Personal Support Worker

Location Earls Court Village, London, ON

Reports To: Charge Nurse/Director of Care

Hours of Work:

  • Shift work- Monday through Sunday
  • Flexibility is required
  • Weekends, Holidays required

Purpose
Under the direction of the RPN/RN Charge Nurse, Director of Care, the PSW provides individualized resident care for an assigned group of residents in order to promote the residents comfort, dignity and safety according to the residents specific needs; bathing (tub/shower/bed) minimum 2 times per week; oral care; nail care; hair care; skin care (preventative ad special skin care); shaving, and dressing and undressing, continent care and training. Ensures the resident is dressed comfortably and neatly. Empties urinary drainage bag and reports output to the registered staff member. Monitors and records bowel movement of assigned residents. Ensures that individual supports for assigned residents (i.e. Braces, hand supports, prosthetic devices and adaptive devices) are applied according to individual needs and items/equipment is clean and labelled.

General Summary of Duties
The PSW provides safe care and services to assigned residents and documents all personal care and services provided in Point of Care and on appropriate flow sheets/tools.

Responsibilities, including but not limited to

  • Observes and monitors condition of residents and reports changes in physical or mental condition to the Registered Staff. Is responsible and accountable for the documentation of care and services provided.
  • Cooperates in the provision of life enrichment programs for the resident and participates/supports restorative care programs.
  • Provides for restorative care needs; ambulation of resident, passive and active exercises; restorative eating and ADL’s in conjunction with the restorative care team.
  • Assists in ensuring that established safety procedures are followed.
  • Notifies the Registered Staff of incidents or accidents of residents immediately.
  • Collaborates with other members of the health care team and maintains cooperative relationships with other staff members. Participates in meetings related to resident care, health and safety, fire safety, prevention of Abuse and Neglect, Infection Prevention and Control and other related education sessions as directed.
  • Liaises with families of residents, refers concerns to the Registered Staff.
  • Assists/participates in the facility wide Quality Improvement/Risk Management program of the Home.
  • Provides resident specific toileting regime for each resident as outlined in plan of care.
  • May apply specific creams and ointments as directed by the registered staff.
  • Ensures that personal care items are clean, labelled and accessible to residents (toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, brush, basin, k-basin, urinal, bedpan (if required), personal razors, and denture cups (if required). Follows assignments for cleaning and checking of items. Cleans and checks items after each use.
  • Ensures that personal items i.e. glasses, dentures, hearing aides are clean, accessible, functional and labelled. (Complete labelling if necessary)
  • Ensures cleanliness and tidiness of residents unit (bedside table, closet, personal chairs, bed, side rails etc.) cleans and checks items every shift. Ensures that resident specific equipment i.e. wheelchairs, and walkers are clean, labelled and in good repair. Such equipment to be cleaned as per schedule and PRN (i.e. following meals).
  • Ensures that call bells are functional for each resident, and accessible for each resident. Reports malfunctioning of call bells to registered staff and documents in the Maintenance Repair log. (*Note: maintenance is to be notified immediately if a call bell is not functioning)
  • Assists in the maintenance of a clean and safe environment-cleaning of equipment;(resident specific and facility) reports to registered staff and documents in the Maintenance Repair Log any environmental issues; areas requiring painting, equipment malfunctioning (place out of order sign on equipment and remove from unit); inspects equipment prior to use (i.e. slings for lifts, hand control for lift units)
  • Follows infection control practices in use of gloves, disinfecting and/or cleaning of equipment; handling of soiled linens, hand washing, reporting respiratory, skin, or gastrointestinal signs and symptoms of residents to RN/RPN
  • Meal service: assists in the delivery of meals to residents, on unit and in main dinging room; ensures individuals receive proper diet according to physician orders; monitors intake and records all food and fluid intake per Sharon Village Care Home policy; provides nourishments to each resident and assists residents where required. Documents food and fluid intake immediately following each meal. Reports to RN/RPN any resident with inadequate food and fluid intake.
  • Participates in the review and revision of the residents Care Plan, resident information guide, multidisciplinary conference, unit meeting, facility wide Continuous Quality Improvement/Risk Management program and other nursing related committees as assigned.
  • Participates in the ongoing assessment for skin and wound care; continence care; pain assessment and management; hot weather assessments; and responsive behaviours.
  • Has knowledge of and supports activation and restorative care programs for residents; provides encouragement to residents.
  • Has knowledge of minimal restraint policy and adheres to “minimal restraint” practices. Provides repositioning, toileting and routine checks according to Sharon Village Care Home policies, expectations of the LTCHA 2007 and Regs. 79/10.
  • Participates in the monthly education sessions for the Nursing department as well as “Mandatory All Staff” sessions.
  • Has knowledge of and adheres to practices related to “end of life care”
  • Assists with admission, transfer and discharge of residents
  • Weighs residents monthly during the first week of the month. If a weight variance will reweigh under the direction of registered staff. Height will be measured on admission.
  • Interacts with families, volunteers and visitors to the Home
  • Reports any incidents, observations of skin tears, bruises, open areas and any other abnormalities noted in a resident to the RN/RPN
  • Must have knowledge of and adhere to practices of safe transfers; adheres to “minimal lift policy”; use of ceiling and other mechanical lifts. Must not use any mechanical life independently; must follow the “’decal” outline for each resident. Must participate in the annual education program for Lifts and Transfers.
  • Must understand role with residents who exhibit “Responsive Behaviours”
  • Must have knowledge of and adhere to all department policies and procedures relative to job classification.
  • Completes other duties as assigned.

