Personal Support Worker (PSW)

1. Main Purpose:
Responsible for the direct care of Residents within the Home through the promotion of an interdisciplinary approach which facilitates quality care to residents.

2. Essential Skills & Responsibilities:
• Must possess the ability to interact with Residents who may experience cognitive impairment, sensory
deprivation and/or who use a communication aid.
• Demonstrate effective and timely communication of Resident- related observations to registered staff (RN/RPN).
• Must practice using the techniques and skills taught in their respective care programs.
• Provide the Resident with emotional, social and cognitive support.
• Partners with the resident and their family in the provision of high quality and safe care.
• Assist with restorative care under the direction of the Registered Nurse or the Registered Practical Nurse.
• Collect data and monitors changes in Resident status under the direction of the Registered Nurse or the Registered
Practical Nurse.
• Must display a willingness for personal growth and development through in-service attendance.
• Maintain a safe and orderly environment in each resident care area while ensuring adequate supplies are
available.
• Complete duties as assigned by the supervisory Registered Nurse or Registered Practical Nurse.
• Must have the ability to work cooperatively and respectfully within a team environment.
• Identifies indicators of risk to Residents’ health and reports concerns to Registered Nursing Staff.
• Ensures that risk management procedures are followed according to Home policy and procedure.
• Ensures that safety practices, both legislated and Home or Department specific, are followed, to promote
Resident safety and well-being.
• Is aware of the Joint Health and Safety Committee and the employee’s role and responsibilities under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
• Must have a working knowledge of the English language in order to take direction, complete verbal and written documentation and perform job related activities.
• Maintains regular attendance.
• Follows the Employee Code of Conduct and all Lanark Lodge policies and procedures.
• Contribute to Resident Care Conferences.
• Possess effective interpersonal and communication skills.

3. Skill Requirement:
I. Knowledge: Minimum Grade 12 + Personal Support Worker certificate from a recognized institution.
II. Experience: No previous experience required.
III. Judgement: The job requires the application of established methods or procedures. Work may involve a choice of methods.

4. Level of Effort:
I. Concentration: Almost continuous periods of short duration. Regular interruptions to work flow/pace. Work demands imposed by many sources.
II. Physical Effort: Medium activity of a long duration or heavy activity of intermediate duration. Work is physically demanding and may require different levels of physical exertion for extended periods of time.
III. Dexterity: Requires a coordination of coarse and fine movements, where speed is a moderate consideration.

5. Responsibility:
I. Accountability: Actions could result in minor loss of time or resources and may affect the work of others. Decisions are normally routine and resources are readily available. Maintains confidential information. Performs only acts which he/she has been trained and prepared for.
II. Safety of Others: Considerable degree of care required to prevent injury or harm to others. Must adhere to policies and procedures related to WHMIS, Infection Control, Fire & Safety, and all related legislation. Is required to monitor and provide care to promote the residents safety and wellbeing.
Protects own health and health of others by adopting safe work practices, reporting unsafe conditions immediately and attending all relevant in-services regarding OH&S.
Follows all guidelines for employees and employers as legislated under the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act and corporate/departmental policies and procedures.
III. Supervision: Supervisory responsibility not normally part of the job requirement, but there may be a requirement to show others how to perform tasks or duties.
IV. Contacts: Explain, exchange data or information. Interacts with all staff, residents, families of residents, volunteers, and visitors to the facility.

6. Working Conditions:
I. Disagreeable Conditions: The work is performed in an environment with regular exposure to major disagreeable conditions or hazards. Works in all resident personal and recreational spaces within the facility. May have to work in stressful situations.