Job Description

As per the current Public Health Orders (Long Term Care/Seniors Assisted Living Provincial Health Order and the Health Sector Order), as of October 26, 2021, all employees working for Providence Health Care must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Proof of vaccination status will be required.

Summary Within the context of a patient, client and family-centred model of care and, in accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values, and strategic directions of Providence Health Care, promotes a safe, respectful, and civil working environment for patients, residents, families, visitors and staff.

Reporting to the Patient Care Manager, Emergency, the Safety Support Worker (SSW) provides a proactive approach to manage potential violence/aggression within the health care setting to ensure a safe and healthy environment for patients, staff and visitors
Working under general supervision, the SSW establishes a supportive presence that promotes a variety of trauma informed interventions, practices and clinical services that cultivate safety and respect within a clinic setting with a culturally diverse population. Assists clients with acute, chronic and palliative care needs and/or their caregivers by liaising with the clinician and community services and supporting the interdisciplinary team during the client care planning process. Assesses safety and security related complaints and hazards including non-clinical emergencies and aggression and mitigates identified risks to the health care team and/or leader.

The ideal person for this role is someone who has a passion for serving patients with complex needs. You are empathetic and familiar with the diverse populations that St. Paul's Hospital serves. You will work as a bridge between patients and members of the team, and connect with everyone in a personal way. As a vital part of the Emergency Department, you will create a positive environment; by building relationships with patients, you will have a significant impact on their experiences and on the Emergency Department team.

Skills Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
Ability to deal with others effectively.
Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.
Ability to organize work.
Ability to operate related equipment.

Education Grade 12, Certificate in Social Services, Basic Security Training level 1 and 2 Certificate (training available) and one (1) year's recent, related experience or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Duties

• Maintains a safe and orderly environment by observing client behavior and attempting to resolve conflicts and assist in early de-escalations of patients and/or visitors.
• Monitors/controls access to buildings and guards against theft, vandalism, fire.
• Demonstrates/models behavior management to clients, their families and personal networks to assist with the development and maintenance of daily life skills using the principles of Violence Prevention, Trauma Informed Practice and Appreciative Inquiry.
• Provides emotional support to clients and participates in interventions and that are strength based and client centered.
• Maintains client's chart/electronic health records by performing duties such as recording client visits and documenting client's behavior when required.
• Participates in client conferences per established processes, procedures and policies.
• Completes various forms such as activity and incident reports by methods such as writing a detailed account and explanation of actions to document incidents within the established policies and guidelines.
• Reports significant observations such as client discomfort and/or pain, unusual incidents and/or accidents and feedback from the client into the care planning process to the Interdisciplinary team.
• Participates in ongoing Violence Prevention education, team planning, development, evaluation and quality improvement activities as part of the team, to facilitate team goal setting, problem solving, conflict resolution and collaboration.
• Works with team members to proactively develop safety and security plans for high-risk patients.
• Participates in team meetings, continuing education, conferences, and/or corporate initiatives by methods such as providing input, presenting relevant material, acting as an advocate for the goals and objectives of the program, and promoting optimal support for clients.
• Maintains and updates knowledge of workplace violence/aggression prevention and de-escalation theory and practice.
• Makes recommendations regarding efficiency of office processes/procedures that are trauma informed and client centered to Manager and/or inter-professional team members with a view to ensuring streamlined, effective community centred practices.
• Performs a variety of clerical duties such as setting up and maintaining files, and flagging and bring forward systems; creating new computerized and hard files; processing files for archiving based on established timeframes for various types of files.
• Carries out responsibilities in accordance with health and safety requirements.
• Immediately reports unsafe situations by notifying supervisor, IPS or other appropriate personnel.
• Establishes a supportive presence in an assigned area through methods such as conducting scheduled/unscheduled foot patrols, providing personal escorts, checking entrances/exits, locks/unlocks doors according to guidelines. May verify identity of persons requesting entrance, monitors contractors/visitors activities to ensure they comply with relevant safety/security policies/procedures and reporting security incidents to IPS as required in accordance with established protocols.
• Assists visitors/clients by providing direction and general information.
• Using demonstrated skills in workplace violence prevention including personal safety techniques and team control technique, facilitates the removal of persons from the premises through methods such as utilizing appropriate legal mechanisms and team interventions as appropriate. Under the request/direction of clinical staff, intervenes with clients utilizing a team approach and emphasizing verbal de-escalation techniques.
• Assists with evacuation of area(s) and directing fire fighters and/or police to appropriate areas.
• Participates in fire, safety and security activities and drills in support of VCH's Emergency Preparedness plans including code whites, bomb threat and search, hostage taking, loss of telephone/power and other contingency plans through methods such as assisting staff and taking action to meet the expected/unexpected demands of internal/external disasters according to established procedures and professional practices.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Employees of Providence Health Care receive an excellent and comprehensive health , as per their collective agreement or terms and conditions of employment.
*Other benefit packages may apply if this is an affiliate posting.