Support Worker KT11 in Esher

Location: Oxshott KT11

Wage/Salary: Day shifts: £18.67, Night Shifts: £20.33 gross per hour. £35,986.00+ gross per annum.

Driver Essential? Highly preferable, automatic adapted vehicle for use on duty.

Essential: Experience of supporting an adult with complex healthcare needs, controlled medication, palliative care and mental health experience and/or qualifications. Able to cope with fluctuating moods due to health conditions.

This role is open to female candidates only. Non-smoker/vaper. Fluent English.

Desirable: Someone happy to give time to sit with the client, chat, play games and work at the client’s pace.

Start Date: ASAP

Days & Hours: The role is 36 hours worked across two consecutive day/night shifts, starting at either 9:30 AM or 9:30 PM. There is flexibility regarding which days or nights are worked; however, the two consecutive shifts cannot fall on a Monday and Tuesday. The successful candidate will be open to work some weekends. Additional hours to cover sickness, holidays.

Accommodation: A carer’s bedroom and bathroom are available to use on shift.

About this client: Irene, 41, enjoys cross-stitch, online shopping and collecting Jellycats. Irene has complex medical conditions including Ehlers Danlos syndrome, Mast Cell Activation Disorder, Gastroparesis, non-epileptic seizures, PTSD and spinal instability. Her progressive condition affects her neurologically and it is likely she has an Acquired Brain Injury. She has fluctuating emotions that could involve uncontrolled temper, frustration, anxiety, and she can be impatient. She has chronic and debilitating pain. She lives at her parents’ house. Irene is mostly confined to her bed due to pain and/or exhaustion. Irene can currently transfer with just light support (no lifting). She requires support with her personal care including a daily bed bath; she uses a commode.

Overview of role: You will provide 1:1 support for Irene during the day and night. During the night, Irene will require help if she has a seizure, or has another need such as requiring pain relief or having a drink replenished etc. The carer's bedroom is next to Irene's, with a buzzer to alert you. The night role is classed as an on-call night but varies each night; some nights you may be able to sleep all night, other nights, Irene will need support and/or have an extended seizure, these can last for several hours. Irene may need oxygen around 8.00am to 9.00am. She then typically sleeps until around 2:30 PM, so you can catch up on your sleep if needed. At times, Irene will enjoy having a chat or playing some games with the support worker/carer. A friend may visit or she may have an activity such as aromatherapy. In addition to Irene’s care, there are light household duties to attend to, such as her washing and ironing.

Who this job would suit: Someone who is friendly, calm, empathetic, emotionally robust, and positive. Someone who doesn’t take things personally and understands that Irene is sometimes unable to control her emotions. You’ll know when to step back and give Irene space. Due to her many allergies, no strongly perfumed products (deodorant, perfumes, etc.) can be worn, nor peanuts, onions or shellfish eaten. Support staff must have clean, short nails for safety. You’ll be respectful of Irene’s Christian faith, her DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) and an ADRT (Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment) choices, and acknowledge that her care takes place in her parents' home, where their privacy must be respected, and sensitivity to their family/home life is crucial. You’ll have experience of dealing with controlled medication and complex care procedures, but full training for tasks such as administering injections can be provided if required. Due to Irene’s needs, you’ll be a native English speaker or fluent in English. Someone open to work additional hours to cover some sickness and holidays.

What’s great about this job: This is a role in which you can utilise your skills to make a difference. Additional hours are available to cover sickness and holidays. All hours are worked in one block, which provides a great work/life balance.

Who is recruiting for this role? Our client is using our Shortlist Service. Snap Care will screen applications to confirm the essential criteria for the position is met. The client will then continue the recruitment process. By applying for this vacancy, you agree to us sending your CV and contact details to our client.

Please note: Where a specific gender is stated as essential, gender is considered to be a genuine occupational requirement in accordance with paragraph 1, of schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010 for female or male worker to work with our client.