Position Summary

Reporting to the Patient Services Manager, the Behavioural Observation & Support Worker is a member of the health care team, whose role is to help patients with responsive behaviours by providing therapeutic observation to facilitate the provision of care in a supportive and safe environment. The patient observer is accountable for the day-to-day provision of quality patient and family centered care in a manner consistent with Quinte Health’s Mission, Vision, Values and Strategic Direction. Under the direction of the RN/RPN or other regulated health professional, the Behavioural Observation & Support Worker performs assigned functions as an unregulated health care provider. The Behavioural Observation & Support Worker supports the health care team by assisting patients who require therapeutic observation with activities of daily living, while also collecting patient behaviour information to help the team identify and create positive individualized strategies to support challenging behaviours.

Required

• Completion of a 2-year community college program in behaviour sciences, mental health studies, social service worker, gerontology or recognized equivalent, or
• Personal Support Worker Certificate or Developmental Servies Worker diploma, received from an Ontario College of Applied Arts and Technology Program or Accredited PSW Certificate within the past two years or, graduate of same program and have at least one year of full-time equivalent work experience within the past three years.
• Current CPR or BCLS certification
• Sound understanding of and commitment to the principles of the Behavioural Supports Ontario Project.
• Completion of GPA, NVCI, P.I.E.C.E.S., U-FIRST training an asset
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Excellent interpersonal, teamwork and communication skills
• Exercises initiative, flexibility, and good judgement with competing priorities
• Ability to produce high quality work in accordance with Hospital standards
• Ability to work well under pressure
• Ability to use good judgment in assessing difficult situations
• Capable of coping with a physically demanding workload. (Physical Demands Analysis (PDA) available to review)

Duties

• Assists in meeting patients’ psychosocial needs, i.e. engaging patients in conversation, taking patients for walks, assisting with unit programs, and providing therapeutic observation (also referred to as general observation) according to the service standard of care.
• Collects patient behaviour information through direct observation, caregiver and support interviews and other standardized assessments.
• Works collaboratively with the health care team to contribute to a behavioural care plan
• In collaboration with the RN/RPN, implements behaviour support strategies, organizes each day’s activities, setting priorities for personal support and other activities under the nurse.
• Performs or assists patients with activities of daily living including basic hygiene as assigned (i.e. bathing, toileting, dressing, oral care, personal grooming etc.). based on Quinte Health’s Service Standards of Care.
• Adheres to worker responsibilities as set out in the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Hospital policies.
• Effectively communicates to RN/RPN and other interprofessional team members in a timely, objective manner without interpretation the following, but not limited to: Patient information specific to assigned activities, observed changes in patients’ condition, patient findings and/or unusual occurrences.
• Document in the Health Record as appropriate
• Other duties as assigned.

At Quinte Health, guided by our core values of Imagine It's You, Value Everyone, We All Make a Difference, and Stronger Together, our family of four hospitals holds a central role in the mission to enhance lives and foster healthier communities. We operate as a cohesive team, uniting all our hospitals, to deliver local and regional healthcare services. In partnership with our communities, we strive to improve access to high-quality care, right in their own neighborhoods.

Our sense of fulfillment is deeply rooted in the impactful work we do, a sentiment shared by our dynamic teams of staff, dedicated physicians, and committed volunteers. They not only care passionately for our patients but also for each other, embodying our core values at every turn.

We don't just serve our communities, we actively contribute to them. Quinte Health is woven into the fabric of our local landscape, with our team members residing, raising their families, and often retiring right here in the communities they cherish. We are on a constant lookout for compassionate and dedicated individuals to join our team. Our diverse array of exciting roles encompasses positions that span multiple hospitals, as well as opportunities situated within a single hospital. Join us as we live out our values in providing exceptional healthcare close to home.

Physical Demands Analysis

• Strength
o Required Occasionally – lifting and carrying average weight 20 pounds and max 50, pushing/pulling average 10-15 pounds and max 30 pounds, patient assist approx. 100 pounds
• Mobility
o Required Constantly – standing
o Required Frequently – walking, bending/stooping
Required Occasionally – sitting, twisting/turning, bending, crouching/squatting, kneeling
o Required Rarely – balancing, climbing
Dexterity
o Required Frequently – forward shoulder movements, gripping/grasping, pinching, neck, elbow, shoulder, wrist and back normal range of motion
o Required Occasionally – fine finger movements, shoulder movements (up/down)
o Required Rarely – foot action

Equal Opportunity

Quinte Health is an equal opportunity employer committed to meeting needs under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom and the Ontario Human Rights Code. Our Recruitment process follows the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act in order to provide a fair and equitable process for all candidates. Applicants requiring accommodation through the recruitment/interview process are encouraged to contact the Human Resources Department at 613-969-7400 x2577 or humanresources@qhc.on.ca for assistance.

Quinte Health is an equal opportunity employer. We thank all interested candidates for their response, however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.