Behavioural Support Aide in Ltc

**BEHAVIOURAL SUPPORT AIDE -**PERMANENT FULL TIME EVENINGS**

**1pm-9pm with alternating weekends**

**PURPOSE OF POSITION**:
To provide wholistic behavioural health care and consultation that is centered on the person and their care partners in accordance with respective clinical college guidelines and organizational standards within the long-term care home; as well as actively participate in an inter-agency blended team integrated model of behavioural health care with the Behavioural Support Services Mobile Support Team.

**JOB DESCRIPTION**:
The BSO Aide provides direct clinical support to older adults presenting with, or at risk for, responsive behaviours/personal expressions associated with dementia, complex mental health, substance use and/or other neurological conditions residing in the long-term care home. This BSO Aide, alongside other team members (internal and/or external), provides specialized wholistic best practice assessment and recommended behavioural intervention strategies to support residents in the long-term care home. Support provided may include the development of a comprehensive P.I.E.C.E.S. assessment; direct observation of the person and the provision of care; implementation and direct clinical coaching on non-pharmacological approaches; and/or supporting the individual leading up to, during and following a care transition.

**DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**:
Within the respective scope of practice, conducts a thorough assessment and recommends, implements and evaluates therapeutic interventions and approaches with respect to the expressed responsive behaviours/personal expressions. This includes:

- Delivering person-centred care, supported by evidence-informed clinical best practices, which recognize both the uniqueness of each person (i.e., personhood) and an awareness of one’s own contribution to that relationship, including personal attitudes, values and actions.
- Recognizing that behaviours have meaning and therefore, identifying contributing factors as an essential part of the assessment and care planning process.
- Assessing the meaning, contributing factors and associated risks of behaviours using an objective, systematic and wholistic process that takes the individual’s personhood into account in addition to the physical, intellectual, emotional and functional capabilities of the person; as well as the environmental and social aspects of their surroundings.
- Identifying non-pharmacological strategies that are abilities focused and person-centred to prevent and respond to expressed responsive behaviours/personal expressions, including recommendations to mitigate associated risks.
- Collaborating with the person, their family and interprofessional team members to create, share, implement and model an individualized behavioural care plan. Ensuring that information and care plans are actively updated and shared with individuals and families using appropriate and accessible methods.
- Demonstrating excellent clinical reasoning and critical thinking skills that target prevention of the expressed responsive behaviours by creatively adjusting the social and physical environment; focusing on the person’s abilities and knowing the individual, their life story and aspirations.
- Utilizing verbal and written communication strategies that demonstrate compassion, validate emotions, support dignity, and promote understanding about the individual as appropriate; including the production of timely and accurate progress reports.
- Analyzing and evaluating the ongoing effectiveness of the implemented Plan of Care including thorough communication of next steps, suggestions for adherence, required adaptations and on-going follow-up.
- Exhibiting effectiveness as an inter-professional team member through collaboration and cooperation in interacting with the person, their families and other care partners while ensuring care is continuous and reliable.
- Participating in monthly interagency behavioural rounds/huddles with internal Behavioural Support Resource Team members and LOFT BSS Mobile Support Team,Psychogeriatric Resource Consultant and Geriatric Mental Health Outreach Team members.
- Participating in regular data collection as per the organization and provincial BSO regional reporting requirements.
- Other duties as assigned.

**QUALIFICATIONS**:

- RPN, PSW, or Recreation Aide
- Experience in assessing and treating older adults with dementia, complex mental health, substance use and/or other neurological conditions.
- Demonstrated knowledge of dementia, complex mental health, substance use disorders and neurological conditions and their impact on the person, their family members and other care partners (e.g., health care professionals, front-line staff). This includes a fundamental understanding of:

- The importance of perspectives of lived experience from the person and their family members;- Types of conditions and causes;
- Cognitive, neurological and behavioural symptoms;
- Assessme