Patient Care Aide, Tertiary Mental Health (TMH)

Job Description

Summary

Within the context of a patient, resident, client and family centred model of care and, in accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values, and strategic directions of Providence Health Care, promotes a safe, respectful, and civil working environment for patients, residents, families, visitors and staff.

Reporting to a Patient Care Manager / Unit Supervisor and receiving work direction from a Registered Nurse (RN) or Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN) or designate, the Patient Care Aide, Tertiary Mental Health (TMH) works with the interdisciplinary care team within the context of a person and family centred recovery model. Carries out established nursing / personal care programs and social / leisure activities for patients living with complex mental health, neurological and neurocognitive disorders in a TMH unit / program. Performs and / or assists the patients with personal care duties related to hygiene and grooming, eating, mobilization and other activities of daily living. Carries out individualized and group social / leisure activities and accompanies the patients on outings and to appointments. Performs assigned nursing procedures with specific direction such as taking weights, collecting urine and stool specimens. Observes the health status and emotional expressions / behaviours of the patients and reports observations in accordance with standard procedures; assists in ensuring a safe environment; and reports changes and unusual observations to nurse or supervisor. May be required to perform clerical, stocking, laundry and other related duties as required.

Qualifications / Skills and Education

Education, Training and Experience

Grade 10, graduation from a recognized Resident Care Attendant Program and successful completion of an Acute Care Skills Program or three (3) months recent, related experience in an acute care and / or mental health acute care environment, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to deal with others effectively.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.
• Ability to organize work.
• Ability to operate related equipment.

Duties and Responsibilities

3.1 Provides and / or assists the patients with personal care, hygiene and comfort such as bathing, dressing, skin and nail care, mouth care, perineal care, and hair care according to the established care plan.

3.2 Provides a safe and respectful environment for the patients by following safety instructions and PHC policies and procedures when carrying out designated components of the established care plan that include activities such as toileting, continence care, lifting and transferring, bathing, positioning and ambulating and independent use of wheelchairs.

3.3 Carries out individual or group leisure activities such as arts and crafts, woodworking, gardening, sports, games, socio-cultural events and social outings as directed, both inside and outside the building, within approved program, communicating the activity to the patients, their families and staff, accompanying the patients on outings and appointments, and supporting patients during the activity.

3.4 Performs tasks as assigned by nursing such as taking weights, changing colostomy bags, applying medicated creams and non-sterile dressings, and collecting urine and stool specimens.

3.5 Contributes to the overall evaluation of the patients and supports the continuity of care by methods such as observing health status and emotional expressions and behaviours, noting their personal interests and patients’ stated preferences in accordance with standard procedures, recognizing and responding to anticipated / unanticipated responses to care, and reporting changes and observations, concerns and / or related problems to delegated nursing staff / interdisciplinary team members in a timely way. Recognizes potential emergency situations and intervenes as required.

3.6 Establishes a positive and courteous relationship with the patients and their families by providing comfort and striving to maintain their involvement in decision-making by providing information, respecting personal choices, and providing opportunities to talk about their concerns.

3.7 Assists the patients with meals and nourishments by performing duties such as serving meal, checking meals to ensure the maintenance of dietary restrictions, setting up and collecting meal trays and feeding designated patients as established on the care plan and in accordance with PHC policies and procedures.

3.8 Functions as a role model for the patients and families to facilitate appropriate social responses. Uses violence prevention techniques and de-escalation strategies to safely respond to patients who may express themselves in an aggressive manner. Utilizes code white, restraint use and seclusion procedures as needed in accordance with established policies, procedures and standards.

3.9 Maintains a safe work environment by performing duties such as ensuring call bell is within reach of the patient, checking operation of equipment to ensure cleaning up spills and tiding / removing clutter from rooms and common areas, wiping down furnishings and refrigerators in accordance with established procedures. Ensures guests and the patients adhere to safety and security procedures. Reports problems to designated nursing staff.

3.10 Handles, stores and disposes of workplace hazardous materials in accordance with established procedures.

3.11 Operates and / or cleans equipment related to the care of the patients such as bathtubs, scales, mechanical lifts, bedpans, special mattresses and personal care items such as glasses, hearing aids and dentures.

3.12 Supports continuity of care of the patients by reporting problems / concerns to designated nursing staff and / or other interdisciplinary team members. Participates in in-services, team meetings and program activities as required.

3.13 Transports patients utilizing mechanical aides such as wheelchairs and / or stretchers. Cleans and stores equipment such as wheelchairs and stretchers and reports any mechanical failure.

3.14 Provides close, constant care or any other level of observation of a person, as determined and assigned by the nursing staff. Alerts the designated nursing staff to any condition changes in a timely way.

3.15 Checks and restocks supplies such as personal care supplies, nursing and housekeeping / laundry supplies, and assists in taking inventory.

3.16 Performing laundry related duties such as gathering items for washing, loading and unloading and operating washers and dryers, changing bed linen, and folding and putting away items. Assists with packing and unpacking personal belongings and putting away items as required.

3.17 Performs related clerical duties such as answering the telephone, taking and relaying messages, and assisting in maintaining standardized records.

3.18 Performs other related duties as assigned.

Vaccination Flag

As per the current Public Health Orders (Long Term Care / Seniors Assisted Living Provincial Health Order and the Health Sector Order), as of October 26, 2021, all employees working for Providence Health Care must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Proof of vaccination status will be required.