Primary Support Staff

Value Statement: Elmira District Community Living recognizes the importance and value in having our staff demonstrate flexibility and trust while creating a caring, safe, harmonious and fun environment for both the team and those we support.

Code of Conduct:

EDCL respects the worth, dignity and uniqueness of all persons as well as their rights and opportunities within a safe, caring environment. The code of conduct policy is intended to serve as a guide to the everyday conduct of employees providing services and supports. It is not intended to list every possible scenario that an employee might encounter since many standards of conduct are the result of established practices, customs or common sense decision making and as such are not stated explicitly.

Unacceptable actions that deviate from the standard are not acceptable and will be subject to discipline, up to and including termination of employment.

Qualifications:

1. Education and Training-

• Must be 18 years of age or older
• University Degree or DSW or college diploma in a related Human Services field or certification in a related Human Services field (ex. PSW certificate) with a minimum of 2000 hours experience, at Manager’s discretion
• Grade 12 or GED with a minimum of 4000 hours experience at Manager’s discretion
• Valid driver’s license and required insurance
• Able to obtain required training; including but not limited to; CPR, First Aid, NVCI, WHMIS, Violence in the Workplace, fire extinguisher, Bullying in the Workplace, Hand Hygiene, Donning and Doffing and all aspects of proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Attend Association Orientation
• Physically able to fulfill requirements of the job
• Available for extra training

1. Competencies-

• Flexibility; adapts to and works effectively through changing situations
• Good communication skills
• Demonstrates the ability for developing others through coaching, encouraging and constructive feedback
• Manages change; with the people, families and this association
• Takes initiative; is proactive and thinks ahead
• Leadership skills; provides inspiration, direction and clarity
• Demonstrates the ability to build networks and relationships; works cooperatively with all stakeholders to meet mutual goals
• Resilience; maintains stamina and performance under continuing stress and acts effectively under pressure
• Manages resources e.g. people, materials, funds and utilizes them effectively
• Seeks on-going self-development and takes action to improve personal capability
• Strategic thinking; links long range visions to daily work
• Good problem solving and decision making skills
• Is accountable and holds others accountable
• Creative and enthusiastic approach to the job
• Able to work independently as well as collaboratively with the entire support team
• Develops good interpersonal relations and shows respect and sensitivity to all people
• Demonstrates self-control; restrains negative responses when provoked or faced with opposition from others and takes positive action to resolve it effectively
• Service oriented; shows a high level of commitment towards all people and takes action to best meet their needs
• Commitment to this association

Responsibilities and Duties:

1. Programs- Identify, design and implement programs/goals for each person as required, utilizing input from families/guardians/advocates and other full and part-time staff.

• In conjunction with the person, family, friends and staff, create the ISP assisting the person to make choices/decisions regarding their present and future life.
• Arrange for annual ISP case conference
• Ensure that all staff are aware of and following the ISP
• Assume the role of contact person recognizing the importance of family involvement
• Support and encourage each person to develop skills and assume roles, which promote their participation and employment in the community
• Support and encourage each person to participate in the cultural, spiritual, recreational, leisure activities and affairs in the community
• Ensure all activities are in accordance with the principals and philosophy of Elmira District Community Living
• Support people in decision-making skills, exercising choices, taking reasonable risks and assuming responsibilities. Show good judgment when decisions may place a person at undue risk
• Identify organizational barriers to people’s goals and promote alternative strategies and/or approaches
• Advocates on behalf of the people, the association and for the sector
• Advocates when necessary and in conjunction with family/primary care giver, to outside agencies for consultation. Ex., appointments such as medical, OT/PT, behavioural, etc., vocational, recreational and financial or in any other areas as needed
• In conjunction with the person, assess, support and recommend them for participation in community employment or volunteer placements, while recognizing abilities and personal goals

1. Responsibilities to Family/Guardian/Advocate-

• Act as liaison
• Maintain contact on a regular basis as established by a person’s circumstances and needs, or by Manager’s direction
• Keep Families/Guardians/Advocates involved in all decision making processes and provide them with documentation
• Provide immediate contact in an emergency, crisis or health concern situation
• Involve them in the ISP process
• Make Families/Guardians/Advocates welcome in the work place

1. Administrative Duties- Maintain complete, up-to-date and confidential records and documentation for each person. Maintain complete, up-to-date financial documents including banking and monthly payments.

