

Position Context: NWDS is a not for profit organisation enabling community access and contribution through a range of methods across locations in the greater northern western area of Sydney.

NWDS provides a welcoming, safe and caring environment that delivers quality services and builds a positive sense of community. NWDS encourages partnerships with other service providers, businesses, community and government agencies to extend the opportunities available to people with a disability. NWDS operates with its core values at the fore – Service Provision, People, Community, Quality, Corporate Governance and Culture.

NWDS is managed by an elected Board of Directors.

Purpose and Function:

Accountability Statement Program Assistant is accountable to the Line Facilitators, Co-ordinators, CEO and managers of NWDS for the provision of defined services. The Program Support staff must meet all assigned Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) and ensuring compliance with legal requirements and NWDS Policies and Procedures.

The Program Assistant must provide quality service with personal care and innovative service supports for people with a disability to live a full and valuable life within in the community. The Program Support staff will have an understanding of – KPI’s, Safe Work Practices (SWP) and Skill Development Profile

In detail this includes the following key accountabilities: D:\Docs\2018-04-17\0ba77a5914f9fef6150a5691730a6185.doc Drafted 23/3/12, Adopted 23/3/12, Reviewed 21/8/13, 26/6/14 Page 1 of 5  Ensure progress to achieve PWD Goals and clearly defined TA’s.  Ensure WHS and safety planning is implemented and maintained  Ensure responsive communication with carers  NWDS Community engagement KPI’s.  Ensure group & individual stretching exercises are conducted daily  Ensure all planned programs are conducted to provide maximum opportunity to achievement empowerment of goals for PWD.  Attend monthly team meetings  Attend Core Module training sessions, where appropriate  Complete staff competencies, where appropriate  To liaise with Line Facilitator regarding service delivery, staffing issues & program requirements as required.  To attend yearly staff service evaluations  To respond to critical incident as required such as Police, Ambulance and Security  Ensure Equal Employment Opportunity principles are maintained  Ensure NWDS anti- discriminate principles are maintained on the grounds of gender, religion, nationality or sexual orientation etc.  To ensure that the building and allocated vehicles are fully maintained  To ensure all equipment meets WHS requirements  Follow all cash handling procedures as noted in the Protection of Service user Money and Property Policy  Undertake all purchases on behalf of NWDS with honesty and for the express purpose of NWDS, no private purchases allowed. Receipts to be returned to administration in a timely manner  To undertake purchases for programs with prior approval by the CEO.  Daily income and fund raising monies must be receipted, stored safely and delivered to Administration, or banked using correct deposit book reconciliation, at the end of each day.

Provision for Support for Service Users:  To ensure all service user information is up to date and maintained with full privacy and confidentiality.  To act as an advocate for and on behalf of PWD and their carers.  To promote independence, self-determination and decision-making skills, whilst supporting individuals with disabilities in integration into generic services in the community.  To promote the involvement of PWD and their carers in the direction and the coordination of service programs.  Administer medication in accordance with North West Disability Services Medication Policy.  Support equitable access for service users from NESB, ATSI and disadvantaged groups in the community.  To monitor ongoing best placement of service users in programs and report to initiate change as required.  Be aware of the impacts of program changes and ensure this is minimised in all instances.  Implementation of Incident Response Plans – Ensure you have training and capacity to effectively implement the plans.  Ensure input to review of all support plans and correct documentation is maintained.

D:\Docs\2018-04-17\0ba77a5914f9fef6150a5691730a6185.doc Drafted 23/3/12, Adopted 23/3/12, Reviewed 21/8/13, 26/6/14 Page 2 of 5  Where required assist with the personal care and hygiene needs of service users who access the service – including toileting, dressing, mealtime assistance, mobility assistance and medication.  During Person Centred Planning ensuring all LF’s have a thorough understanding and awareness of service user’s aspirations and goals and actively implement TA’s to achieve planned skill development and targets.  To monitor and review support provided to service users and follow up changing support needs and information whenever necessary.  Maintain accurate file notes for service users and accurately record all communication in individual service user files notes.  To explore individual service user needs and extend every community opportunity to achieve and expand on Person Centred Planning targets

Special Conditions  Staff will not, under any circumstances, drink any kind of alcohol nor take any kind of illegal drugs whilst working on a rostered shift. Nor will a staff member attend a rostered shift whilst under the influence of alcohol, being over the prescribed legal limit of .05, or affected by an illicit substance(s). If on prescribed medication that may affect performance it must be discussed with a supervisor to confirm safety.  Staff will not leave a client unattended for any reason whilst on a rostered shift unless requested to do so by the Manager or Coordinator.  Staff whilst attending a rostered shift, will not smoke unless on a designated break and in an approved smoking area. Staff should also not remain in close proximity to another person who is smoking  To work the allotted hours for the role as defined, confirming any TIL prior to generation.

