Part-Time Two PSWs Wanted in Toronto
Job Description
Overview:
Seeking two (2) PSWs for the care of my wife who is living with ALS in our home near Kipling and the Westway in Etobicoke, Toronto. These are permanent positions for a total of 36 hours per week, with each PSW working independently. My wife uses a ventilator to breath and requires regular suctioning and ventilator related care in addition to personal support care.
Personality:
– upbeat, positive, compassionate
Background:
– experience in personal support or nursing/medical work required
– references required
– diploma or degree required
– nursing education or experience an asset
Skills:
– Proficiency in english
Training:
– training at Westpark medical centre will be provided for ventilation equipment and tracheostomy care
– training with family members currently doing care will be provided and are available for ongoing questions
Duties:
Duties include daily washing, changing clothes, attending to her urinary needs and bowel movements and twice weekly hair washing. In addition caregivers are responsible for daily range of motion exercises.
Caregivers are also responsible for activities of daily living and ensuring her communication devices are setup and functioning. She has occasional use of a wheelchair including visits to West Park via taxi once a month.
Caregivers are responsible for maintaining clothes and bedding clean and organized, and for washing of the laundry that pertains to my wife.
With my wife unable to breathe on her own, daily duties include monitoring her ventilation equipment, suctioning of mouth and tracheostomy secretions and changing the tracheostomy dressing. Caregivers are responsible for maintaining humidifier water levels and draining excess water from ventilator tubing.
As my wife eats via a feeding tube, duties include providing feedings, water, medication, and cleaning of the feeding tube site.
As movement is difficult, duties include regular turning and repositioning of my wife in her bed. Caregivers watch for skin breakdown and infections.
Note: While ventilator and tracheostomy care are not typical PSW duties, non-medical family members have been trained at West Park and regularly perform this care. ALS is a progressive disease and duties may change over time.