Personal Support Worker - City of Toronto, Toronto

Position summary

The City’s Seniors Services and Long-Term Care Division supports Toronto seniors and residents in long-term care homes to have the healthiest, most fulfilling lives possible through exceptional care and services. Vulnerable individuals who reside in the community are supported through adult day programs, supportive housing services, tenancy support and homemakers and nurses services.

CareTO is our brand for the culture change we are investing in for the City’s 10 directly operated long-term care homes. The division values Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence which shape our organizational culture, our priorities, and the experiences of all those who live, work, volunteer, and visit.

Key duties

• Participates as a member of the multi-disciplinary team, providing resident/client information to aid in the development of care plans. Attends team meetings.
• Assists the Registered Practical Nurse with resident/client admittances, transfers, and departures/deaths, including familiarization with staff, residents, and surroundings, and personal care. Prepares a listing of personal clothing and other belongings upon arrival.
• Observes and reports on resident/client emotional and physical condition. Communicates general progress of resident/client, including sudden changes.
• Assists residents/clients with personal hygiene, bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, etc. Provides general care for bedridden residents/clients, such as positioning, assisting with elimination, skin care, delivering food, and feeding. Applies topical medications such as skin care creams and lotions, as directed.
• Assists residents/clients in daily exercise program and use of rehabilitative equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, canes, etc. Assists residents/clients with ambulation and transferring using applicable electric/hydraulic/manual equipment and lifting devices. Transfers residents to and from dining area.
• Checks residents/clients diet for prescribed consistency, feeds or assists with adaptive eating devices, monitors and logs intake, and provides hygienic and mouth care after meal. Collects and cleans dentures as required.
• Prepares and delivers beverages and snacks to residents/clients. Loads, unloads, and cleans cart.
• Measures temperature, radial pulse, respirations, and weight and records bowel and bladder output. Collects specimens as directed.
• Cleans and shrouds bodies of deceased residents/clients. Packs and labels belongings.
• Changes linen, makes beds, and sorts and bags soiled linen. Stocks linen cart with clean supplies daily. Sorts personal laundry of residents/clients upon delivery and places in drawers and closets.
• Maintains the cleanliness and neatness of resident/client living area and the work unit, e.g. nursing station and rooms.
• Cleans, sanitizes and distributes personal care items such as brushes, combs, and nursing supplies. Rinses whirlpool tubs.
• Records observations and personal care provided to residents/clients.
• Promotes emotional well being of residents/clients through discussion, comforting, etc.
• Monitors resident/client safety in accordance with plan of care; implements precautionary measures as ordered by physician, e.g. collecting and securing personal belongings (glasses, hearing, aids, dentures, etc.). Reports incidents to Head Nurse or R.N., such as disruptive behaviour, fire hazards, and security problems.
• Participates in the organization and implementation of social and recreational programs for residents/clients. Assists residents/participants with crafts and use of musical instruments, recreational and sports equipment. Reports resident/client participation and progress to R.N. or Day Centre Supervisor. Escort's residents/clients to outpatient clinics or on outings, as directed.
• Monitors senior comfort allowances in Day Care Centre.
• Participates in organizing regular and special events for residents/clients, such as birthday parties, picnics, and shopping trips.
• Arranges for escort and/or transportation, as required.

Requirements

• Successfully completed a Personal Support Worker Program or Training that meets the vocational standards established by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, the standards established by the National Association of Career Colleges, or the standards established by the Ontario Community Support Association and other requirements as required by Ontario 246/22 of the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021
• Experience in providing personal care to ambulant and non-ambulant residents in a long term or rehabilitation care setting.
• Registration with Health and Supportive Care Providers Oversight Authority (HSCPOA) will be considered an asset.
• Excellent ability to communicate in writing care and service delivered to residents.
• Excellent ability to communicate verbally with residents, families, staff members, and the visiting public.
• Sensitive, empathetic and understanding of resident behaviour and needs.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Must be willing to participate in in-service education programs.
• Physically capable of lifting, turning and transferring residents manually and with a mechanical lift as per standards and procedures.
• Ability to demonstrate a high level of Accountability, Adaptability and Change, Continuous Improvement and Innovation, Customer Service Focus, Teamwork, and Toronto Public Service Commitment.
• Ability to organize work in a manner that ensures resident safety.
• Knowledge of basic infection control principles and the use of personal protective equipment.
• Excellent ability to follow policies of the Senior Services & Long-Term Care Division and applicable legislation and regulations.
• Ability to support the Toronto Public Service values to ensure a culture that champions equity, diversity, and respectful workplaces.