PERSONAL SUPPORT WORKER

POSITION SUMMARY:
The Personal Support Worker works under the close supervision of the Registered Nurse and Registered Practical Nurse providing personal care to patients/residents to meet their physical, emotional, social, cultural and spiritual needs as outlined by Complex Continuing Care/Fairview Manor policies and procedures. Personal Support Workers are active members of the Multidisciplinary Team, assisting in the planning, implementing and ongoing evaluation of individualized plans of care.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Assists patients/residents with activities of daily living (ADL), under the direction of Registered Nursing staff in order to promote their comfort and safety. These activities include:
Assisting in personal hygiene such as bathing/showering/set up, shaving, shampooing hair,
grooming including nail care (except in diabetics), mouth care (routine and special), and skin care.
Assisting the resident with appropriate clothing, meal service and feeding assistance.
Reporting meal intake & output as applicable.
Ensuring established programs for toileting, physio, activity and life enrichment programs are
maintained.
Caring for incontinent residents routinely & when required.
Interacting & conversing consistently with residents in a positive manner providing emotional and
social support.
Supporting residents maintain restorative goals
Assisting with ambulation (with or without aids), positioning, lifting and transporting
patients/residents using mechanical devices as applicable.
Observing patients/residents and reporting any clinical changes, behavioral, or unusual
occurrences, i.e. rashes, scalp problems, bruised skin or scratches to the Charge Nurse/Team
Leader.
Answering call bells and door alarms within three (3) minutes whether or not on assigned caseload.
Completing documentation of patient/resident care activities accurately on a daily flow sheet
according to policy.

2. Assists in maintaining a clean and safe environment as follows:
i. Making beds (occupied and unoccupied).
ii. Cleaning & carbolizing bedside units (FVM)
iii. Cleaning of resident equipment
iv. Collecting and bagging soiled linen for transportation to laundry.
v. Sorting and storing clean linen
vi. Emptying & carbolizing bedpans & urinals
vii. Maintenance, cleaning and storage of nursing equipment
viii. Removal of unsafe objects from use and reporting same

3. Follows the rules of the Occupational Health & Safety Act and/or specific policies of the facility for lifting and transferring procedures and in the operation of all equipment.
4. Participates in fire drills at least annually and attends the demonstration of fire extinguisher equipment and maintains full understanding of fire and evacuation procedures.
5. Attends in-services and staff meetings.
6. Adheres to policies and procedures involving quality assurance and infection control including:

i. Proper placement of soiled linen
ii. Proper storage of clean linen
iii. Proper use of hand washing techniques
iv. Proper knowledge of isolation and partial isolation techniques and carrying out
these procedures as requested

7. Assists with admissions, discharges and transfers of patients/residents
8. Assumes such housekeeping duties as may be assigned by the Charge Nurse/Team Leader (FVM)
9. Notifies the Charge Nurse/Team Leader of all incidents involving injuries, unsafe work habits, working
conditions, complaints etc. involving patients/residents, families and/or staff members.
10. Participates in relevant continuing education, Quality Assurance/Risk Management activities and
committees to ensure skills and abilities are maintained and enhanced. Completes assigned annual
education requirements
11. Assists with care of the body after death.
12. Explains and enforces the smoking policy as applicable.
13. Provides a safe environment for residents which may include apply restraints correctly as ordered by the physician and directed by the Charge Nurse/Team Leader. Also participates in programs of least restraint for specific residents.
14. Collects specimens as directed by the Charge Nurse/Team Leader.
15. All requests for information about a resident are directed to the Charge Nurse/Team Leader.
16. Performs other duties that may be assigned from time to time.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Mandatory Successful completion of a recognized Personal Support Worker (or equivalent) program, including formal certification by a recognized Community College or Educational Institution.
Previous experience as a PSW in a complex continuing care and/or long term care setting preferred.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:
In addition to the general requirements of the Hospital for reliable attendance, timeliness and personal conduct consistent with Hospital policies and procedures, the incumbent is expected to:
Promote and maintain clear lines of communication that foster successful interpersonal relationships –
Such communication shall be timely, informative, accurate, courteous, responsive and complete.
Maintain the confidentiality of all patient-related information and hospital-related information deemed to be confidential.
Maintain own equipment and report any problems to the appropriate department or agency for remedial
action.
Be fully knowledgeable of his/her responsibilities under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and
Regulations, and to work in compliance with these provisions in order to create an environment
which is conducive to the health and safety of the Hospital’s staff, patients and visitors. He/She must
work in a safe manner at all times and report any hazards or incidents as soon as possible.
Be fully knowledgeable of the Fire and Disaster Manual to understand actions expected.
All staff have a role in patient safety and it is the expectation that you will provide safe, high quality
patient care and service. This will be achieved by, but not limited to taking a problem solving approach
to your work, using sound judgement, acting appropriately to ensure safety and taking the initiative to
improve care and service.
Support and promote a culture of patient and family-centered care.