Role of Personal Care Worker

As a Care Worker in Aged Care, you will be providing physical, emotional and social support in a residential and /or community setting. Whether your client lives in a private home or residential care, your primary care role will be to assist with daily living routines and personal care (i.e. showering, dressing, eating, monitoring fluid intake, medication supervision). You may be involved in formulating individual care plans and arranging supervised activities. Clients may require care and support to manage disability, dementia or terminal illness. Your person-centred support will maximise your client’s sense of dignity and integrity by enabling your client to engage in independent living to the best of their ability.

Employment Opportunities

Aged Care Workers are often employed through agencies that provide services to clients who are eligible for aged care packages in residential and home care. State departments of human services or Local Government Agencies might also employ Aged Care Workers.

Membership Requirements: Australian College of Care Workers

As a Disability Support Worker, you will be assisting individuals with different types of disabilities. The nature of work will vary depending on whether a clients disability is physical, developmental, intellectual or and whether the client has co-existing disabilities. The focus will be to assist with daily living tasks and to assist individuals to enable independent living and develop social skills to the best of their abilities. Disability Support Workers may work in clients’ homes, in specific care settings, hospitals or other care environments. Work may involve taking clients on outings and assisting them to engage in activities to enhance their experience of life.

Disability Support Workers need to be compassionate, empathetic and have excellent attention to detail. Excellent listening and communication skills are essential to be effective in this occupation. Patience and a passion for helping people are also essential attributes for Disability Support Workers. It is essential to be a physically active and capable person as Disability Support Work involves physical interaction and assisting a person with a disability to undertake daily living tasks.

Employment Opportunities
Disability Support Workers are often employed through agencies that provide services to clients who are eligible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). State Departments of Human Services might also employ Disability Support Workers.

Membership Requirements: Australian College of Care Workers

Care Workers working in the Community Sector include Childcare Workers, Aged Care Workers, Disability Workers, Mental Health Workers, Correctional Services Workers, Youth Support Workers, Domestic Violence Workers, Indigenous Support Workers and other support roles in the Community and Health Sectors.

The nature of each role varies significantly. There may be opportunities to work in a range of different support roles as a qualified Care Worker.

You will often be working with people experiencing social disadvantage. Your role will be to assist them with day to day living, accessing other support services and building skills and confidence to live a fulfilling and enriching life.

Employment Opportunities

Care workers in the Community Sector could find employment with Child Care Centres, Community Health Centres and other community organisations; Job Agencies, Local Councils or Government Departments such as Correctional Services or the Department of Health and Community Services.

Membership Requirements: Australian College of Care Workers

As a Mental Health Worker, you will provide daily care and support for clients. This may involve providing medication to clients under the instructions of doctors or nurses. You will assist patients with daily activities, including eating, bathing and movement. Mental Health Clients can be unpredictable, so you must also be prepared to intervene in crises and may need to restrain patients who may become physically violent.

Mental health workers may in developing treatment plans, leading therapy sessions, supervising and observing clients, and you will need to keep detailed records and prepare reports regarding your clients. In your role, you will assist your clients in managing their condition and developing their skills, confidence and independence to enable them to enhance their quality of life. Mental Health Workers also work along with other health-related care service providers.

Hospitality care services involving the following specialised areas with minimal educational requirements: