Personal Support Worker

KEY FUNCTION:
Assist patients who are recovering from mental health and addiction diagnoses, including supporting activities of daily living, life skills, and promoting mental health wellness in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team.

REPORTING:
Under the general direction of the Clinical Manager, Acute Inpatient Psychiatry (AIP).

DUTIES:
1. Protect and promote the welfare, dignity, and individual rights of patients at all times.
2. Provide assistance to nursing staff with lifting and guiding movements.
3. Assist with patient watches/supervision as required.
4. Provide assistance to health care staff on AIP with wellness activities.
5. Assist patients with personal hygiene including helping set up bathing, toileting, shaving, dressing, grooming, laundry, and meal support as required.
6. Contribute to the overall safety of the unit by assisting with formal safety checks, regular environmental checks, and room checks.
7. Assist with escorting patients to and from activities and tests.
8. Provide updates to the charge nurse or nurse responsible for the patient on an ongoing basis.
9. Report any observations of unusual/suspicious/inappropriate behaviour to the appropriate staff member.
10. Contribute to the maintenance of a clean and orderly environment.
11. Assist patients in life skills and encourage development of acceptable social behaviours.
12. Participate in education and training specific to current, relevant federal and provincial health and safety legislation, standards and guidelines.
13. Participate in hospital training as required.
14. Assist with improvement initiatives as required.
15. Perform other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION AND TRAINING:
1. Minimum of a Personal Support Worker Certificate from an accredited college.
2. Current Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certificate required.
3. Formal Mental Health, Mental Health and Addictions, or Community Mental Health Worker training is preferred.
4. Current certification in Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) and Gentle Persuasion Approaches to Dementia Care (GPA) is preferred.
5. Ministry of Labour “Worker Health and Safety Awareness in 4 Steps” training certificate is required.

EXPERIENCE:
1. Minimum of six (6) months’ experience working as a Personal Support Worker in a hospital setting.
2. Experience working with patients with mental health and addiction diagnoses, dementia, or other cognitive disabilities is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:
1. Demonstrated ability to effectively interact and communicate with patients, families, and healthcare workers.
2. Demonstrated ability to deal effectively and co-operatively with all levels of staff, patients, physicians, volunteers and the public.
3. Demonstrated ability to work effectively and efficiently as a team member in a fast-paced environment.
4. Demonstrated working knowledge of equipment used in the delivery of patient care.
5. Demonstrated discretion and maturity when handling confidential information.
6. Demonstrated intermediate computer skills with Outlook and applicable patient information systems.
7. Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills.
8. Ability to prioritize tasks.
9. Demonstrated compliance with HSN’s privacy policy.
10. Demonstrated commitment to the safety of co-workers and patients.

PERSONAL SUITABILITY:
1. Successful Vulnerable Sector Check is required.
2. Proven ability to work independently and in a team environment.
3. Ability to use tact and discretion in dealing with health care providers and employees.
4. Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development.
5. Demonstrated professionalism in dealing with confidential and sensitive issues.
6. Demonstrated ability to effectively deal with conflict
7. Demonstrated positive work record and good attendance record.
8. Ability to meet the physical and sensory demands of the job.
9. Ability to travel between local sites.

Selection Process:  Candidates will be selected for this position on the basis of their skill, ability, experience and qualifications as identified in the resume and completed Application Form submitted. The Hospital reserves the right to conduct a formal interview where required. This posting is for an existing vacancy.
 

Health Sciences North is committed to providing accommodations to applicants with disabilities to enable their participation in the recruitment, assessment, selection and hiring stages of employment.

HSN THANKS ALL APPLICANTS.
ONLY THOSE SELECTED FOR INTERVIEWS WILL BE CONTACTED.
WE WILL NOT ACCEPT APPLICATIONS AFTER THE CLOSING DATE AND TIME.