Care Companion

About the role

HMS Community is expanding its team of Carers in the Macedon Ranges and surrounding areas. A Care Companion is a certificate-trained health professional who supports, and reports to, a registered community paramedic or nurse in providing paramedical and nursing care in a community setting. The care can be reactive, delegated, planned or proactive, and helps people with disabilities, mental health conditions, chronic disease and older adults live safely and independently at home.

Key responsibilities

• Provide personal care such as bathing, hygiene, dressing, grooming, eating, toileting, lifting, transferring and mobility, as outlined in a care plan.
• Offer respite care, including in-home care in the evenings or overnight, so regular carers can take a break.
• Give social support, help people access community services and accompany them in community activities.
• Transport people to activities, appointments or relatives' homes.
• Monitor self-administration of medication according to medical orders or care plans.
• Help people stay safe at home and avoid ambulance calls and hospital admissions where possible.
• Provide basic domestic support such as tidying, laundry, shopping and food preparation when needed.
• Follow individual healthcare plans, keep accurate records, act as an advocate and mentor, and report to a community paramedic, nurse or supervisor.
• Record incidents and near misses, take part in risk management, quality improvement and occupational health and safety reviews, and maintain confidentiality.

Required profile

• Certificate-level training in aged care, disability, mental health or another relevant field.
• Understanding of health promotion principles and of the role of a Care Companion.
• Able to work with people of diverse backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the LGBTIQ+ community.
• Team player who can work independently and report accurately to health professionals.
• Victorian driver's licence and access to a vehicle.
• National Police Criminal History Report (less than 3 months old) and a current Victorian Working with Children Check.
• First Aid certificate or evidence of a booked course within one month of signing.