Job Description

Assistant Director of Care - Behavioral Support Transitional Unit


Individuals are invited to apply for a full-time position to work within our 192-person long-term care home located in Toronto, Ontario. Specifically, this position will be within our 32-person transitional behavioural support unit at Extendicare Rouge Valley, located in Scarborough, Ontario.

The Behavioral Support Transitional Unit (BSTU) is an integral part of the continuum of care to enhance the quality of life for people living with responsive behaviors and to provide support to families so that the person may successfully transition to their next destination in the community and/or a long-term care home.

Reporting to the Director of Care, the successful candidate will lead an interprofessional team to achieve the key performance targets related to clinical outcomes, patient/family experience, staff experience and operational effectiveness.

More specifically, the Assistant Director of Care-Behavioral Support Transitional Unit is accountable for overseeing patient care, access and flow through the program, including implementing standardized operational and care processes that drive excellence in resident safety and quality outcomes.

Key Qualifications, Skills and Abilities:

Current membership and in good standing with The College of Nurses of Ontario At least 2 years of experience in a leadership position within Long-Term Care is preferred Extensive knowledge and skills working with individuals with dementia, delirium, mental health or other neurological conditions and those who experience an acute behavioral change in a variety of settings including within long-term care, acute care, the community at large Experience in applying and working in a patient care environment where non-pharmacological & therapeutic supportive measures are part of the model of care for people with responsive behaviors Good understanding of the impacts of pharmacological medications used to support those living with responsive behaviors is an asset. Trained in P.I.E.C.E.S., Gentle Persuasive Approach, DementiAbility, etc., is preferred Strong critical thinking, decision making, problem solving and conflict resolution skills Excellent communication and facilitation skills - both oral and written Demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with all members of the interprofessional care team, families and external stakeholders Ability to coach, mentor and provide feedback while fostering a positive work culture Demonstrated commitment to person-centered care to function effectively in a fast-paced environment Ability to manage workload with many competing priorities Commitment to evidence-based practice and quality improvement Experience in collecting and evaluating KPIs
Accountabilities and Responsibilities:

Understands and commits to the BSU Model of Care and the principles of Behavioral Supports Ontario (BSO) Liaise with community partners such as Home and Community Support Services, local hospitals, and community agencies to strengthen partnerships that are critical to the BSU's success Participation in Provincial BSTU Collaborative (currently cochair) To complete Program Evaluations as required Work collaboratively with the interdisciplinary BSU team (including nursing, PSW, Activity Aides, Social Worker etc.,) to coordinate, organize and prioritize day-to-day patient care activities and resource utilization for the unit Management of operational processes with a focus on issues related to access and flow; patient/family/staff experience and quality & risk and safety and ensuring compliance with Ministry of Long-Term Care and Ministry of Labor standards Complete daily, weekly, and monthly audits as required (ie. Manager Weekly Audit, Care Plan Audits, etc.) As a member of the management team, manages and supervises all Nursing staff in relation to the Behavioural Support Unit. This includes, direct reports and all Nursing staff pertaining to recruiting and hiring decisions, job postings and selection, supervision performance management, performance evaluations, conducting workplace investigations and providing coaching, as well as disciplinary action when needed. Attend and fully participate in management team meetings and decisions pertaining to BSTU staff and maintain confidentiality respecting staff and labour relations issues Provide leadership to the interprofessional team to ensure integrated and comprehensive care planning occurs in order to achieve milestones on the clinical pathway, including leading team meetings, rounds, and huddles Provide oversight of the BSTU clinical pathway including review of:

o Resident applications for admission

o Collaboration with external partners such as Ontario Health at Home and partnering hospitals.

o Facilitate smooth admission process

Monitor and evaluate residents' progress against the plan of care, and suggest changes based on fluctuating needs and priorities Act as the primary liaison for physicians, nurse practitioners, the interprofessional team, families and community partners Identify and communicate risks, develop and implement initiatives with the team and leadership to optimize resident and staff safety Assist in the development of effective interpersonal relationships within the team through coaching, mentoring, and facilitating difficult conversations Support resident flow (including admissions, discharges, and transfers) of residents through a transparent, equitable and standardized process in collaboration with the interprofessional team Promote and implement clinical practice standards and evidence-based best practice to improve outcomes Work in collaboration with the Chief Medical Office and the Operational Quality team to collect and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) including preparation and presentation of results internally and externally Collect and submit monthly and quarterly performance measures, metrics and KPIs to the required stakeholders, such as Ontario Health. Recognize the contributions that team members, families and community partners make and celebrate accomplishments

Time Type:

Full time
When you choose to build your career with Extendicare, you're joining a team dedicated to making a difference. By focusing our energy on enriching the lives of our residents every day, we transform both the quality of their lives and the quality of our own work experiences.


If you have a passion for caring, turn it into a rewarding career with Extendicare!


Extendicare and affiliated organizations including our partner homes in Extendicare Assist, accommodate the needs of job applicants throughout its recruitment and selection processes upon request.