There are numerous careers that fall under the rather broad industry umbrella of community services work. A disability support worker is one of those careers. Taking care of people with disabilities is a noble career path to take, but it may not be for everybody.
Let’s take a closer look at the role of a disability support worker to determine if it’s a job position that might appeal to you.
What is a Disability Support Worker?
As the title suggests, people in this field are working closely with people living with a disability on a daily basis. In this role, you are providing care and assistance with daily living and this includes personal, physical and emotional support as well. How much assistance you will be providing on a particular assignment will largely depend on the health and personal abilities of the client.
The Tasks of a Disability Support Worker
Disability support workers often work with others or liaise with other professionals charged with the care of the person with a disability, such as nurses, physiotherapists and so on. Some of your duties as a disability support worker will include things like helping your client to take a shower, assistance in getting dressed, possibly preparing meals for the client, assisting with social activities or taking them out somewhere, running errands for the client and more.
Other important assistance includes activities designed to improve and enhance the client’s emotional, intellectual and physical capabilities, so they can enjoy an improved quality of life.
Places Where Disability Support Workers Work
As implied above, a disability support worker will often be working in the home, caring for a person living with a disability. However, the home environment is not the only place you may find yourself working if you embark on this career.
You could find yourself sometimes working within a clinic, in a hospital, or a residential care setting. It can vary, which also makes the job more interesting.
Personal Traits Required To Be Successful
To be successful in a career as a disability support worker, you’ll need to be a compassionate person who truly cares about others. If you lack empathy, your career in this field could prove to be short-lived.
Another key character trait to have in abundance is that of patience. Sometimes, it can be rather trying when dealing with a disabled person on a daily basis and patience is the key, both for your own benefit and the sake of the client.
Physical strength can also be a plus, as you may be required to help lift the person with a disability in and out of vehicles, in and out of bed and so on, depending on the type of disability they have.
What You Can Expect To Earn
While you won’t be earning huge money as a disability support worker, the job does pay quite well and it can also be used as a stepping stone to advance your career to other levels where you earn more.
As at the time of writing this article, a disability support worker in Australia can expect to earn between $56,000 and $75,000 per year.
First Steps To Becoming a Disability Support Worker
Successfully attaining Cert 3 Individual Support is the first step towards starting a career as a disability support worker. It’s an entry level course that, once completed, can give you access to entry level job roles in the field of disability support. You can also use completion of the Certificate III course to embark on further studies.
Much of the course is completed online over a period of 12 months full time or 24 months part-time, with there also being a 120 hour component for work placement. This latter part of the course gives you actual on the job training, which is vital.
To cover the cost of the course, you may be able to apply for funding, depending on your personal circumstances.
The course can also be completed as a traineeship.
In Conclusion If you have what it takes, a career as a disability support worker can be a rewarding and very satisfying one. No two workdays will be the same and you’ll be making a positive difference in the lives of others
