Overview
The HELP Extern is an integral member of the healthcare team working in the capacity of an unregulated care provider within the inpatient units at MGH.
The H ospital Elder Life Program (HELP) is a patient support program that helps prevent delirium in older hospitalized patients and maintains their ability to live a healthy lifestyle. HELP is an established, research-based approach that has been helping make hospitals Senior Friendly for more than 20 years. It is part of Michael Garron Hospital’s (MGH) strategy to ensure senior-friendly care across the services we provide.
HELP Externs will have the opportunity to develop their knowledge of therapeutic care and enrich their patient interaction skills while providing direct and indirect patient care in a mentored and supportive team environment. As part of the interprofessional healthcare team, the HELP Extern will support high quality care for patients and families, while demonstrating a commitment to excellence in supporting the patient and family experience.
Ultimately, the HELP Extern role will be coordinated centrally but dedicated to specific units to support a consistent work environment and promote optimal integration into the clinical team. HELP Externs will work under the direct/indirect supervision of an Extern Coordinator, a Behavioural Specialist, and an Activation Coordinator.
HELP Externs are involved in providing direct care to patients and some responsibilities may include (but are not limited to):
- Liaising with point of care nurses to identify patient care needs
- Promoting activities for the overall well-being of older patients during their hospital stay
- Promoting patient independence and offering companionship
- Promoting patient mental and physical health by way of making patients comfortable and putting them at ease during their hospital stay
- Creating a restful environment that is conducive sleep and relaxation
- Encouraging social engagement by way of positive communication and therapeutic activities
Primary Responsibilities
- Visiting and conversing with patients daily to allow them to remain alert, engaged and oriented to daily life.
- Providing meal support and hydration including tray setup and encouragement. This does not include assistance with feeding patients.
- Maintains awareness of patient nutritional status and dietary restrictions, e.g. NPO, Dysphasia
- Completes, corrects and/or assists patients with menu selections, as required
- Ambulating patients to promote mobility and blood flow
- Providing patients with sleep strategy recommendations to help promote comfort and rest in a hospital environment
- Acting as a resource to the interprofessional team where needed for: initiating patient engagement activities and assisting with patient and family communication
- Other duties as assigned to support the care team
- Performs basic therapeutic interventions as assigned by the Behavioural Specialist or Activation Coordinator which contribute to the implementation of the Interprofessional plan of care.
Under The Supervision Of The Partnered RN Team Leader, The HELP Extern Shall Practice The Following In a Manner That Is Consistent With The Professional Standards Of Their Respective Professional College (CNO/CRTO/COTO/CPO) While Taking Into Account The Program Limitations Placed On The Position
- Delivers quality and safe patient care using professional and evidence-based practice while keeping in mind the HELP Program Scope.
- Documenting data accurately and in a timely fashion in the electronic health record.
- Provides relevant updates to the Behavioural Specialist and Activation Coordinator
- Requests assistance with assigned duties whenever needed
- Maintains patient privacy and confidentiality at all times in line with hospital policy
- Works in a collaborative manner within an interprofessional team.
- Provides patient and family centered care
- Acts as an advocate for patients and their families
- Provides culturally competent care that demonstrates sensitivity to patient and family diversity
- Develops supportive and trusting relationships with patients, encouraging independence and participation in all aspects of care
- Contributes to and supports positive team functioning
- Demonstrates a willingness to help others
- Demonstrates positive communication and team building skills to enhance safe patient care
EDUCATION
- Nursing students entering their 2nd, 3rd or final year of an accredited baccalaureate program (BScN/BSN) or Practical Nursing students entering 2nd, 3rd or final semester of an accredited Practical Nursing Program
- Students entering any year of one of the programs below:
- Respiratory Therapy diploma program
- Masters of Occupational Therapy program
- Masters of Physiotherapy program
- Completion of Basic Life Support (B.L.S.) required
Qualifications
- Knowledge of the Occupational Health & Safety Act and other relevant legislation
- Knowledge of the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System
- Knowledge of Emergency Codes
- Ability to work in a job that requires lifting, considerable walking, and standing, bending, pushing and pulling of equipment
- Demonstrated knowledge of infection control practices
- Demonstrated ability to foster caring and trusting relationships with patients and families in an effort to support patient focused care
- Demonstrates a positive attitude and the willingness to work effectively in a team
- Demonstrated commitment to on-going learning and professional development
- Ability to maintain a consistent level of productivity and efficiency
- Ability to ask questions and seek out assistance when unsure of how to proceed with a task that is unfamiliar
- Ability to perform responsibilities in a courteous manner
- Compliance with confidentiality requirements under MGH Privacy Policy
- Effective organizational, interpersonal and communication skills
- Patient service orientated, with the ability to effectively work in a diverse and inclusive environment
- Good work and attendance record is required.
- All employees of Michael Garron Hospital (MGH), a division of Toronto East Health Network (TEHN) [formerly Toronto East General Hospital (TEGH)] agree to work within the legislated practices of the Occupational Health and Safety Act of Ontario.
- All employees of MGH are responsible to contribute to a transparent culture of patient and staff safety by adhering to and abiding by patient and staff safety policies and procedures set by MGH.
- All employees are accountable for protecting the psychological health and safety of themselves and their co-workers through adherence to MGH's policies and practices.
EMPLOYMENT EQUITY & ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT
Michael Garron Hospital (MGH) champions accessibility, diversity and equal opportunity through the creation of an inclusive and diverse work environment. At Michael Garron Hospital, we strive to be an equitable and inclusive employer. We encourage candidates from Black, First Nations, Métis and Inuit, racialized and LGBTQ2S+ communities, people of colour, women, people with disabilities and individuals who identify with the diverse communities that we serve, to join the MGH team.
Through our values of Compassion, Respect, Integrity, Inclusion and Courage, Michael Garron Hospital is committed to providing accessible employment practices that are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC). Should you require an accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know how we can work with you to meet your needs.
This job posting is a confirmed, active vacancy for which we are currently seeking a qualified candidate.
MGH is committed to leveraging new technologies and working efficiently. As a result, artificial intelligence systems may be used as part of our process to screen, assess, and or select applicants for this position.
