Temporary Full Time) Patient Care Attendant Direct

Partnered with and reporting to a specific assigned registered nursing staff:

- Assist with patients’ activities of daily living, including personal hygiene, adequate nutrition, exercise, social activity and personal and environmental safety by:

- assisting patient with self-care to include feeding, toileting, bathing, mouth care, clothing selection, personal laundry and to ensure optimal level of personal hygiene and grooming;
- assisting with care of patients who are in mechanical restraints, under the direct supervision of registered staff
- observing and reporting any changes in patients’ skin condition, elimination and self-care abilities;
- assisting with positioning, transferring and active and range of motion exercises to ensure proper body alignment and mobility;
- assisting clinical staff with activities to enhance patients’ participation and socialization;
- engaging in supportive communication with patients, as well as reporting and recording any changes in verbal or physical behaviours to promote patient safety and physical well being/
- responding to emergency codes;
- assisting with patient purchases and management of funds as required;
- documenting their observations, interactions, approaches and patient responses in the clinical record and flow sheets as required; and
- adhering to Ontario Shores’ policies and procedures to promote optimum personal and environmental safety.
- Function as a member of the multidisciplinary team by:

- participating at shift reports, team/unit meetings, conferences and kardexes as requested to ensure a consistent approach to patient care;
- referring inquiries from families and community agencies to clinical staff as required; and
- maintaining confidentiality in accordance with the Mental Health Act and Ontario Shores’ policies.
- Provide escort services and maintain routine observation of the patients by:

- providing escort services to patients for activities/appointments within Ontario Shores;
- accompanying registered staff in providing escort services to patients for activities/appointments outside Ontario Shores;
- accompanying patients to activities/appointments where the treatment team has determined and documented that a registered staff is not required;
- accompanying patients in personal safety restraints where the treatment team has determined and documented that a registered staff is not required;
- assisting in the implementation of security measures; and
- conducting hourly rounds and completing PCU Census and Hourly Rounds Records.
- Assist clinical staff with general operations of patient care areas by:

- answering the telephone and relieving the PCU Clerk as to ensure clerical functions are achieved through assigned shift;
- recording and delivering messages as assigned to ensure appropriate communication is maintained;
- delivering items and picking up supplies as assigned to ensure PCU requirements are maintained;
- making and carbolizing beds, sorting and storing linen and other supplies;
- assisting in the PCU kitchen with getting snacks or meal ready;
- completing PCU rounds to note malfunctioning equipment, low levels of supplies and maintenance needs; and
- ensuring equipment and supplies are returned to appropriate places to ensure a safe PCU environment.
- Responsible to recognize and report patient, staff, and environment safety issues, identify and implement preventative and corrective actions, within the scope of this role.
- In collaboration with nursing staff, obtaining and documenting of vitals when indicated - depending on the patient population, complexity and needs
- Assisting the transportation of inpatients and outpatients
- Other duties as assigned.

**Requirements**:
STAFFING & LICENSING REQUIREMENTS
- Personal Support Worker Certificate and two years experience in a health care setting, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Current certification in CPR and First Aid.

KNOWLEDGE

Job requires:

- knowledge of basic patient care skills and techniques, which may be acquired through health-related training and experience;
- knowledge of office procedures to answer and redirect phone calls and take messages and to provide relief to others;
- knowledge of relevant legislation and related hospital policies and procedures; and
- knowledge of hospital security and safety procedures to respond to emergency codes.

SKILLS

Job requires:

- ability to work effectively and respectfully with the mentally ill;
- ability to assist nursing staff in providing personal care to patients;
- ability to observe and report changes in patients’ condition and behaviour;
- ability to maintain a safe, secure environment by performing security checks of the physical environment and monitoring patient and visitor activities;
- ability to maintain productive relationships with patients and coworkers;
- ability to work effectively as a member of a multidisciplinary team;
- ability to communicate verbally with patients and to re