Senior Living Companion

I Report To:Community Care Director

Summary Related to My Work:

I am ultimately responsible to the tenants. I work to defeat bureaucracy and ensure that no decision is made without asking the vital question… "What do the people living here say?" As a member of the Bergen Gardens Community Care team, the support worker ensures seamless services are delivered to the tenants required by their self-family managed care plan or private health care being provided in Senior Living. The Tenant Support Worker models person-directed care and takes an active role in building neighbourhoods and showing the greater community around us that life for the tenants in our building is a life worth living.

Required Qualifications:

1. I have a high school diploma and have at least three years of experience in a hospitality or tenant services setting. Senior care, home care or long-term care experience is preferred.

2. I have a practical working knowledge of computers and working with technology.

3. I communicate with well-developed written and verbal communication skills. I can fluently read, write, and speak English. My ability to speak a second language is considered an asset.

4. I demonstrate empathy, concern, and interest in providing quality care and service to our tenants.

5. I interrelate well with others and establish positive relationships with tenants, their families, other staff members, volunteers, and the public.

6. I can adapt quickly in a progressive change-oriented environment.

7. I work independently and can evaluate my own progress and take responsibility to grow in my position.

8. I am interested in learning more about person-directed care and how it applies to work within our community of seniors.

9. I can manage the associated physical, emotional, and psychological demands of the work involved.

My Responsibilities in a Person-Directed Care Environment

1. I review and apply the principles of person-directed care to my work everyday.

2. I participate in creating an interesting human habitat/neighbourhood for the tenants.

3. I recognize the plagues of loneliness, helplessness and boredom in the tenants and work to alleviate them whenever possible.

4. I plan for and provide options that take the tenant's opinions and choices into account.

5. I look for ways for my tenants to have continuing contact with animals, children, plants, and myself.

6. I attend neighbourhood meetings to hear what the tenants have to say and follow through to address concerns brought to my attention.

7. I work to build others up with constructive criticism so that they can grow.

My Responsibilities Related to Safety and Managing Risk

1. I must perform all work in a safe, budget conscious and efficient manner. I will maintain the building and work area in a clean, orderly, and safe condition keeping waste to a minimum.

2. I am required to follow manufacturer's instructions and safe work procedures in the operation and use of all equipment and/or chemicals.

3. I will maintain a satisfactory level of health and physical fitness so that injury free and regular attendance at work can be maintained.

4. I perform all food related activities in accordance with prescribed sanitation and food handling techniques.

5. I am required to review, understand, and practice all disaster codes, prevention and related safety measures a minimum of monthly.

6. I review, understand, and practice infection control measures including "routine precautions".

7. I adhere to all related policies, the Mission Vision and Values, PHIA, PPICA, our Ethics Framework and the Tenant Bill of Rights for the building.

8. I report all tenant and staff safety concerns to the Community Care Director immediately.

9. I will attend relevant education sessions and conferences as required to ensure that my skills and knowledge are developed and upgraded so that I can work safely.

10. I must provide teaching, mentoring and feedback to all new and visiting care partners.

11. I accurately document and submit all occurrences that have taken place.

Hazards Related to my Work (See Form 2 for Assessment and Control Measures) Customize by position

Chemical Hazards including:

• exposure to compressed gases including fire extinguishers and oxygen.

• exposure to chemicals

Biological Hazards including:

• exposure to communicable diseases

• exposure to infectious substances

• exposure to sharps

Physical Hazards including:

• operating a vehicle

• exposure to tenants with unpredictable tenant behaviour

• working with sharp equipment

• working with hot surfaces

Working Alone Hazards including:

• Going shopping for tenants

• Working in a tenant suite

Ergonomic Hazards including:

• Repeated bending of torso, back and neck

• Working stooped or hunched forward.

• lifting and lowering below knees, above shoulders or away from the body

• computer keyboarding and mousing

• fine motor tasks

• working with wet hands

• work in areas of high or low light/glare

• performing visually intensive tasks

• performing various repetitive tasks

Related to my Responsibilities (Actual Day to Day)

1. I provide timely and successful completion of requests for service including:

2. Escorting Tenants to meals in the Heartwood Dining Room and getting them home again

3. Meal delivery to the suites and dishes collection

4. Simple breakfast preparation in senior living suites as per care plans

5. Transportation of tenants to service appointments within the building and getting them home again

6. Household tasks to support for those who are visually/physically impaired including safety checks, garbage removal, opening and closing blinds, escort to laundry room and back home

7. Encouraging lonely tenants to participate in available activities and providing companionship until they make friends.

8. I document the services provided on the homecare care plan as completed daily for each tenant.

9. Other duties as assigned.

I have read and understand my responsibilities as outlined in this document.

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Signature Date