Home Support Worker (HSW)

Home Support Worker (HSW)

Primary Focus

• The Home Support Worker (HSW) shall provide personal care, where appropriate, perform light housekeeping duties, household management to clients as assigned.
• In keeping with the Occupational Health & Safety Act, the Home Support Worker will take every reasonable precaution to ensure that the workplace is safe. A sound knowledge of the principles and practices of good body mechanics as well as the knowledge of how to safely handle, store and dispose of hazardous substances and handle potential hazards is required in order to provide safe care in a variety of settings.

Responsibilities:

Duties should be performed keeping in mind that the Client must always be encouraged to function at their optimal level.

1. Assists Client with their personal care such as bathing, grooming, dressing, mouth care, skin care.
2. Assists Client with ambulation as needed which may include climbing of stairs, getting in and out of bed and assisting with transferring where indicated. Transfers may be accomplished by use of transfer belts, bath board, bath bench or mechanical lifts.
3. Assists Client with elimination by assisting with toileting needs either through reminders or through help to walk to the bathroom, assistance with commode, urinal or bedpan.
4. Provides bedside care including bed baths, skin and mouth care.
5. Prepares nourishing meals and special diets as required and assists with eating as required.
6. Performs meal planning and grocery shopping.
7. Assists Client with medication by reminding of appropriate time, removing the cap or seal if necessary, checking the label for the Client and allowing the Client to pour their
8. Performs light housekeeping duties, exclusive of heavy and seasonal cleaning but including dusting, vacuuming, sponge mopping floor, making and changing bed, cleaning stove, defrosting fridge, washing dishes, cleaning the bathroom, cleaning the cupboards, tidying and cleaning the rooms most by used by Client/family. Operates various household appliances.
9. Does light laundry, ironing and essential mending of clothing.
10. Provides assistance to Client as required for respite care and escort services to Provides childcare in accordance with the Client’s needs.
11. Communicates pertinent information to the Client Services Supervisor and completes required documentation.
12. Observes and report potential hazards in the Client’s environment and follows safe work practices and procedures.
13. Performs duties, after completion of training by a registered staff member, that are transferable under the Regulated Health Professions Act.

Education/Experience Requirements

1. Home Support Worker Certificate Level 2 or Level 3, with a certificate from a Community College or Private Vocational School.
2. Previous experience working in the community is preferred.

Key Contacts/Relationships

• External
  • Accountable to the Supervisor.
  • Works effectively, efficiently and in complete cooperation with clients, field and administrative staff.

Working Environment

• Client home environment
• Institutions (long term care facilities, hospitals)

Physical and Mental Effort

• Travel
• Bending, standing or sitting for long periods

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