Personal Support Worker

Requisition Details:

Employment Status: Regular, Part-Time (0.8 FTE)

Program Name: eHomecare

Number of Hours Bi-Weekly: 64

Work Schedule: Nights, Weekends

Union/Bargaining Unit: SEIU

On Call: Yes

Location(s): Sarnia-Lambton

Existing Vacancy: Yes - we're currently hiring candidates for an existing vacancy in this position.

Are you a PSW who graduated in Ontario on or after April 1, 2023? You may qualify for the Personal Support Worker Return of Service (PSW ROS) through Health Force Ontario. This program provides a $10,000 incentive to eligible PSWs in exchange for a 12-month commitment at a full-time work schedule to an eligible employer. Click here for more information: https://www.healthforceontario.ca/en/Home/All_Programs/PSW_Return_of_Service

Job Summary:

Our Health Care Technicians, Palliative and/or Acute Medically Complex have unique opportunities to use their talents every day with palliative and/or acute medically complex clients respectively. Under the direction of a Registered Nurse, the Care Technician will provide direct, hands-on care to clients in their homes in conjunction with our nursing and/or Home Care programs. The Care Technician will work collaboratively and be in direct communication with the DRN through a virtual electronic monitoring system which enables the Care Technician to provide real-time information to the DRN.

Training will be provided to support advanced skill sets and requirements.

This position is eligible for the $3.00 per hour wage enhancement from the Ontario Government for all hours spent directly caring for clients.

Key Responsibilities:

• Under the direction of the DRN, the HCT observes and documents clinical data in the patient’s electronic medical record as per VON guidelines.
• Under the direction of the DRN, the HCT provides personal care to support activities of daily living and medication administration.
• Is in direct contact with the DRN through a virtual real-time electronic monitoring system.
• In collaboration with the DRN, contributes to the development and modification of a patient’s care plan based on patient outcomes observed and reported directly to the DRN.
• Under the direction of the DRN, identifies if additional resources are required in the home (e.g., home support) and coordinates required needs with the eShift office on scheduling.
• Communicates and collaborates with the family/caregiver of the patient to ensure a positive patient experience under the direction of the DRN.

External and Internal Relationships:

• Frequently communicates and interacts with Registered Nurses.
• Engages with clients and client’s family members.
• Communicates directly with the eShift administrative support staff.

Education, Designations and Experience:

• Personal Support Worker (PSW) certification.
• Developmental Support Worker (DSW) certification will be considered.
• Preferred one (1) to two (2) years’ experience as a PSW in Palliative/Pediatric or acute care (hospital).
• Current CPR and First Aid certification.
• Demonstrated knowledge of fundamentals of Palliative Care- Level I (course completion or a commitment to take the next available course within the first year of employment).
• AHPCE course completion is an asset.

Skill Requirements:

• Ability to learn and demonstrate competency for additional hands-on clinical skills required to support a patient’s activities of daily living (e.g., subcutaneous medications, G-Tube feeds and flushes, bladder irrigation).
• Ability to adjust to working in different social and economic environments.
• Awareness of community resources.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated basic observation and problem-solving skills.
• Experience in, and aptitude for, ongoing skills training as well as the ability to implement learned skills and behaviors.
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team, take direction well, and work independently.

Other:

• Must have access to a personal vehicle for business use and possess both a current driver’s license and proof of vehicle insurance.
• Willingness to travel to neighboring communities.
• Current criminal background check including a vulnerable sector screen.
• Must be able to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Working conditions and physical demands: This role requires a detail-oriented approach in a dynamic environment, with physical activity including lifting, carrying (using proper techniques), bending, reaching, kneeling, and other movements that emphasize good body mechanics. Individuals in the role are required to walk, sit, stand, and climb stairs throughout the day, with some tasks requiring fine hand movements.

Attention Current Employees (Internal Applicants): If you are applying to a unionized position and you are a member of its bargaining unit, please be aware that this posting may remain open beyond the deadline if there are not enough applicants to fill the position(s). If the posting remains open after the initial deadline, VON may close the posting at its discretion or a rolling deadline equivalent to the posting period specified in your Collective Agreement will be deemed, and each successive period will be treated as a separate posting for purposes of comparing seniority between candidates.