Behaviour Support Specialist

Job Description

Bayshore HealthCare is one of the Canada’s leading providers of home and community health care services and is a privately owned company. Bayshore HealthCare is proud to showcase its achievement as a Platinum member of Canada’s Best Managed Companies Program every year since 2006. In 2015, Bayshore achieved the designation for Best Practice Spotlight Organization from the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario. Bayshore Healthcare is also recognized as Canada’s Best Employers in Forbes 2023 list.

Person-and family-centered care (PFCC) is an approach to care that recognizes the importance of family in a patient’s life and the importance of their active involvement in planning and making decisions on health care, services and treatment, and health system reform. This approach to care provides respectful, compassionate, culturally safe, and responsive care that meets the needs, values, beliefs, and preferences of the patient, their family, and others identified as significant to their life from diverse backgrounds and settings.

JOB SUMMARY
Bayshore Healthcare is committed to a patient and family-centered approach, where care is guided by compassion, respect, and collaboration. In the Transitional Care Unit, the Behaviour Support Specialist plays a vital role in supporting individuals with dementia and mental health challenges by delivering personalized interventions that reflect each patient’s unique needs and preferences. Working closely with families and the interdisciplinary team, The Behavioral Support Specialist helps create a safe and supportive environment that promotes dignity, comfort, and continuity of care across transitions.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Travel to the various TCUs to provide support to patients through their healthcare journey. Support the patient’s healthcare journey through their stay in the TCU
• Communicate with patients' care team, caregivers, and families to implement behavioural support plans
• Document in the electronic health record, monitor and record changes, adjust care plans as appropriate
• Conduct ongoing evaluations of patients’ strategies that have been suggested.
• Develop and implement individualized behavioural support plans in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team
• Model and coach staff on effective strategies for managing responsive behaviours
• Attend team huddles, care conferences and team meetings as required
• Report significant clinical findings to the Clinical Manager/Charge Nurse or delegate.
• Facilitate communication and collaboration with patients’ families to ensure care plans reflect their values and preferences
• Support patients during transitions between care settings to ensure continuity and stability
• Participate in team and/or organization-wide committees as requested
• Participate in the evaluation of risks associated with maladaptive behaviours upon patient admission and contribute to plans to mitigate the identified risks
• Adhere to Bayshore policies, procedures, and professional standards.
• Participate in quality activities and continuous improvement initiatives in keeping with the company's Quality Management System
• Participates in proactive Health& Safety activities while performing all duties. Is responsible to notify immediate Supervisor of any Health& Safety risks or concerns
• Positive work and attendance performance essential
• Maintains confidentiality of client and corporate information and discusses same only with appropriate Bayshore personnel
• Complete other tasks as requested

Job Qualification

Education

• Degree or diploma in a related field (. Nursing, Social Work, Psychology, Gerontology, Behavioural Science or equivalent)
• Valid CPR and First Aid certification
• Valid drivers license and access to a car

Experience

• Minimum 2 years assisting with behaviour assessments and collaborating on behaviour interventions
• Experience working with seniors, particularly those with dementia and/or mental health conditions.
• Knowledge of behavioural support strategies and responsive behaviour interventions
• Strong assessment, observation, and documentation skills
• Ability to work collaboratively within a interprofessional team
• Certification in GPA (Gentle Persuasive Approaches) or willingness to obtain
• Experience in transitional or long-term care settings
• Training in . or U-First!
• Familiarity with trauma-informed care practices
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and standards (. Public Hospitals Act)

Other Skills and Abilities

• Excellent clinical-reasoning, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
• Proficiency in electronic health record systems
• Excellent interpersonal and conflict management skills
• Creativity, flexibility, positive attitude
• Ability to work well under pressure
• Comfort with addressing issues such as verbal aggression, physical and environmental aggression, elopement, socially and sexually inappropriate behaviours.

• Technological proficiency: use of MS Office (including Word, Excel and PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams

Bayshore is committed to a high quality and safe environment for both our staff and clients/patients. Dependent upon Provincial government regulations, and the position being applied for, new hires may be required to provide proof of vaccination against illnesses such as COVID-19, Hepatitis, Seasonal Flu etc. Please speak with the recruiter for Provincial and/or position specific requirements. Medical exemptions or any based upon Human Rights Code criteria will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

“At Bayshore Healthcare, our commitment to Equity, Diversity & Inclusion is our strength. This is how we bring our vision of being the difference in the lives of those we care for, work with and in our communities. We have a great sense of pride in creating a culture of belonging, where individual differences are embraced and celebrated, through programs, resources and policies that support each individuals purpose, potential and wellbeing.”

At Bayshore Healthcare Ltd., and its subsidiaries, we are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace and operate in full compliance with all Provincial and Territorial legislation pertaining to Human Rights Codes and Accessibility requirements. To ensure continued compliance throughout the recruitment and selection process, we encourage candidates to disclose any accommodation needs they may have.