HELP Externs

Michael Garron Hospital; Toronto; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established healthcare institution is seeking HELP Externs to join their compassionate team. In this role, you will provide essential support to older hospitalized patients, ensuring their comfort and well-being. You will engage with patients daily, promoting their independence and mental health through positive interactions and therapeutic activities. This position offers a unique opportunity to develop your skills in a supportive environment while contributing to a senior-friendly care approach. If you are passionate about making a difference in patients' lives and want to grow in your healthcare career, this role is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Nursing students in their 2nd, 3rd or final year of an accredited program.
• Knowledge of Occupational Health & Safety Act and infection control practices.

Responsibilities

• Providing direct care to patients and promoting their well-being.
• Liaising with nurses and supporting patient independence.
• Documenting patient data accurately in electronic health records.

Skills

Patient care

Communication skills

Teamwork

Organizational skills

Cultural competence

Infection control practices

Education

BScN/BSN Nursing program

Practical Nursing Program

Respiratory Therapy diploma

Masters of Occupational Therapy

Masters of Physiotherapy

Basic Life Support (B.L.S.)

Job description

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 Hospital 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.

Responsibilities

Externs will be hired on contract, during which the Extern will be expected to work Monday to Friday, from 8am to 4pm. HELP Externs must work full-time hours (37.5 hours per week). The scheduling of these hours does not include evening, night, weekend and statutory holiday shifts. 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 to 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.
• Maintaining awareness of patient nutritional status and dietary restrictions, e.g. NPO, Dysphagia.
• Completing, correcting and/or assisting 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.
• Performing 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:

• Delivering 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.
• Providing relevant updates to the Behavioural Specialist and Activation Coordinator.
• Requesting assistance with assigned duties whenever needed.
• Maintaining patient privacy and confidentiality at all times in line with hospital policy.
• Working in a collaborative manner within an interprofessional team.
• Providing patient and family centered care.
• Acting as an advocate for patients and their families.
• Providing culturally competent care that demonstrates sensitivity to patient and family diversity.
• Developing supportive and trusting relationships with patients, encouraging independence and participation in all aspects of care.
• Contributing to and supporting positive team functioning.
• Demonstrating a willingness to help others.
• Demonstrating 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) in September 2025 or Practical Nursing students entering 2nd, 3rd or final semester of an accredited Practical Nursing Program in September 2025.
• Students entering any year of one of the programs below in September 2025:
• 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, 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 ongoing 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 oriented, with the ability to effectively work in a diverse and inclusive environment.
• Good work and attendance record 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.