"I’ve been working with people with a disability since I was 14. As a lot of adolescent girls do, I was babysitting for extra pocket money, in Armidale, where I grew up. One of the kids I was babysitting turned out to have a disability. When I was 14 and 9 months (thus officially able to work) I got registered as her respite carer.

Now, 13 years later, I am a Case Manager for the St Vincent de Paul Society’s Mary MacKillop Outreach.

After I finished school, I started uni and was working in home care to get me through study. But I thought I was only doing it til I got a “real job.” I ended up moving to Sydney because I got a “real job” as a personal assistant in a big office in the city, but I lasted my 12 month contract and then I was gone so fast! It turns out I am not suited at all to office work like that. It was really dull. I went straight back to work in the disability and community care sector.

For me, the sector is a safe space. As a rule the staff I’ve worked with are more socially aware and accepting. You can be as gay as you like, have whatever colour hair, be from any cultural or religious background... Just do your job well..."

Read Emily's full carecareers story or learn more about frontline support roles in the disability and community care sector.

Do you want to make a difference in someone else's life?

Why not work for JewishCare, an organisation grounded in excellent service delivery.

Homecare employes provide personal assistance to clients in Home Support Services in accordance with their care plan, as outlined by the Case Manager / Manager.

Essential criteria:

• A current unrestricted Australian driver’s licence
• An understanding of EEO and OH&S principles
• Sensitivity to Jewish values, heritage and culture
• A desire to support elderly people to live valued and meaningful lives
• Punctual and reliable
• Caring and attentive
• Considerate of the needs of others

Desirable criteria:

• Certificate III in Home and Community Care
• Knowledge of principles of aged care
• Experience in working in aged care

Core Competencies:

• Work collaboratively with team members and have contact with other departments representing the team ensuring resolution of service or program delivery problems
• Demonstrate to other team members a high level of motivation and sustained discipline to provide a high level of service or program delivery for client
• Able to handle sensitive inquiries with tact and discretion
• Able to resolve conflicts related to relevant service or program delivery activities without assistance under general supervision
• Understand and interpret complicated guidelines and procedures
• Resolve problems requiring practical application of guidelines
• Responsible for own schedule, contacting more senior staff only to seek specialised help or notify progress of work

Closing date: 8 April 2011

Learn more about the Homecare Employee roles at JewishCare or search for more frontline support roles.