A client in her 30s living in Eyemouth is looking for a team of Personal Assistants to provide daily support with medication prompts and meal prompts, as well as flexible support to attend appointments and help with medical and day-to-day communication. The role includes supporting the client to travel to health appointments at Borders General Hospital and, occasionally, in Edinburgh. Ideally, you will be a driver with (or willing to obtain) business insurance; however, it may be possible to support the client while she drives herself. A key part of the role is helping the client prepare for appointments, ensuring she can ask the questions she needs, and supporting her to seek clarification where required. There is also the opportunity to work as part of a rota providing up to five short video calls per day (up to 15 minutes each) via WhatsApp to prompt medication and support her to heat and eat a meal. Video calling is essential, as this is the client’s preferred method of communication.
Terms
- Hours per week: various hours available
- Hours of work: Flexible as will vary week to week with availability for appointments/calls
- £14.08 per hour.
- Paid annual leave entitlement of 5.6 weeks pro rata
- Probationary period of 6 months
- Post subject to references and PVG scheme membership
Job Description
Main Tasks & Responsibilities
- Provide daily support via WhatsApp video calls (up to five per day, up to 15 minutes each) to promote the client’s safety and wellbeing.
- Prompt and support the client to take prescribed medication at the correct times, in line with agreed routines.
- Prompt and support the client to heat and eat a meal, encouraging good nutrition and hydration as agreed.
- Support the client to prepare for health appointments, including helping her to plan what she wants to ask and to follow up/seek clarification when needed.
- Provide flexible support to attend appointments as required, including travel to Borders General Hospital and occasional appointments in Edinburgh.
- Support the client with medical and day-to-day communication, including helping her to understand information and communicate her needs appropriately.
- Where required, drive the client to appointments (business-use insurance required), or support the client during travel where she is driving herself.
- Develop and maintain a positive, professional working relationship with the client, respecting her preferences and communication style.
- Maintain appropriate professional boundaries at all times and uphold the client’s right to dignity, privacy and confidentiality.
- Work as part of a rota/team, including being flexible to cover planned and short-notice absence where possible.
Person Specification
Personal Attributes
- Kind, caring and respectful, with a sensitive approach to the client’s needs.
- Reliable, punctual and trustworthy.
- Confident working one-to-one and able to build a positive, professional relationship with the client directly, but also to communicate with professionals.
- Able to use initiative while following agreed routines and instructions.
- Committed to maintaining privacy, dignity and confidentiality at all times.
- Flexible and willing to work as part of a rota/team.
Skills and Experience
- Confident using a smartphone and WhatsApp video calling and google calendar as part of day-to-day work.
- Good communication skills, including the ability to listen, explain information clearly, and support the client to ask questions and seek clarification.
- Ability to support the client to follow routines for medication and meals (prompts/support only).
- Understanding of Autism and/or neurodiversity (desirable).
- Full driving licence and access to a vehicle, with (or willingness to obtain) business-use insurance (desirable).
- Willingness to travel to appointments at Borders General Hospital and, occasionally, Edinburgh.
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