Disability support worker Interview Questions

‘I realise that providing disability support can at times be stressful. Thankfully, I thrive under pressure and have always been able to successfully balance different demands in both my personal and my professional life. For example, I used to work part-time for over 20 hours a week and cope with a full-time study load at the same time. In my free time, I meditate and do yoga to relax, which also helps me be prepared for my job.’

‘I once arrived to find a client distraught in bed and unwilling to participate in their scheduled activity for the day. I sat down and talked to them to really listen and understand what was troubling them. We ended up contacting their NDIS caseworker to discuss funding for psychologist sessions so the patient could commence therapy to help them with their mental health.’

‘One summer, I was hired to assist a patient who turned out to be the sister-in-law of one of my other patients. Both would regularly talk about each other, and not always in the kindest way, as they clearly did not get on well. I did not let on that I worked for both of them and did not take sides, keeping both their information completely private at all times. Maintaining confidentiality is a matter of course for me, even in tricky situations.’

‘In all my years as a disability support worker, I’ve found that it’s difficult not to get attached to patients. We care for them and empathise with their difficulties and needs, so it’s only natural to genuinely care for them. However, I never let my emotions get in the way of treating every patient professionally. I know that it’s helpful to have a connection with patients, but that they can’t be treated like friends or family members. I’m a paid service provider who needs to keep a professional distance at all times in order to provide the best possible care.’

‘Disability support is a team effort. If I were to notice any mistakes or irregularities on the part of a colleague, I’d always approach them first to discuss my observation and offer my assistance. You never know what they might be struggling with and what caused the mistake to occur. Ideally, we’ll come to an agreement and the matter gets resolved. Otherwise, I’d contact our superior to escalate the issue in order to protect the patient.’

‘In my current role as a disability support worker, I have two patients with sensory difficulties. One patient, in particular, finds loud noises and hectic environments challenging, so I take them out to the shopping centre early in the morning before it gets too busy, or we go during designated quiet hours. I’m always happy to schedule my shifts so they coincide with these times.’

‘I’ve always known that I have a passion for working with elderly patients. Many don’t get a lot of visits from friends or family members, so I love helping them with their day-to-day tasks and making their lives a bit easier. I also really enjoy taking them out shopping or to have a meal to make sure they thoroughly enjoy themselves beyond their own four walls.’

‘In my previous role, I worked with a patient who suffered from severe anxiety and found it difficult to leave her home. We developed a plan with small, achievable steps that gradually increased her confidence. We started by going into the yard, then down the road for just five minutes, and over the course of a few weeks, the patient achieved her goal of having a cup of tea with me at a local café. I was delighted that I could help her by being patient and setting achievable goals.’

‘I previously worked in a nursing home and thoroughly enjoyed that role. On a day-to-day basis, I was responsible for serving meals, assisting with daily hygiene tasks and administering medication. In a nutshell, I made sure every patient’s needs were met. I was supervised by a senior staff member and received constructive feedback on a monthly basis which allowed me to develop my skills and grow in the role.’

‘I grew up as the oldest of six siblings and had to look after my younger brothers and sisters from an early age. This has taught me how to be patient and compassionate if someone is physically unable to perform certain tasks, and how to persist in difficult situations. I also care a lot about animals and volunteer at the local shelter on weekends.’