Lifestyle Officer Job at Southern Cross Care Canberra

Job Description

Explore Lifestyle Officer Jobs at Southern Cross Care in Campbell, Canberra ACT. Earn $39.13 per hour with salary packaging, training, Fitness Passport and career benefits.

About Southern Cross Care NSW & ACT

Southern Cross Care (NSW & ACT) is a not-for-profit aged care organisation focused on helping older people live life to the fullest.

The organisation provides services across areas including:

• Residential aged care
• Retirement living
• In-home care
• Community support

As a not-for-profit organisation, Southern Cross Care reinvests resources into services, resident experiences and employee development.

The employer promotes person-centred care, clinical excellence, inclusion and meaningful engagement.

Employees work together to support older people according to their individual needs and preferences.

Lifestyle Officer Jobs in Campbell Canberra Overview

Lifestyle Officer Jobs

This Lifestyle Officer position is located in:

Campbell, Canberra ACT 2612

The vacancy is advertised as a Casual position.

The advertised hourly rate is:

$39.13 per hour

The role is particularly suited to applicants with experience in aged care lifestyle services, leisure programs, diversional therapy or related activities.

Successful Lifestyle Officers need to understand that recreational programs in aged care are more than entertainment.

Activities should support residents’:

• Independence
• Emotional wellbeing
• Social connection
• Cultural needs
• Physical capabilities
• Cognitive wellbeing
• Spiritual needs
• Personal interests

Responsibilities

Lifestyle Officers have responsibility for developing and delivering meaningful activities for residents.

Resident Assessments

A key responsibility is undertaking lifestyle and leisure assessments.

These assessments help identify each resident’s:

• Interests
• Preferences
• Abilities
• Social needs
• Cultural needs
• Spiritual needs
• Physical capabilities
• Cognitive needs

Relevant documentation must also be completed accurately.

Individualised Lifestyle Programs

The Lifestyle Officer will help design programs based on individual resident needs.

Programs can include:

• One-to-one activities
• Small-group activities
• Large-group programs
• Special events
• Recreational activities
• Community outings

Activities should be meaningful rather than simply filling time.

One-to-One Activities

Some residents may prefer or require individual activities.

Personalised activities can be particularly valuable for residents who:

• Prefer quieter environments
• Have mobility limitations
• Have specific interests
• Find larger group settings difficult
• Need personalised engagement

Lifestyle Officers should tailor these activities to the individual.

Group Activities

The role also includes organising and facilitating group activities.

These may help residents:

• Build friendships
• Maintain social connections
• Participate in meaningful activities
• Develop confidence
• Remain engaged with their community

Activities should be designed according to the needs and capabilities of participants.

Special Events

Lifestyle Officers may assist with special events and celebrations.

These can include events based around:

• Cultural occasions
• Resident interests
• Community celebrations
• Birthdays
• Seasonal activities
• Social gatherings

Events should be inclusive and appropriate for the residents involved.

Supporting Independence

A major goal of Lifestyle Officer Jobs is helping older residents maintain as much independence as possible.

Lifestyle activities should encourage residents to:

• Make choices
• Participate in decisions
• Maintain friendships
• Stay socially active
• Use existing skills
• Explore personal interests
• Connect with their community

Rather than deciding everything for residents, Lifestyle Officers should actively involve them in planning activities.

Bus Trips and Community Outings

The position includes facilitating the outing and bus-trip program.

Responsibilities may involve:

• Helping plan outings
• Supporting resident participation
• Completing documentation
• Ensuring activities reflect resident interests
• Supporting safe participation

Community outings can help residents maintain connections beyond the residential aged care environment.

Monitoring and Evaluating Programs

Lifestyle programs should be regularly reviewed.

The Lifestyle Officer needs to evaluate whether activities are meeting residents’ needs.

This may involve:

• Observing participation
• Asking residents for feedback
• Reviewing outcomes
• Identifying areas for improvement
• Changing activities where necessary

Programs should evolve as resident preferences and abilities change.

Resident Feedback

Southern Cross Care expects Lifestyle Officers to actively seek feedback from residents.

Feedback may help determine:

• Which activities are popular
• Which activities require improvement
• What new programs residents would like
• Whether activity times are suitable
• Whether individual needs are being met

Resident feedback should contribute directly to quality improvement.

Requirements

Candidates applying for these Lifestyle Officer Jobs in Campbell should meet several important requirements.

Leisure and Lifestyle Experience

Applicants should have experience in leisure and lifestyle service provision.

Experience within aged care is particularly relevant.

Candidates should demonstrate experience in:

• Planning activities
• Conducting assessments
• Supporting residents
• Facilitating group programs
• Delivering individual programs

Communication Skills

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are required.

Lifestyle Officers regularly communicate with:

• Residents
• Family members
• Lifestyle Coordinators
• Care workers
• Nurses
• Other employees

Workers need to communicate respectfully with people from different backgrounds and with different communication needs.

Assessment and Care Planning Skills

Applicants should be able to undertake leisure-based assessments and contribute to individual care planning.

Lifestyle plans should reflect the resident’s personal circumstances rather than relying on generic activities.

Understanding of Aged Care Standards

Candidates need practical knowledge of the relevant Aged Care Standards.

Understanding quality and accreditation requirements is important because lifestyle services form part of the broader care and wellbeing provided to residents.

Knowledge of Relevant Regulations

Applicants should demonstrate awareness of relevant:

• Laws
• Acts
• Regulations
• Charters
• Codes of Practice

This knowledge supports safe, ethical and compliant aged care services.

