Designation: Psychosocial Officer
Reporting to: Head Office & Logistics Coordinator The Overall objectives of the position are as follows:
The Psychosocial Officer will support the execution of the day-to-day activities of the residents as set out in the Person Centred Plan (PCP). The Psychosocial Officer will follow the direction of the Head Office and Logistics Coordinator and/or Home Coordinator in providing the necessary support and care that ensures that residents achieve their optimum potential in enhancing their quality of life.
The Psychosocial Officer is part of the team that will assist in teaching, advocating and providing care and respect to all clients. The Psychosocial Officer’s responsibility and accountability for the residents’ well being must constantly remain within the Foundation’s policies and procedures.
Specific Tasks
- Provide meaningful and effective input to the creation, review and update of the Person Centred Plan, as part of the resident’s support team;
- Assist in developing the strategies for the implementation and maintenance of the planned programmes, interventions and approaches;
- Document and report information as assigned by the Head Office and Logistics Coordinator /Home Coordinator; as well as keeping self updated by reading the documentation about residents on a daily basis;
- Updating the Appointments Diary and calendar accordingly
- To inform the Head Office and Logistics Coordinator with any cancelled or postponed appointments and course of action that needs to be taken (whether a new appointment will be sent by post or scheduled from our end)
- Updating of the Client Management System (CORTEX) with all the information derived from the appointments and/or interventions and inform residential Coordinator with any changes that need to be affected immediately
- Assist the Coordinator/Social Worker in carrying out the programmes and plans as set out;
- To take the necessary action and carry out interventions with clients when needed
- Contribute ideas, suggestions and observations regarding the effectiveness of the programmes as planned and implemented;
- To take initiative and be pro-active
- Maintain current knowledge of all aspects of resident’s file;
- Update client’s file as directed by the residential co-ordinator or designate;
- To assist in the completion of ADL forms every three months
- Keeping client’s pockets (Schedule V and Appointments) up to date and organised by making sure prescriptions and medical documents (DDA Card, Schedule V and Karta Roza) are renewed and past appointments filed appropriately
- To assist in the appropriate filing of documentation
- To keep up to date with e-mails; and keep the Home Coordinator and Head Office and Logistics Coordinator informed if issue being handled requires their attention
- Follow training and development programmes, recommended by the Head Office and Logistics Coordinator or designate, to support the residents more effectively.
- Assist the residents and staff in maintaining a clean and tidy accommodation;
- Assist the residents in food preparation;
- Assist the residents in maintaining personal hygiene regardless of resident gender, as well as, in their personal appearance;
- Assist the residents in keeping their personal belongings and finances in order;
- Ensure that every effort is made to maintain the residents’ dignity and self-respect;
- Follow resident’s daily work/activity schedules. The support ratio can vary according to the need. The support ratio is determined by the management depending on the needs of the individual resident an is limited to one to one at the most;
- Be economical in usage of the foundation’s budget and operate households goods with responsibility;
- Take direction from the home Coordinator and bring concerns to his/her attention.
Residents Training and Development
To assist the Coordinator in providing the necessary training, support, and motivation essentials for residents to realise their full potential in the various aspects of life, be it social, communication, educational or vocational skills.
- Assist the Coordinator/Social worker in developing, planning, documenting and monitoring the development activities.
- Attend and participate in all team meetings.
- Take appropriate action (as defined by Foundations policies and procedures) in cases of emergencies, urgent matters or abuse);
- Identify and document support deficiencies, problems, concerns, and bring them to the team meetings or to the attention of the Head Office and Logistics Coordinator or designate.
- Utilise approved teaching techniques, in enhancing residents’ daily lives;
- Encouraging community integration in consultation with the Home Coordinator/social worker.
- Teach, assist and participate with the residents in daily domestic activities and chores.
- To observe and assess the clients to inform Coordinator/Head Office and Logistics Coordinator of any appointments that need to be scheduled.
- To observe and assess the clients in order to give feedback that will help create a better care plan for each client
- To assist in the prompting and motivation for clients to carry out ADLs.
Medication
- Dispense and administer medication according to the policies and procedures of the foundation:
- Ensure that all medication is logged in the appropriate files
- Ensure that all medication is properly and securely stored;
- Keep up to date with POYC dates (when to drop off Schedule V pocket at pharmacy, and when to pick medications up)
- Ensure that a copy of the latest treatment chart/prescription is kept in the designated file
- Advise the residential Coordinator or designate of any medical condition of the resident.
Personal Development
- Participate in all development and training programmes as recommended by the Head Office & Logistics Coordinator or the Management.
- Identify opportunities for personal professional development and bring to the attention of the home coordinator.
- To ask the Head Office and Logistics Coordinator for any assistance needed and to schedule earlier supervision if needed
- The Psychosocial Officer should also strive to have good role performance and good communication with other staff members and the residents are each home.
On-Call Responsibilities
1. To be actively involved and participate in an on-call system.
Other Responsibilities.
The Psychosocial Officer may from time to time be called upon by the Management or designate to perform certain non-recurring tasks which, although not specifically spelled out within the text of the job description, are nonetheless akin to the primary goals and objectives of the job description of the Psychosocial Officer and are intended to enhance the end results and/or to overcome unexpected obstacles.
The Head Office and Logistics Coordinator will be available to assist the Psychosocial Officer in any need that may arise and, in any situation.