Position Summary
The Personal Support Worker reports to the Registered Staff in charge of the shift and is responsible for providing care to residents according to their care plans and assisting in the identification of resident needs. The Personal Support Worker assists in maintaining a safe and secure environment for residents, visitors, and other staff members. All duties are performed in the best interest of the residents and their families, and in accordance with AgeCare’s vision, mission, and values statements.
Within the scope of this position, the Personal Support Worker takes on a key role to continually provide an environment promoting a culture of client safety and freedom from harm and injury.
Value Based Work
All positions must work demonstrating AgeCare’s values of Trust, Respect, Quality and Teamwork. AgeCare is committed to providing a respectful environment, and we believe that when we work together and live our values, we honour our rights and responsibilities.
Core Outcomes
Resident Relations:
Promotes and respects the Resident Bill of Rights.
Assists in meeting residents' needs as directed:
Assists residents with belongings (e.g. unpacking, storing, clothing labels).
Gives bed/tub baths and showers to those requiring assistance. Assists with personal grooming (e.g. hair and nail care).
Assists with oral hygiene including cleaning teeth and dentures.
Assists residents during meals with food and beverage selection, set-up, encourage and physical assistance as needed.
Provides nourishment to residents between meals.
Assists in the ambulation and toileting of residents.
Assists residents to use the bedpan/urinal.
Empties bedpans and collects urine and fecal specimens.
Answers call bells.
Makes residents' beds, changes linens, and tidies dresser, bedside tables, and other furniture.
Collects charts, records, and reports.
Collects and bags soiled linen for dispatch to laundry and sorts and stores clean linen.
Cleans, sterilizes, and disinfects instruments and equipment.
Assists in the implementation of the Guidelines on Activation and the Activity Program (e.g. bringing residents to scheduled activities).
Assists in the implementation of the Restorative Care Program.
Applies and monitors resident restraints and Personal Assistance Service Devices (PASDs) under supervision and in accordance with residence policies and procedures.
Informs supervisor of supply needs.
Stores laundered garments in residents’ rooms.
Assists in the development of Resident Care Plans (e.g., providing information for or participating in Resident Care Conferences). Must be thoroughly familiar with the care need intervention outlined in the Resident Care Plan.
Assists in the admission and discharge of residents by escorting new residents to assigned rooms, unpacking, and storing their clothing and valuables.
Responds to resident or family member concerns and ensures appropriate action is taken within decision-making authority and/or brings to the attention of immediate supervisor.
Marketing & Occupancy:
Effectively communicates and interacts with residents, family members, visitors, and volunteers in a courteous and professional manner.
Regulatory Compliance:
Conducts duties in accordance with AgeCare policies and procedures, as well as government regulations, laws, and policies.
Understands and follows all health and safety policies and procedures. Works safely to reduce the risk of injury to self, other staff members and residents. Promptly reports all actual or potentially hazardous situations or injuries to immediate supervisor.
Maintains confidentiality of residents’ personal information.
Operational & Administrative Systems:
Assists in the monitoring of care given to residents ensuring it is in accordance with the established plan of care by observing residents and reporting findings to immediate supervisor.
Assists in the documentation of information pertaining to the care of residents as directed.
Attends in-service education sessions, staff meetings, and workshops as directed.
Assists in the onboarding of new staff as directed.
Must follow IPAC (Infection Prevention and Control) policies and procedures.
Completes charting (where applicable):
Point of Care documentation of resident care activities, food and fluid intake, elimination, responsive behaviours
Weight records
equipment cleaning
other documentation as required
Responsible to keep current of Resident Care Plan changes by reading the plan and the Kardex on a regular basis and after a leave of absence.
Identifies and documents building/equipment breakdowns in maintenance log.
Other:
Receives and escort visitors.
Attends and participates in departmental meetings, huddles, shift report.
Performs other related duties as required.
Qualifications
Experience:
Knowledge of procedures and techniques involved in administering simple treatments and related bedside care to residents. Must understand the basics of good sanitation and clean techniques. Knowledgeable with respect to the needs of geriatric residents.
Education:
Graduate of Personal Support Worker (PSW) Certificate/Diploma Program. Program must:
Meet the vocational standards established by the Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities.
Meet the standards established by the National Association of Career Colleges; or
Meet the standards established by the Ontario Community Support Association; and
Be a minimum of 600 hours in duration (counting both class time and practical experience time).
May also be a:
Registered Nurse or Registered Practical Nurse who has the skills and knowledge to perform the duties of a Personal Support Worker.