Personal Development:  To undertake training and study that will contribute to the greater understanding of disability service provision and the achievement of Best Practice for the service.  To complete all competency assessments within time frames and meet all KPI targets  To actively seek training opportunities to continue self development  To develop the skills to navigate the server drive folders, files required, utilise client, staff and roster management systems, use email and access the internet following NWDS policy and procedures.

Skills Required  Commitment to the principles of normalisation and the Disabilities Service Act and Disability Service Standards  To contribute to the aims and objectives of the organisation fulfilling Strategic Plan, Action Planning and Risk monitoring throughout the organization.  Sound knowledge of Disability & WHS legislation  An ability to lift/transfer people in accordance with NWDS “minimum lift” policy  Ability to work with flexibility between program areas and venues  Commitment to ongoing training and study in the disability or management fields  A commitment and active participation in ongoing development of quality service provision  A commitment to staff supervision, support developing positive team dynamics and systems  High quality computer, written and verbal communication skills, including Word, Excel, Publisher and PowerPoint.

D:\Docs\2018-04-17\0ba77a5914f9fef6150a5691730a6185.doc Drafted 23/3/12, Adopted 23/3/12, Reviewed 21/8/13, 26/6/14 Page 3 of 5  Ability to navigate the server drive folders and files required, use email and access the internet following NWDS policy and procedures  A positive attitude to change and commitment to fostering a culture of continuous improvement, teamwork, learning and diversity  Commitment to ensure application of organisational Policy and Procedure to achieve quality Service Delivery and individual outcomes within any area of the organisation  Ability to put into practice the philosophy and aims of NWDS.  Experience in working with adults with disabilities.

Physical Demands & Work Environment: This section has been included to ensure that the successful applicant for the position clearly understands the demands and environment so that they are able to meet the physical requirements of the role. Staff must inform the employer if any reasonable modifications may be needed in order to accommodate a disability or other relevant attribute under equal opportunity law.

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the role.

Lift frequently to a maximum of 10 kgs Push or pull trolleys Stand, walk and sit for varying periods period throughout a shift Climb stairs frequently, including getting into and out of buses, accessing venues Kneel, Squat particularly in relation to Loading wheelchairs onto buses using a hoist which would include, tie down of wheelchairs in buses, involving, bending, twisting, pulling and pushing, sometimes in confined spaces Work above shoulder height & Work below knee height Perform one-handed duties (eg – feeding), and other repetitive hand movements including grasping, pushing, pulling and fine manipulation Rotate between duties Repetitive arm movements Swimming to the level required to support Service users and assist in emergencies Computer work / keying Personal Care – rolling and repositioning of clients, removing clothing, changing and redressing Use of hoist (electric or battery operated) to move clients for personal care Controlling/Pushing of manual and electric wheelchairs, usually on flat ground but possibly uneven surfaces. Manual repositioning may be required Driving, car or bus, manual and auto 14 seater buses Supporting mobility impaired service users in personal care and on community access, walking Supporting service users with challenging behaviours and provide 1:1 support, may require ability to run Administrative duties – including the use of a computer and ability to answer the phone and make calls

Selection Criteria:

Qualifications

Essential: D:\Docs\2018-04-17\0ba77a5914f9fef6150a5691730a6185.doc Drafted 23/3/12, Adopted 23/3/12, Reviewed 21/8/13, 26/6/14 Page 4 of 5  1st Aid Certificate maintained up to date.  Current manual LR Licence and ability to pass ongoing assessment of LR licence.  Commitment to Equal Employment Opportunities.  Commitment to on-going training  Certificate III In Disability Studies  Awareness of Cultural Competence Practices

Desirable:  Experience in working with people with disabilities.  Knowledge of Disability Services Act 1992 & Disability Service Standards.  Certificate IV in Disability Studies

Conditions of Employment: The terms and conditions of employment are those applying under the Social, Community, Homecare and Disability Services Industry Award (SCHDSI Award) in conjunction with the National Employment Standards (NES) except for the areas where transitional Social And Community Services Employees (NSW) Award (SACS) provisions apply. Please refer to the relevant documents for these conditions. All employees of North West Disability Services Inc are bound by the properly approved Policies and Procedures of the organisation, as promulgated and varied from time to time

Position Statement approved by NWDS Board on______. Signed on behalf of NWDS Board:

Name: ______Signature: ______Date: ______

Position Statement Provided: ______(Date)

I acknowledge I have received my Position Statement.

Name: ______Signature:______Date: ______

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