Personal Support Staff

**Job Position**: Personal Support Staff

**Department**: Health Services

**Status**:Full-Time - 35 hours per week. This posting is for an active vacancy.

**Location**: Mississauga & Brampton. This role is on-site and/or community based.

**Compensation**: $23.57 per hour plus group health and RRSP benefits

Indus Community Services is an accredited, not-for-profit community benefit organization that has served local communities for over four decades. We are a registered charity, supported by our donors and by all three levels of government. Through our professional staff, we are a leader in the provision of culturally responsive services to newcomers, families, women & seniors.

Vision: To be leaders in building strong and inclusive communities.

Mission: We are a community benefit organization focused on building resilient and healthy communities by offering person-centered, anti-oppressive programs and services.

**Position Summary**:
Under the general guidance of the Manager and as part of a multi-discipline team, the Personal Support Staff (PSS) is responsible for assisting Adult Day Services (ADS) participants with the activities of daily living, facilitating their participation in programs and activities and in ensuring a client centered philosophy.

**Responsibilities and Duties: (but not limited to)**
- Provide all personal care support to assigned participants and backup support to the Personal Support and Supportive Care teams as needed/assigned.
- Accompany and support participants between program settings as needed and based on their physical abilities.
- Support participants to actively participate in programs and activities.
- Provide all support for eating, including full feeding assistance, setup of meals, according to participants’ ability.
- Assist with ambulation and transfers in the program areas including the use of lifting assistance devices and mechanical lifts where available.
- Diligently follow Care Plans including medication assistance, special care needs, toileting schedules and texture adjustments for meals/snacks.
- Work collaboratively with the PSS team to effectively manage high needs participant care, scheduling of personal care/activities for participants to ensure maximum convenience and maintaining availability/cleanliness of washrooms.
- Communicate any unusual events, or change of condition and identify any urgent concerns to the Client Care Counsellor.
- Use GPA techniques to ensure participants are related to according to their cognitive abilities.
- Provide safe bathing service to ADS participants and bathing service clients while ensuring their dignity and privacy.
- Ensure program supplies are safely stored and restocked for quick access and run/maintain participant and program related laundry needs.
- Provide all personal care in a discreet manner, in consideration of privacy and dignity.
- Ensure effective communication within the multi-disciplinary service team and with participants and caregivers.
- Train and supervise PSW student placements as assigned.
- Interact with the participants in a professional and polite manner.
- Ensure the safety and security of program participants at all times and conduct security reassurance checks.
- Participate in staff and team meetings, and professional development opportunities as required.
- Adopt safe work practices, reporting unsafe conditions immediately.
- Perform other duties as required.

**Qualifications and Skills**:

- Personal Support Worker certificate/diploma from an accredited PSW program.
- Demonstrated experience and skills in working with the frail, elderly and demonstrated understanding of responsive behaviours, with applied knowledge of GPA in order to be able to respond effectively and appropriately; GPA or other cognitive behaviour training courses preferred.
- Physically capable of performing duties which require a variety of movements and some lifting of supplies.
- Familiar with mechanical lift devices.
- Must demonstrate initiative and a positive attitude, with excellent interpersonal skills.
- Self-directed, self-motivated with a positive attitude and be able to work independently and as part of a team.
- Ability to prioritize, multi-task and adjust to shifting priorities.
- Excellent oral and written English skills are required and one or more South Asian language.
- Sensitivity to people from different socio-economic backgrounds with an equity lens.
- Ability to work flexible hours including evenings, weekends and to work from any Indus work-site.

**Job Types**: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: $19.71-$23.87 per hour

Expected hours: 35 per week

**Benefits**:

- Dental care
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- RRSP match
- Vision care

Work Location: In person