Community Support Worker - GMH

POSITION SUMMARY

The Community Support Worker, Geriatric Mental Health Team, provides expertise and guidance through observation, coaching and mentoring with personal care and activities of daily living for residents of long term care homes with behavioural expressions. Working with GMH Registered Nurses and Registered Practical Nurses, the CSW will enhance the quality of life for residents with behavioural expressions in their own homes (LTC Homes). The CSW is part of a team that provides support to individual residents, transitional management between health care providers and ongoing training for residents, families and clinicians. As a valued member of the County of Simcoe Long Term Care and Seniors Services, the (GMH) Community Support Worker, demonstrates a commitment to Resident Safety by providing quality care in accordance with the organization’s mission, vision and values.

** Geographic Location for this role is Muskoka and surrounding area **

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (not listed in order of priority)

1. Assists the care team in the development of a care plan that includes a restorative care approach in all ADLs.

2. Follows standard infection control practices and enhanced precautions as instructed.

3. Is familiar with the emergency response plans for the Home including Code White and Code Red.

4. Takes direction from registered staff and management regarding priority setting.

5. Uses the agreed upon strategies to address responsive behaviours and reports promptly to the RN or RPN when responsive behaviours are escalating in order to prevent challenging crisis situations.

6. Offers suggestions to the development of resident care plan with special emphasis on strategies to manage behavioural expressions.

7. Acts as coach and mentor to the care team to guide the implementation of care plan.

8. Participates in inter-disciplinary huddles/meetings, resident care conferences, and staff development educational opportunities.

9. Reports any changes in conditions or abilities as well as any observations to home and GMH Registered Staff in order to identify at risk residents.

10. Participates in and demonstrates an understanding of resident safety principles and practices into all day to day activities. Follows all safe work practices and procedures and immediately communicates any activity or action which may constitute a risk to resident safety.

11. Reports suspected or witnessed abuse immediately to a registered staff member and supervisor.

12. Documents as per standards (i.e. recordings of Direct Observational System).

13. Effectively utilizes all electronic systems provided in accordance with electronic devices policies.

14. Other duties as assigned, including redeployment in emergency situations.

15. Works in compliance with the Occupational Health & Safety Act and the Long Term Care Homes Act, and their regulations in performing duties in a safe manner and follows all County of Simcoe Health & Safety policies, procedures and legislation.

16. Maintain confidentiality in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the Personal Health Information Protection Act.

CORPORATE COMPETENCIES

Has knowledge of and demonstrated ability in our corporate competencies:

• Acts with the Customer in Mind

• Ensures Accountability

• Continuously Seeks to Improve Work Processes

• Collaborates

• Communicates with Impact

• Is Resilient

EDUCATION, TECHNICAL SKILLS AND CERTIFICATION

• Completion of the Personal Support Worker Certification program as per the requirements of the Long Term Care Homes Act and Regulations. This job may be considered for educational equivalency in accordance with County Policy.

• Ability to work effectively with others in an inter-professional care team.

• Familiarity with the Long Term Care Homes Act and Regulations.

• Knowledge of GPA and U-First! Or willingness to receive such training.

• Sound understanding of and commitment to the principles of the Behavioural Supports Ontario and the North Simcoe Muskoka Specialized Geriatric Services Program.

• Person and care giver focused care.

• Ability to implement best practice in dementia, delirium, mental health issues and their effect on persons, families and caregivers, based on scope of practice.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with other members of inter-professional care teams, residents, family members and community team members.

• Effectiveness as a team member through collaboration, respect and effective communication

• Commitment to quality improvement and change initiatives.

• Ability to adapt positively and productively to changes in work environment.

• Ability to recognize and access support to deal with empathic strain.

• Ability to work in collaboration with the care team to organize and prioritize work effectively, manage a full work-load and meet deadlines in a busy environment.

• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.

• Client-centered focus and commitment to the Mission, Vision, Values and Goals of Georgian Manor and the County of Simcoe.

• Demonstrates professionalism in interaction with internal and external contacts.

• Strong customer service skills.

• Ability to coach and mentor team members.

• Ability to take advantage of teachable moments and provide coaching and mentoring during the provision of care.

• Commitment to the establishment of therapeutic relationships with residents and their families.

• Effectiveness working with minimal supervision with proven reliability and trustworthiness.

• Good physical condition to meet the physical demands of the position.

• Valid driver’s license and access to reliable vehicle.

• Criminal Records Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening that is less than six (6) months old at time of hire.

• As a condition of employment, candidates are required to submit documented results of TB testing, as per Public Health requirements.

• Proof of annual CPR recertification.

EXPERIENCE

• Prefer one year experience with geriatric clients, in Long Term Care Homes.

• Experience with quality improvement processes an asset.

EFFORT

• Analytical skills required when carrying out, and demonstrating care plans with residents, and coaching staff at the homes.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Work schedule to be determined; ability to work days, evenings, nights and weekends required.

• Frequent walking, standing

• Frequent contact with clients exhibiting behavioural expressions

• Potential exposure to hazards typically found in health-care environments

• Frequent driving to work locations using own vehicle

#COSIND