OVERVIEW
The Personal Support Worker participates in direct and indirect patient care activities in order to carry out the Interprofessional care plan. The scope of activities are directed and assigned by the RN or RPN. To support the provision of excellent patient care, the principal responsibilities of the Personal Support Worker include: performing basic patient care functions which contribute to the implementation of the Interprofessional care plan; assisting with patient nutritional needs; contributing to the patient information collection/documentation process; practicing infection control and safety measures to maintain the highest standard of patient care/safety; ensuring a clean and safe environment for patient care/treatment; contributing to patient assessment; performing transportation function; performing departmental duties, following strict adherence to confidentiality policies; performing cross-functional and other duties consistent with the job classification or clinical specialty, as required.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Ensures that the department has a sufficient stock of supplies and equipment, this includes the ordering of supplies. Maintains an accurate record of supplies
- Transportation of patients by wheelchair or stretcher to designated floors/units as required
- Responsible for the cleaning of special equipment such as dialysis machines, blood pressure cuffs, IV pumps, etc
- Responsible for the routine cleanliness and tidying of the patient care area and stocking of decentralized carts. This may include cleaning spills, disposing of full sharp containers, disposal of linen and biohazardous waste, as required
- Performs basic patient care functions, as assigned by the RN or RPN, which contribute to the implementation of the Interprofessional plan of care, this may include patient positioning.
- Assists patients with hygiene including: perineal care, as assigned by the RN/RPN
- Assists patients with toileting activities including supplying and emptying bedpans, etc.
- Assists with ambulation of patients, as assigned by the RN or RPN, transports ambulatory and non-ambulatory patients and assists with the mobilization of patients in and out of the unit
- Develops supportive and trusting relationships with patients, encouraging independence and participation in the decision-making process
- Ensures patient oxygen therapy is maintained, assisting with the set-up of basic oxygen and suction equipment as required
- Performs Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation functions, as required
- Assists with patient nutritional needs.
- Maintains awareness of patient nutritional status and dietary restrictions, e.g. NPO, Dysphasia
- Completes, corrects and/or assists patients with menu selections, as required
- Assist with feeding and hydration, as designated;
- Records the volume of food/fluid intake/output, in an accurate and timely manner
- Contributes to the patient information collection and documentation process.
- Reports patient observations and other relevant information to appropriate member of the care team
- Measures and reports patient weight and fluid intake and output
- Assist with close observations of patient needs and communicates with RN/RPN, including the including the observation and respect of patient rights, dignity and privacy
SECONDARY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Transports patients to designated floors or upon discharge to family or mode of transportation
- Ensures that supplies are adequately stocked, checked and maintained in patient rooms and equipment is in working order
- Responds to call bells, answers the telephone, takes messages and reports appropriately
- May include housekeeping duties such as cleaning spills, disposing of full sharp containers, as required
- Delivers stat blood work and specimens to laboratories, as required
EDUCATION
- A Personal Support Worker certificate or diploma from an accredited college.
- Completion of Basic Cardiac Life Support (BLS) required.
- Ability to speak, read, write and comprehend the English language.
QUALIFICATIONS
- 1-2 years of recent relevant work experience.
- Knowledge of the Occupational Health & Safety Act and other relevant legislation.
- Knowledge of the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System.
- Knowledge of Hospital and departmental policies, procedures, protocols and practices.
- Knowledge of Emergency Codes.
- Work is moderately heavy involving lifting, considerable walking, and standing, bending, pushing and pulling of equipment.
- Demonstrated knowledge of infection control.
- Demonstrates a positive attitude and the willingness to work effectively in a team.
- Demonstrated commitment to on-going learning and professional development.
- Demonstrate aptitude to foster caring and trusting relationships with patients and familiesinan effort to support patient focused care.
- Ability to maintain a consistent level of productivity and efficiency.
- Ability to perform responsibilities in a courteous manner.
- Compliance with confidentiality requirements under MGH Privacy Policy.
- Effective organizational, interpersonal and communication skills.
- Patient service orientated, with the ability to effectively work with diversity.
- Good work and attendance record is required.
- Must be prepared to work in all areas of the Medicine Health Service.
- All employees of Michael Garron Hospital (MGH), a division of Toronto East Health Network (TEHN) (formerly Toronto East General Hospital) agree to work within the legislated practices of the Occupational Health and Safety Act ofOntario.
- All employees of MGH are responsible to contribute to a transparent culture of patient and staff safety by adhering to and abiding by patient and staff policies and procedures set by MGH.
- All employees are accountable for protecting the psychological health and safety of themselves and their co-workers through adherence to MGH's policies and practices.
