Personal Support Worker

Title: Personal Support Worker

Job Summary

The Personal Support Worker assists patients with their personal care and activities of daily living. All direct patient care activities are performed under the direction of a Home Support Supervisor who is a Registered Nurse or Registered Practical Nurse.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Adheres to the safe work/risk management policies and practices of Spectrum Health Care.
• Works within the Ethical Practice Framework of Spectrum Health Care.
• Understands the range of services provided by each division of the Spectrum family and how it contributes to our model of Total Client Care.
• Continually assesses, anticipates, identifies and responds to new and changing needs of patients and communicates available Total Client Care resources to patients when appropriate.
• Provides personal care for medically stable patients under the direction of a care plan and a Home Support Supervisor.
• Assists person(s) with activities of daily living such as bathing, toileting, hygiene, skin care, light meal preparation including warming up, feeding and transfers.
• Performs light housekeeping duties such as washing dishes, taking out the garbage and laundry. Sweeping and vacuuming may be required, if indicated.
• Performs delegated tasks facilitated by regulated health professionals in compliance with the Spectrum Home Support Supervisor.
• May assume responsibility of delegated tasks including eye drops, medicated cream application, use of a mechanical lift, testing of blood sugars and administration of insulin on a patient specific basis once trained by the Home Support Supervisor.
• Must continuously observe patients and their environments as well as report and document unsafe conditions including behavioral, physical, and/or cognitive changes to designated family members, supervisor and/or coordinator.
• Listens, observes and communicates any concerns/changes in the patient's physical and/or emotional condition to the Home Support Supervisor or Client Service Coordinator.
• Completion of documentation outlining the care provided, including changes and/or concerns about the patient.
• Regularly assesses the patient's surroundings to ensure that patients have a safe home environment.
• Utilizes routine practices and appropriate PPE as applicable.
• Assists with diapering/toileting, empties and cleans urinals/commodes/catheter bags and measures urine output, empties and cleans colostomy bags and records output.
• Assists with transfer of patient to wheelchair, chair, commode or bed.
• Assists with the positioning of patients in bed or chair.
• May assist and or supervise patient specific delegated exercise/activities to maintain mobility and independence as directed by the Home Support Supervisor and/or Physiotherapist.
• If directed by a Home Support Supervisor or Client Service Coordinator, may assist the patient who is a child with bathing, dressing and feeding.
• If directed by a Home Support Supervisor or Client Service Coordinator, may perform errands related to patient requests within the policy guidelines of Spectrum Health Care.
• May strip and make patient bed when required.
• Check Spectrum Health Care voicemail box no less than twice each day.
• Attend all mandatory in-Services and other educational programs.

Skills and Qualifications:

• A BSc. in Nursing and RN License.
• Current CPR and First Aid Certificate.
• MUST be willing to drive upon arrival - must have a valid driver's license or currently in possession of a learner's permit.
• Effective English communication skills, written and verbal.
• Simple mathematics skills - addition & subtraction required for recording intake and output.
• Ability to interact with others in a caring, tactful and courteous manner.
• Ability to work independently within the scope of the role and prioritize workload.

Physical requirements:

• Required to walk, stand, bend-over and reach.
• Assist with patient transfers.
• Commuting - Public transportation and/or driving.

Working Conditions/Environment:

Working conditions can vary depending on the patient's home environment and the level of cleanliness. The immediate work environment of the Personal Support Worker has to be conducive to achieving a safe completion of the care plan. If not, the Home Support Supervisor and/or Care Coordinator has to be informed.

Physical workplace hazards:

• Common allergens such as dust and pollen from plants in the patient's home.
• Exposure to household animals/pets.
• Second-hand smoke from the patients in their homes.
• Combative behavior from patients who are confused or agitated.
• Conflict situations with patients, family members and/or friends.
• There may be exposure to infectious diseases and viruses when providing patient care.
• Driving in adverse weather and conditions.

Disclaimer:

The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.