Home Support Worker

Home Support Workers (HSW) provide holistic, client-centered care, taking into consideration the client’s physical, emotional, spiritual, and psychological needs while adhering to Health PEI policies, procedures, and guidelines. HSWs provide the care and services a client needs to remain independent and to live in their own home as long as possible while requiring personal assistance with both instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) as well as activities of daily living (ADL), and respite services. All services are provided within the home including, but not limited to mobility supports; nutrition supports; lifts and transfers; bathing and dressing; cueing (providing prompts to assist with the completion of tasks); grooming and toileting. HSW’s must work with autonomy and be able to respond and adapt to real time changes in the home. While providing care and assistance independently in the home, HSWs observe any changes that may negatively affect the client’s health and safety, act immediately as required, and report observations and findings to the Team Leader. Frequently, the HSW is responsible for being the liaison between the client and the home care team and responsible to identify changes that require intervention.

**Duties**:

- Observe and deliver within the Home Support Worker Scope of Employment, client-centered, professional care in a non-judgmental manner.
- Collaborate with Home Care Team members, clients, and family/friend-caregivers in the development and delivery of the client care plans. Integrate knowledge into practice. Monitor and report changes to the Team Leader.
- Performs routine care and treatments using evidence-based principles and techniques.
- Perform tasks in accordance with their Home Care scope of employment, client care plans, Home Support Guidelines, direction of their Team Leader and their own level of competency.
- Home Support Workers assist clients and family/friend-caregivers to maintain and/or restore health by using strategies to address their health needs and supports for daily living” across the life span and illness continuum. - Understand and/or educate clients, family/friend-caregivers, and colleagues in the safe and appropriate use and maintenance of various types of equipment, technology and provision of care to maintain health and assist clients and family/friend-caregivers to integrate actions into their everyday life/routine.
- Provide care, and emotional, spiritual, and physical support to clients with life-limiting illnesses to alleviate suffering, improve quality of life, and assist clients and their family/friend-caregivers when a client chooses to receive end of life care at home.
- May provide respite over extended periods of time to allow family/friend-caregivers relief which often includes the primary caregiver leaving the home.
- Practice to their full scope of employment and ensure that all clinical skills and knowledge are up to date.
- Provide recommendations based on knowledge and participate collaboratively in the analysis, development, implementation and evaluation of practice and policy that guide delivery of care.
- Recognize and report unsafe or unethical circumstances.
- Support client and family/friend-caregivers use exceptional communication skills and education techniques.
- Respect the individual client and family/friend-caregiver and try to understand their concerns through the development of a therapeutic relationship.
- Strive to find out what is meaningful to the client and ensures their beliefs and values are respected.

**Minimum Qualifications**:

- Successful completion of a Resident Care Worker Program, Licensed Nursing Program or equivalent as recognized by the employer.
- Demonstrated ability and commitment to work effectively in an interdisciplinary team environment.
- Demonstrated ability to be flexible and adaptable and to work independently with little supervision.
- Performing client assessments - i.e. TLR assessments, and falls risk screen in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team.
- Capable of sustained physical activity and physical ability to complete personal care.
- Excellent communication, organizational and decision-making skills in dealing with clients and families.
- Ability to work effectively with individuals and families in the home setting.
- Time Management skills.
- Stress Management skills.
- Conflict Resolution skills.
- Current CPR, TLR, WHMIS and hand hygiene certificate.
- Knowledge in provision of personal care and support to clients living at home.
- Knowledge of proper Home Care Techniques including feeding and activities of daily living.
- Knowledge of community resources relevant to home care.
- Learning Essentials and Approaches to Palliative for Personal Support Workers (LEAP PSW) is preferred.
- Canadian Remote Access for Dementia Learning Experiences (CRADLE) is preferred.
- Recent provincial home care experience (within one year) is preferred.

**Other Qualifications**:

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