Personal Care Assistant

Location: Balaklava, SA, 5461

Full-Time: Immediate start

Reports to: Aged Care Facility Manager

Job Title: Personal Care Assistant

Salary range: $79,500 - $85,000 - depending on skills level and work experience + superannuation.

Job Closure date: 30 days

About the Role

On behalf of our client, an independent, not-for-profit aged care provider known as “the heart of country care,” we are seeking a compassionate Personal Care Assistant. Our client proudly supports older South Australians in regional communities with safe, caring, and inclusive living environments across residential aged care and retirement living. They are passionate about developing respectful, warm, and genuine relationships where everyone is valued and everyone matters. We are looking for a Personal Care Assistant who will deliver quality care through mutual respect in a warm, caring country environment, empowering residents to make choices about their life, support, and care.

Key Duties (paraphrased & detailed)

Resident-Centred Personal Care & Support

• Deliver high-quality personal care including gentle assistance with bathing, showering, dressing, grooming, toileting, and mobility support (transfers, walking), always following each resident’s individual care plan.

• Promote independence and dignity by encouraging residents to participate in daily activities at their comfort level, supporting them to maintain skills and choice.

• Provide emotional support and genuine companionship, engaging residents in meaningful conversations, reminiscence activities, and recreational pursuits that combat loneliness.

Specialised Care & Health Monitoring

• Assist with specialized care needs including dementia support (using calm, reassuring communication), palliative care (comfort-focused assistance), and behavioural interventions under the guidance of registered nurses.

• Observe and report any changes in residents’ physical or emotional condition (e.g., skin integrity, mood swings, appetite loss) to senior staff in a timely manner.

• Accurately document care provided and contributed to care plan reviews, ensuring resident needs are continuously met and their preferences respected.

Wellness Programs & Therapy Support

• Support therapy and wellness programs by assisting with gentle exercises (range of motion, seated stretching), cognitive stimulation activities (puzzles, memory games), and social outings within the local community.

• Encourage resident participation in group activities that foster connection and engagement, aligned with the “heart of country care” ethos.

Safety, Compliance & Environmental Care

• Adhere strictly to infection control protocols (hand hygiene, PPE use), workplace health & safety policies, and Aged Care Quality Standards to protect vulnerable residents.

• Maintain a clean, hazard-free environment, ensuring resident rooms, communal areas, and bathrooms meet hygiene standards and are free from trip risks.

• Participate in emergency response procedures including fire drills, evacuation support, and basic first aid interventions when required (certification preferred).

Team Collaboration, Communication & Continuous Improvement

• Build trusting relationships with residents’ families, providing empathetic updates on care and addressing concerns with professionalism and warmth.

• Work closely with nurses, allied health professionals (physiotherapists, OTs), and other care staff to ensure a holistic, person-centred approach to resident wellbeing.

• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives by sharing feedback, participating in staff meetings, attending training sessions, and identifying self-education needs.

Skills & Experience Required

• Certificate III in Aged Care, Individual Support, or equivalent qualification.

• Minimum 1-year full-time experience in a similar role (residential aged care preferred).

• NDIS Worker Screening Clearance (issued within last 5 years) – preferable.

• Up-to-date flu vaccination and full COVID-19 immunisation.

• Satisfactory police check with no disclosures; valid driver’s licence and own reliable transportation.

• Strong teamwork skills, compassionate communication, and a genuine commitment to long-term employment in a regional community setting.

Why Join?

Rewarding work making a real difference in seniors’ lives, ongoing training and professional development, supportive team culture with regular staff recognition, modern country facilities with quality resources, and career growth potential within a respected not-for-profit organisation.

Please note: We are acting as recruitment agents on behalf of our client. Employer details will be provided to shortlisted candidates.