Job satisfaction guaranteed in client services sector

Redbank Plains’ Melanie Dawson says if she had been able to crystal ball gaze into her future 11 years ago, she would not have believed where her career has taken her.

In 1999, as a young mother of four children who were all at school, Melanie decided to look for a job and re-join the workforce.

An advertisement for Personal Care Assistants (PCAs) at the Spinal Injuries Association appealed to her warm nature and she quickly applied, and was offered, a position.

Currently, there are 50 PCA positions vacant throughout Queensland for the Association’s clients, who have either quadriplegia or paraplegia.

Melanie said while she had been nervous starting her role all those years ago, she quickly grew to enjoy working with several clients who had varying levels of spinal cord injuries.

“You learn to adapt and work with all of your clients differently because like anyone, each client has a certain way of doing things, and you have to be flexible because you’re assisting them to be as independent as possible,” she said.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to see your clients experience a return to some of the things they enjoyed prior to sustaining their injury, or see them regain aspects of their independence. Things most people take for granted can become incredibly special following an injury.”

In 2003, Melanie continued to work as a PCA, combining it with hours in the Association’s office coordinating the Veterans’ Home Care Service.

Continuing to move through the ranks of Personal Support Plus, the personal support department of the Association, Melanie began working full-time at the organisation’s head office and eventually applied for her current position as a Client Services Officer.

As the vital link between clients and PCAs, Melanie ensures both parties are happy with the level of care service that is in place and that the two are working together well. Her experience as a PCA means she has intimate knowledge of the challenges that can arise for people with a spinal cord injury who require personal care, as well as the PCAs who assist the clients.

Melanie has also completed a Frontline Management Course through TAFE and her knowledge of Personal Support Plus’ database, Carelink, means she now regularly trains other staff in using the system effectively and is to go-to person in the office for the database.

“If you had told me 11 years ago that I would go back to study, be working with systems and training other staff, I would have laughed. My priority then was my children (Jade, 27, Faith, 25, Ashley, 23, and Stormm, 21),” Melanie said.

“It just goes to show that you don’t have to follow the conventional path of career, marriage and children. You can have a family and get into the workforce later in life.

“Becoming a PCA is the perfect job for people wanting job satisfaction, flexibility, and part-time hours to juggle your family commitments.”

Spinal Injuries Association CEO Mark Henley said the Association currently had around 600 PCAs throughout Queensland, who collectively provided more than 400,000 hours of assistance every year to people with a disability or the elderly. This includes personal care, domestic and workplace assistance and holiday support around the clock.

“While we generally have around 20 PCA positions vacant, at the moment there are 50 vacancies in regions across the state,” Mr Henley said.

“PCAs must be reliable, trustworthy and have good interpersonal skills. A telephone and your own reliable transport are also essential. Prior experience is an advantage for PCAs, but not crucial.

PCAs receive an intensive three-day, fully-paid PCA induction course in Brisbane and on-the-job training in a client’s home with an experienced PCA.

In the majority of situations, a PCA will be one of a team who support a client.

PCA duties include hoist transfers, showering, drying, skin care, dressing, bladder and bowel care, personal hygiene and grooming, assisting clients at meal times and general household duties.

The hours a PCA work are different for each client, but the bulk of the shifts are available between 6am until 9am and 6pm until 10pm.

To download a PCA information pack, please visit www.spinal.com.au or phone the Association’s Human Resources department on (07) 3391 2044. Alternatively, you can send your resume and cover letter to hr@spinal.com.au.

Issued 21 April 2010.