Qualifications

The essential qualification for this position is:

Certificate IV in Leisure and Health

Applicants should clearly include this qualification on their resume.

Additional qualifications that are considered desirable include:

• Diversional Therapy qualifications
• Aged care qualifications
• Other relevant leisure and lifestyle qualifications

The Certificate IV in Leisure and Health is specifically listed as an essential requirement.

Benefits

There are several benefits associated with these Lifestyle Officer Jobs at Southern Cross Care.

1. $39.13 Per Hour

The advertised salary is:

$39.13 per hour

This is the actual hourly rate published for the vacancy.

2. Salary Packaging up to $15,900

Eligible employees may access not-for-profit salary packaging of up to:

$15,900

Salary packaging can potentially allow eligible expenses to be paid using pre-tax income.

Individual financial outcomes depend on personal circumstances.

3. Meal and Entertainment Benefit

Eligible employees may also access a meal and entertainment benefit package valued at up to:

$2,650

Terms and eligibility conditions apply.

4. Fitness Passport

Southern Cross Care offers access to Fitness Passport.

The program can provide discounted access to participating:

• Gyms
• Swimming pools
• Health facilities
• Leisure centres

The benefit may also extend to eligible family members.

5. Discounted Private Health Insurance

Employees may have access to discounted private health insurance arrangements.

Applicants should confirm participating providers and current conditions with Southern Cross Care.

6. Training and Development

Southern Cross Care promotes ongoing learning and professional development.

Employees may have access to:

• Workplace training
• Professional development
• Study support
• Mentoring
• Career development programs

Continuous development can help Lifestyle Officers expand their aged care and engagement skills.

7. Career Progression

Southern Cross Care advertises genuine career progression pathways.

Programs and opportunities may include:

• Buddy Program
• New Grad Elevate Program
• Study Support
• Internal career opportunities

Employees interested in developing a long-term career within aged care may benefit from these pathways.

Heart HQ Employee Platform

Southern Cross Care employees may access Heart HQ, its people platform.

Heart HQ provides employee resources and benefits, including retail discounts and tools designed to help staff connect and engage with the organisation.

Employee Assistance Program

Employees can access an Employee Assistance Program.

This provides confidential support for eligible staff experiencing personal or workplace challenges.

Employee wellbeing initiatives also include reward and recognition programs.

Purposeful Living Programs

An important part of Lifestyle Officer Jobs is supporting residents to experience meaningful and purposeful daily lives.

Programs should reflect what matters personally to each resident.

For example, meaningful activities could involve:

• Music
• Gardening
• Art
• Games
• Reading
• Social gatherings
• Cultural activities
• Community outings
• Exercise
• Reminiscence activities

The most appropriate activity depends on the individual resident.

Quality Improvement

Lifestyle Officers contribute to ongoing quality improvement.

Resident feedback and program outcomes should be used to identify opportunities for improvement.

Workers may consider:

• Participation levels
• Resident satisfaction
• Accessibility
• Program variety
• Individual preferences
• Changing resident needs

Continuous improvement helps ensure lifestyle services remain meaningful and relevant.

Accreditation Support

The Lifestyle Officer also supports the Leisure and Lifestyle Department in meeting accreditation requirements.

This makes accurate documentation and evidence of resident-centred planning particularly important.

Employees should follow organisational procedures and relevant aged care standards.

Teamwork

Lifestyle Officers work as part of a wider aged care team.

Successful employees need to collaborate with:

• Lifestyle Coordinators
• Personal care staff
• Nurses
• Allied health professionals
• Managers
• Other support employees

Teamwork helps ensure activities complement each resident’s overall care plan.

Who Should Apply?

These Lifestyle Officer Jobs in Canberra may suit candidates who:

• Hold Certificate IV in Leisure and Health
• Have lifestyle or leisure-service experience
• Understand aged care environments
• Can conduct resident assessments
• Have care-planning skills
• Understand Aged Care Standards
• Have excellent communication skills
• Enjoy designing meaningful activities
• Can work effectively within a team
• Support resident independence and choice

Diversional Therapy or aged care qualifications are considered an additional advantage.

Diversity and Inclusion

Southern Cross Care is an equal opportunity employer.

The organisation aims to provide a safe, respectful and inclusive workplace.

Applications are welcomed from people from diverse backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and culturally diverse communities.

Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit and organisational requirements.

How to Apply

Candidates interested in the Lifestyle Officer position should submit an online application through the original Southern Cross Care vacancy.

Before applying, prepare an updated resume highlighting:

• Certificate IV in Leisure and Health
• Lifestyle program experience
• Aged care experience
• Resident assessment skills
• Care planning experience
• Diversional Therapy experience
• Group activity facilitation
• Individual activity planning
• Knowledge of Aged Care Standards
• Communication skills

Applicants should provide practical examples of programs or activities they have previously planned or facilitated.

Build Your Lifestyle Career with Southern Cross Care

For candidates searching for Lifestyle Officer Jobs in Canberra, this Southern Cross Care position provides an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the daily lives of older Australians.

The role pays $39.13 per hour and provides access to benefits such as salary packaging, meal and entertainment benefits, Fitness Passport, wellbeing programs, professional development and potential career progression.

Most importantly, the position allows you to design programs that help residents maintain independence, friendships, interests and meaningful connections.

If you hold a Certificate IV in Leisure and Health and have experience delivering leisure and lifestyle services, this casual position in Campbell may provide a rewarding next step in your aged care career.