Personal Support Worker (PSW)

PERSONAL SUPPORT WORKER (PSW) 

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: REGISTERED PRACTICAL NURSE OR REGISTERED NURSE

POSITION SUMMARY: 
The PSW is responsible and accountable to the Registered Practical Nurse for the provision of care and services to residents, in accordance with the standards and criteria as outlined in the Ministry of Long Term Care Fixing Long Term Care Act and Regulations, and the policies and procedures of Albright Manor.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Within the established policies and procedures of Albright Manor, and the Standards and Criteria as set forth by the Ministry of Long Term Care, and under the supervision and guidance of the Registered Nursing staff, the PSW will: 

• Provide all care and services required to meet all residents’ daily needs, including, but not limited to bathing, dressing, feeding, toileting, bed making, range of motion exercises, transporting, transferring, and health care as directed by the Registered Nursing Staff, always respecting residents’ rights;
• Participate in all resident programs and implement interventions designed to address inappropriate resident behaviour, as directed by the Registered Nursing staff, and always respecting residents’ rights;
• Complete all pertinent resident charting documentation, using the the electronic records documentation system, as per the requirements of the RAI-MDS System, and Albright Manor policies and procedures;
• Report immediately to the RPN/RN any changes or concerns relating to the health status/condition of residents;
• Participate in resident care conferences, and implement resident care plans as developed at the care conferences, as appropriate;
• Act as an advocate for each resident by promoting their optimum physical, social, and emotional well being at all times;
• Establish and maintain collegial relationships with fellow care providers to promote team cohesiveness, and ensure positive outcomes for residents and their families, always ensuring that the resident’s safety and well being come first;
• Maintain confidentiality relating to any resident information obtained and security of the same, at all time;
• Report any unusual resident family concerns/occurrence to the RPN for further follow up;
• Assist in the admission, transfer, and discharge of residents as directed by the RPN;
• Attend meetings, and in-service education as directed by the Registered Nursing staff;
• Attend promptly and professionally to resident requests for assistance and document as required;
• Comply with all aspects of the Manor’s Health and Safety programs including: the WHMIS Program, the Infection Control Program, the Waste Management Program, the First Aid Program, the Safe Handling of Residents Program, the Early Return to Work Program, and all Safe Operating Practices specific to the Nursing/Resident Care Department; and report all unsafe or unhealthy conditions, all accidents/illness; cooperate in health care treatment(s) and in all aspects of the early return to work/modified program; seek out first aid and comply with all work safety requirements;
  
  ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS:
• Exposure to pets, plants, perfumes, cleaning agents, dust, etc.;
• Unpredictable resident behaviour;
• Exposure to communicable diseases;
• Emotional impact in dealing with residents with deteriorating health.
  
  PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
• Constant (67-100%,of shift): standing; walking;
• Frequent (34-66% of shift): lifting; pushing; pulling; neck motion; back motion; elbow motion; shoulder motion; gripping; twisting; bending/stooping; forward reaching;
• Occasional (0-33% of shift): carrying; wrist motion; crouching; reaching above/below shoulder, reaching backward.
  
  QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
• Personal Support Worker Certificate from a provincially recognized/endorsed program;
• Graduation from Secondary School at a minimum Grade 12 level;
• Must possess good interpersonal skills, strong work ethic, excellent physical health, and a strong desire to serve other people.
  
  PROFICIENCY PERIOD: 450 Hours
  The intent of this job description is to provide a representative sample of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.