Knowledge:
The employee will:

  • Effective April 1, 2013, must be registered with the PSW Registry as per MOH mandate—a copy must be provided to the Home.
  • Have evidence of successful completion of an accredited PSW program. Restorative Care training is desirable.
  • Have experience in a long term care setting.
  • Be able to deal with unusual situations; set priorities; deal with stress and time pressures.
  • Follow guidelines, policies, and procedures established by the Tyndall Seniors Village.
  • Be aware of the MOHLTC LTC Quality Inspection Program, LTCHA 2007 and Regs. 79/10
  • Must understand concept of disease transmission and importance of hand washing.
  • Computer skills (Point of Care ®)
  • Excellent interpersonal skills
    • Effective verbal and listening communications skills; communicates clearly and concisely
    • Effective written and oral communications skills
    • Excellent time management skills

Personal Attributes
The employee possesses the following personal attributes:

  • Be honest and trustworthy
  • Is an energetic, compassionate person who enjoys working with the elderly
  • Is respectful
  • Possesses cultural awareness and sensitivity
  • Is flexible
  • Demonstrate sound work ethics
  • Ability to work well with people in all settings
  • Ability to exercise good/professional judgment

Physical Demands
The employee may:

  • Lifting alone, maximum 40 lbs., (5-25 lbs. usual), as a major job function.
  • Lifting with assistance, maximum 160 lbs. (100-120 lbs. usual) as a major job function
  • Pushing/pulling, using wheeled equipment such as linen/care carts, trolleys with contents that weigh a maximum 50 lbs., (5-25 lbs. usual) as a major job function.
  • Stretching/reaching on a regular frequency throughout the shift, as a minor job function.
  • Walking, with possibility of some upstairs walking, up to 4 hours maximum, (1-2 usual) as a major job function.
  • Standing, for lengths of time, up to 3 hours maximum, (1-2 hrs. usual) as a major job function.
  • Bending/stooping on a regular frequency throughout the shift, as a major job function.
  • Crouching/kneeling for short periods of time as a minor job function.
  • Carries and transports objects of various sizes, to a maximum of 25 lbs. (5-15 lbs. usual) as a major job function.

Working Conditions
The employee will:

  • Deal with a variety of residents who may be resistive and have Responsive Behaviours.
  • May work in extreme heat during summer months.

Sensory & Mental Demands
The employee will experience:

  • Frequent use of visual and auditory senses to monitor Residents’ responses to activities.
  • Regular stress associated with dealing with the needs of the elderly.

Education & Training:
The employee must participate in annual training sessions relating to:

  • Fire Safety
  • Occupational Health & Safety Reviews
  • Infection Prevention and Control
  • Safe Lifting Practices (body mechanics, use of lifting equipment)
  • Abuse & Neglect recognition and prevention
  • Residents Rights
  • Other education and training sessions as required through the MOHLTC, LTCHA 2007 and Reg. 79/10.
  • Education sessions will be provided in house, externally or through on-line learning.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY (OH&S) RESPONSIBILITIES
Employee will:

  • Be aware of OH&S responsibilities and follows all health and safety policies and procedures as set out in the employee safety program hand book and departmental manuals.
  • Works safely to reduce the risk of injury to self, co-workers, and Residents.
  • Be alert to and promptly reports all actual or potentially hazardous situations to immediate supervisor.
  • Does not operate or use faulty equipment.
  • Wear personal protective equipment (or clothing) as required by task, M.S.D.S. or home policy.
  • Promptly report personal injury to supervisor and seeks first aid as needed.
  • Participate in fire safety demonstrations and fire drills, meetings, health and safety activities and knows the home fire and disaster plan.
  • Be a competent person as defined by the Occupational Health & Safety Act.
  • Is knowledgeable of employee’s responsibilities and follows all health and safety policies and procedures
  • Adopt work practices that support OHS programs;
  • Take reasonable care for their own health and safety and the health and safety of other people who may be affected by their conduct in the workplace;
  • Seek guidance for all new or modified work procedures;
  • Ensure that any hazardous conditions, near misses and injuries are reported immediately to the supervisor;
  • Not wilfully place at risk the health or safety of any person in the work place;
  • Not wilfully or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interest of occupational health and safety or welfare.