Title: Personal Support Worker/UCP
Date of Issue: 2025
Department: Nursing
Reports to: Director of Care or Assistant Director of Care
Works with: all staff
Subordinates: none
Position Summary: Responsible to assist each resident with the activities of daily living, and tocope with and manage inappropriate behaviors of daily living. For night PSW, domestic cleaning duties are also a part of the job.
Performance: Must understand and perform all PSW and related procedures.
Confidentiality: Maintaining the confidentiality of information relating to residents, families, colleagues, the facility's operations, financial arrangements and results. Anyinformation privy to the Nursing Department can only be discussed with nursing staff or management. Non- compliance with this, will result intermination pursuant to the Employment Standards Act.
Drivers License: not applicable
Bonding: Required
Hours of Work: as assigned by the posted shift schedule
Dress Code: Clean clothing approved by the Administrator. No jeans. Pair of closed-toe, non-slip shoes (no heels).
Minimal jewelry. Long hair tied back. Clean fingernails which are also a safe length for giving care to residents.
Nametag to be worn at all times (nametag will be supplied). Scrubs are acceptable.
Changes: This job description is subject to change by management without notice.
Breaks: 30 minute lunch/dinner (for shifts longer than 4 hours), any items still available from resident lunch/dinner menu or whatever the cooks put out. Food in the cooler is off limits. Lunch/dinner is not a paid break. Two 10-
minute paid breaks are allowed. Clocking in and out at the time clock is required for the beginning and end of each of the break periods.
Experience:
One year in a healthcare setting preferred
Education:
1. Minimum Grade 12 education.
2. Personal Support Worker certificate from an approved community college; Home Support Worker
3. The ability to read, write and comfortably communicate in English.
Personal Characteristics:
1. Empathy and understanding of the needs of seniors, their families and the professionals engaged in their care.
2. Good health; No allergies to cleaning chemicals.
4. Be able to use cleaning chemicals.
5. Able to perform physical work.
6. Must have a pleasant, cooperative and supportive attitude.
7. Willingness and ability to learn.
Duties:
Resident Care:
• Assist with residents’ personal hygiene, which may include:
o Bathing
o Dressing
o Fingernail care (clean, cut only; toenail care to be done only be specialized foot care person)
o Perineal care
o Mouth care, Skin care and Hair care
• Assist residents with transfers and going to the toilet.
• Assist when residents are ill and must remain in their room.
• Assist with incontinence pads when necessary.
• Deliver meal trays to ill residents’ rooms as required and remove meal tray within two hours of service.
• Answer emergency calls and provide assistance when needed.
• Follow daily, weekly, and monthly routines for specific duties.
• Report and document any changes in residents’ physical or mental ability; promotes and supervises activation
and motivation programs for the residents
• Identify residents’ increased needs for personal care. Bring this information to the attention of the nurse
manager and/or the administrator. The needs should be incorporated into the daily care plan.
• Night PSW's are responsible for housekeeping duties throughout the shift, including but not limited to; dusting
of common areas, sweeping & mopping the nursing station, and set up in the dining room.
Administration:
1. Guides nursing personnel and other staff as required.
2. Advises the DOC / ADOC of staffing requirements.
3. Promotes and maintains harmonious relationships amongst nursing personnel, residents, families, professional
community and the public.
4. Conducts regular review of residents' charts.
5. Evaluates in conjunction with the DOC / ADOC staff performance to ensure appropriate care and efficiency.
6. Attends and participates in staff meetings and trainings.
Medications and Supplies:
1. Is responsible for the maintenance of accurate medical records.
2. Is responsible for the safekeeping and accounting of narcotics and all drugs.
3. Ensures the availability of nursing and resident care supplies and equipment.
4. Med pass procedure followed according to UCP training.
Resident and Staff Safety:
1. Complies with all regulations under applicable legislation such as Health Disciplines Act, Workers'
Compensation Act, Fire Code, Retirement Home Regulatory Authority (RHRA), Human Rights Legislation,
Health and Safety Act etc.
2. Promotes staff and resident safety by regularly monitoring and reviewing care levels, incidents, environmental
hazards and equipment required.
3. Participates in organizing fire drills and safety measures for all nursing personnel.
4. Participates in various committees as requested by the Administrator, e.g. Safety, Labour Management, etc.
5. To maintain the building in a clean fashion by following the posted cleaning schedule.
6. Preparing the common areas for the next day’s use, by cleaning, setting up and restocking.
7. Doing the assigned rounds and bed checks at the given times.