Patient Care Assistant

POSITION TITLE

Patient Care Assistant

SHIFT TYPE

Rotating days, evenings, nights, weekends, & holidays

DEPT/PROGRAM

Acute Assessment/Swing Unit

JOB CLASS

Patient Care Assistant

EMPLOYMENT TYPE

Full-Time

RATE OF PAY

$27.95-$29.37 per hour

WORK SCHEDULE

75.00 hours bi-weekly, as per schedule

EMPLOYEE GROUP

OPSEU

POSTING TYPE

Open

POSTING DATE

December 16, 2024

HYBRID ELIGIBLE

No

NUMBER

1

Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care is a 315-bed academic and teaching hospital that provides specialized mental health, addiction and geriatric care. Located on the shores of Georgian Bay, we serve some of the most complex and disadvantaged individuals in Ontario and are the sole provider of high-secure forensic mental health services in the province.

The Clinical Manager within the Acute Assessment/Swing Unit is seeking a dedicated Full-Time Patient Care Assistant. As a member of the inter-professional team, the Patient Care Assistant will participate in the provision of direct and indirect support and personal care to individuals experiencing mental illness and substance use disorders, under the direction of, and in collaboration with, registered nursing staff and assisting nursing and clinical staff with general operations of the unit.

**For information about funding incentives for nurses, our enhanced employee referral program, housing, orientation and other employment-related information please follow this link to our employment web page.**Join your team - Waypoint (waypointcentre.ca)**.**

**KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES**:

- Work under the direction and supervision of a Registered Nurse and/or Registered Practical Nurse
- Provide patient-centered, recovery-oriented, professional, safe and effective support to individuals and their families with the focus on the patient’s health care choices.
- Assist with ADL and IADL activities, development of life skills, and engagement in social and recreational activities at Waypoint and in the community.
- Support care activities as required and identified in the patient care plan
- Provide assistance to other disciplines by helping with activities such as recreational and life skills acquisition programming, on-unit special events such as bingos, movies, walk programs, special outings for patients; handing out food trays to clients at meal and snack breaks; and acting as ward runner by delivering and picking up supplies as required.
- Reports to patient’s assigned nurse (and to team leader/charge nurse as applicable) on results of direct care and tasks completed.
- Report to patient’s assigned nurse (and to the team leader/charge nurse as applicable) and document in the patient’s EHR, any potential safety and security concerns and observations of physical and behavioral incidents or statements made by patients related to patient’s wellbeing, patient’s safety and safety of others.
- Participate in inter-professional meetings and contribute to discussions, related to patient
- status/progress/care planning; exchange information, document in the clinical file, maintain confidentiality in accordance with the Mental Health Act, Personal Health Information Protection Act and applicable Waypoint policy. Comply with applicable policies for ethical conduct.
- Ensure a safe, therapeutic environment for patients, who are experiencing physical, cognitive, emotional and behavioral changes, and co-workers by continuously monitoring the working environment, including locking/unlocking doors according to unit/hospital policy;
- Assisting with hospital security codes; performing patient counts and observations including checking patients and environment for contraband; using crisis intervention techniques; participating in planned and emergency restraints in accordance with applicable policies, assisting with planned fire and other security drills, ensuring adherence to unit procedures related to razors/sharps usage; engaging with patients at prescribed frequency in collaboration with the care team and according to applicable policies.
- Provide escorts for patients within and outside the facility as assigned and provide security coverage for patients admitted to general hospitals as required.
- Participate in mandatory and self-directed education as required

**REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS**:

- Requires a Developmental Service Worker diploma OR a Personal Support Worker certificate (inclusive of any college, Private College or Adult Education Facility that includes a minimum of 600 joint classroom and practical experience hours) OR successful completion of at least 1 year of a recognized Nursing Program (BScN or Practical Nursing) OR a diploma/degree in a related healthcare field.
- Basic knowledge of computer software
- Analytical skills to identify patient abilities and needs based on their diverse backgrounds, to identify changes in activities of daily living, or demonstrations of verbal or physical aggression.
- Verbal communication skills to interact with team members