Job Description

The Behaviour Success Agent (BSA) is an integral member of the Emergency Department (ED) team, working in close collaborate with the Geriatric Emergency Management (GEM) program. With specialized expertise in dementia care and behavioural management, the BSA provides immediate, hands-on support to older adults presenting with dementia, delirium, or responsive behaviours.
The role focuses on stabilizing complex seniors, reducing safety risks, supporting frontline staff, and ensuing continuity of care as patients transition from the ED to acute medical units. Ultimately, the BSA contributes to improved patient flow, reduced length of stay, and safe, coordinated discharge planning.
The hourly wage will be determined in alignment with the pay scale of the applicable health care profession of the successful candidate.
Key Responsibilities
Older adults living with dementia frequently arrive in the ED with behavioural disturbances driven by decline, unmet needs, caregiver burnout, or environmental stressors. These behaviours can increase safety risks, delay discharge, and lead to Alternative Level of Care (ALC) designation.
The BSA fills a critical service gap by:

• Delivering real-time behavioural intervention in the ED
• Supporting transitions to inpatient medical units
• Co-managing complex behavioural presentations alongside the GEM Nurse
• Leading or contributing to discharge planning or behaviourally complex seniors
• Helping reduce repeat ED visits and overall length of stay

A. Emergency Department (Primary Setting)

• Conduct rapid behavioural and dementia-specific assessments.
• Identify triggers, unmet needs, and environmental contributors to behavioural escalation.
• Implement immediate, evidence-based, non-pharmacological interventions.
• Support ED staff with de-escalation techniques, safety planning, and person-centered dementia care.
• Collaborate with the GEM Nurse to triage high-risk geriatric presentations.
• Assist in differentiating delirium, dementia progression, and psychiatric contributors.
• Initiate early behavioural care plans to guide downstream care on inpatient units.

B. Acute Medical Units (Follow-Up & Support)

• Provide bedside support for patients exhibiting complex or escalating behaviours.
• Reinforce behavioural care plans initiated in the ED.
• Coach staff on strategies to minimize behaviours (orientation, stimulation control, meaningful engagement, pain identification, etc.)
• Support delirium-prevention strategies and dementia-friendly environmental approaches.
• Collaborate with the GEM Nurse, attending physicians, and interprofessional teams to resolve behavioural concerns.
• Document assessments, interventions, and care plans to ensure continuity across shifts.

C. Discharge Planning & Transitions

• Participate in behaviour-informed discharge planning with case management, GEM, and inpatient teams.
• Assess caregiver capacity, home environment risks, and ongoing behavioural needs.
• Facilitate referrals to SGS outpatient services, BSO, the Alzheimer Society, Home & Community Care, and primary care providers.
• Develop behaviour care summaries or "behaviour passports" to enhance continuity with community partners.
• Support implementation of short-term transition stragtegies (e.g., caregiver coaching, medication monitoring, environmental modifications).

D. Collaboration & Integration

• Work collaboratively with:

• GEM Nurse
• ED Physicians and nursing staff
• Medical unit charge nurses and managers
• Behavioural Support Ontario (BSO) teams
• Specialized Geriatric Services (SGS) clinicians
• Home & Community Care Support Services

Additional contributions include:

• Participation in case conferences for complex seniors
• Support for hospital-wide initiatives that promote dementia-sensitive care

Performs other duties as may be assigned by the direct manager.
Qualifications
Education:

• Registered health care professional with a diploma and/or degree required
• GPA & PIECES training required
• Completion of courses in geriatric care or mental health preferred

Experience:

• Minimum 3 years recent experience in the provision of direct care and/or providing clinical leadership and support to direct care providers
• Minimum 1 year experience in BSA role preferred
• Minimum 1 year experience in an Emergency Department is preferred

Other:

• Proven knowledge and appreciation in care of older adults with cognitive impairment and responsive behaviours/personal expressions.
• Demonstrated commitment to interdisciplinary care and evidence-informed practice.
• Ability to collaborate with others, mobilize a team and foster successful partnerships.
• Ability to strategically influence change.
• Proven decision-making, critical thinking and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to work autonomously and as a team.
• Proficient with computer programs like Microsoft Office Suite (i.e. Word, PowerPoint)
• Demonstrates a participatory leadership style which includes approachability, visibility, and accessibility.
• Demonstrates a commitment to ongoing professional and personal development through participation in continuing education and self-directed learning opportunities.

Our Employees Enjoy

• a professional practice environment
• a collaborative atmosphere with emphasis on teamwork
• wellness initiatives
• continuing education grants
• employee recognition and assistance programs
• a competitive salary and benefits package
• equal opportunities for growth and development

Employment Equity
OSMH is committed to diversity and equity in the workplace and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, including women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S persons and others who may contribute to a diverse workplace.
Accommodation in the Workplace
Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital is a respectful, caring, and inclusive workplace. We are committed to championing accessibility, diversity, equal opportunity and maintaining a barrier-free selection process for job applicants. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process providing the applicant has met the requirements for the open position. Applicants need to make their requirements known to the Human Resources department when contacted. All requests are handled confidentially.
Health & Safety Responsibilities
OSMH is committed to providing a safe, healthy and supportive working environment by treating team members and patients with compassion accountability respect and engagement.
All team members must adhere to OSMH's Occupational Health and Safety policies, procedures and protocols, as well as the duties of workers as stipulated in the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Team members must be able to perform all bona fide and essential duties of the position which may include cognitive and physical demands.
As a condition of employment, new employees are required to complete an employment health assessment and must be cleared by the Occupational Health and Safety Team prior to orientation.
Closing Statement
OSMH is a minimal fragrance workplace. We kindly ask all applicants to refrain from using scented products should they have the occasion to interview with the hospital. As a condition of employment OSMH requires professional references, verification of academic training, professional accreditation and evidence of course completion. It is also a condition of employment that all new employees will be required to present an original vulnerable sector check within 90 days of commencing employment and must sign an Offense Declaration upon receipt of an offer of employment.
If you are interested in joining our team, please apply online before 11:59 pm on the posting close date. Incomplete submissions will not be considered. We thank all applicants, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
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