Student who is enrolled in an educational program for registered nurses or registered practical nurses, and who, have adequate skills and knowledge to perform the duties of a Personal Support Worker; or
Person who is enrolled in a Personal Support Worker Program and who is completing the practical experience requirements of the program, but such a person must work under the supervision of a member of the registered nursing staff and an instructor from the program. (A person who is enrolled in a Personal Support Worker Program must successfully complete the program within 5 years of hire date).
Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
Must be mature.
Effective communication (both written and verbal) and interpersonal skills with the ability to exercise tact and diplomacy in dealing with residents, families, and visitors.
Must be sensitive and empathetic to the needs of the residents.
Special Requirements
Constant standing and walking. Turning, stooping, bending, and lifting. Finger and hand dexterity to handle delicate instruments and other equipment. Visual and hearing acuity to detect changes in residents' condition.
Must be able to work knowing that errors may result in serious consequences for residents. Must possess initiative and judgment in recognizing symptoms indicative of residents' adverse reactions to treatments. Must be willing to perform a variety of simple repetitive tasks many of which involve unpleasant conditions.
Work is performed indoors in well-light ventilated rooms. Possibility of sustaining cuts and minor burns from instruments and equipment. May be exposed to communicable disease. Possibility of strains due to moving residents or injury from irrational residents.
Work requires frequent and constant standing, walking, bending, lifting, and carrying.
Must be prepared to respond to emergency situations.
Criminal Records Check and Vulnerable Persons Check.
Physical Demands
Job requires a significant amount of sitting, standing, reaching, walking, lifting, and transferring. Significant amount of pushing and pulling. According to the National Occupational Classification (NOC) Definitions, this job is considered “Medium.”
Occasionally lifts objects up to 50 lbs.
Frequently lifts objects up to 20 lbs.
Constantly lifts objects up to 10 lbs.
Frequent walking, standing, pushing, and pulling of arm and leg controls.
Constantly pushing and pulling of arm controls while seated.
Frequent eye hand coordination.
Fine motor tasks & finger dexterity.
Frequent gross motor skills.
Must be able to balance and handle physically and mentally demanding situations; demands and conflicting priorities in the workplace.
Required to adjust work demands mentally & physically to the individual situation.
Health and safety risks
Physical
Works in a typical office area and nursing units which are well lit on day shift; exposed to daylight with windows close by the workstation; when working after dusk and during night, lighting on units is dim; using specialized equipment and supplies; working isolation; small spaces; clutter; work on a flat stable surface in a temperature regulated building; internal temperature changes varying with seasonal weather conditions; slippery floors, noise levels moderate from time to time: call bells.
Ergonomic
Repetitive movements; above shoulder reaching, reaching at floor level, constant reaching at or below shoulder level; awkward positions; forward bending; constant lifting and transferring; some small resident rooms with tight spaces for transfers and the provision of care; portering clients: Broda Chairs, wheelchairs, walkers; significant amount of walking and climbing stairs; fatigue; over-exertion; aggressive clients; cognitively challenging clients; telephone calls; constant interruptions.
Chemical
WHMIS & Control products (e.g., cleaning products, skin & wound products, shampoos, soaps, antiseptic and anti-bacterial solutions, Oxygen)
Biological
Contact with blood & body fluids.
Exposure to illnesses common to communal living environments (Influenza, colds, GI illnesses, other bacteria & viruses).
Plants and animals
Environmental
Slippery floors, working alone (or in isolation) and traveling to external meetings.
Radiation
None
Occupational Health and Safety Responsibilities
Is responsible for own health and safety by complying with all policies and procedures.
Participate in the Occupational Health and Safety Program.
Attend health and safety training and education sessions.
Report all incidents, injuries, and illness to Supervisor immediately.
Report all substandard practices, conditions, and potential hazards.
Work within the Occupational Health & Safety Legislation: specific job responsibilities, daily identification of hazards and controls as required.
Comply with H&S documentation (Hazard ID forms, including Near Misses; Employee Unusual Incident Investigation Reports); the use of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) (gloves, gowns, masks).
Ensure equipment is maintained in good working order.
Use and operate equipment in a safe and proper manner and for the intended purpose, according to policies and procedures, telephone, resident care equipment mechanical lifts, tubs, bathing supplies & equipment; medication carts, care carts, Dining Room chairs and feeding tables, wheelchairs, Broda chairs, walkers, vital sign equipment (blood pressure cuff, stethoscope, thermometer), feeding utensils & dishes.
Refuse unsafe work.