• Ensure monthly Financial report and Health Services report for each individual is completed and submitted to Manager for approval.
• Responsible for yearly inventory
• Order occupancy and office supplies as necessary

4. Supervisory-

• Takes charge of household responsibilities
• Acts as a resource to other employees
• Supervise daily living skills to promote independence where deemed appropriate
• Supervise care of personal hygiene
• Supervise weekly menu planning and meal preparation in accordance with Canada’s Food Guide
• Supervise housekeeping duties
• Supervise recreation and leisure activities within the home and community.
• Ensure all staff are following individual’s ISP’s
• Ensure all staff follow policies and procedures of this Association

Report to:

• Meetings with residential Manager or Supervisor as needed
• Report any problems/concerns to residential Manager or Supervisor immediately

1. Team Function-

• Act as liaison between programs, staff and the community
• Attend, participate and contribute to monthly staff meeting
• Attend and participate in meetings, discussions and decision making
• Conduct themselves in a positive and professional manner at all times
• Attend and contribute to all staff development
• Fosters, on a day-to-day basis, the inclusion of all part-time and support staff and promotes input from same
• Provide orientation of staff and volunteers and provide leadership and direction to other staff as applicable
• Maintain confidentiality between programs in relation to staff issues and performance
• Provide ongoing information to all those involved with the people we support, including; manager, staff, programs and family
• Maintain accurate communication notes where applicable
• Work within agency policy to resolve issues and concerns within the program to reach a constructive and positive outcome
• Communicate positively at all times with regard to staff and people supported
• Respect of confidentiality of all people, co-workers and agency

1. Health and Safety-

• Encourage people to assume as much responsibility for their health care needs as possible through instruction and education

• Ensure that Health and Safety guidelines, incident/accident reports and occurrences, NVCI or other crisis protocols are understood, followed and reported

• Will possess and demonstrate knowledge and certification (where applicable) of First Aid, CPR, NVCI, WHMIS, Occupational Health and Safety Act, fire prevention and other areas deemed necessary by this Association
• Ensure people are properly trained and able to demonstrate safe operating techniques on all relevant equipment, and understand the importance of wearing any protective gear, ex. safety glasses, gloves etc.
• When required, must be able to demonstrate safe lifting and transferring techniques for both mechanical and manual lifts, according to EDCL policy
• If designated Health and Safety Representative, ensure monthly fire drills are practiced and documented, and annual Health and Safety inspections are completed and documented and attend Health and Safety meetings every second month
• Be aware of evacuation and emergency procedures
• Ensure that all medications are administered and documented accurately and are kept in the designated, properly locked cabinet
• If driving Association vehicle, ensure circle check is completed as well as Ministry checklist and ensure vehicle meets standards of the MTO (if applicable)

1. Working Conditions-

• May be required to accommodate a person’s changing physical or environmental needs, ex. aging, dementia, mobility or behavioural
• Adapting to uncontrollable circumstances, for example, power outages, severe weather
• Ensure that the home is a clean, safe and enjoyable environment for everyone and meets or exceeds the standards of the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services and this Association
• Ensure that the home environment supports individuals emotional and physical well being
• May be occasionally required to perform basic maintenance duties
• Transporting individuals as needed in agency vehicles or in personal vehicle as approved by Manager/Association

Reporting Structure: Elmira District Community Living is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors who are elected by the Association’s membership in accordance with the Association’s bylaws. The reporting structure follows on down from the Board as follows; Executive Director, Services Director/Directors, Manager, Supervisor, Primary Support Staff , Direct Support Staff, other Full-time Positions, Part-time/Casual staff.

General: It is expected that all staff are aware of and abide by the Policies and Procedures of Elmira District Community Living and Ministry compliance standards.

This job description should not be construed to imply that these requirements are exclusive standards of the position. Employees may be required to follow any other instructions and to perform other related duties that may be required by the Association.