Patient Care Assistant (TFT) Horizons

Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care; Penetanguishene; On-site; CAD 39,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation pay 6%

Extended benefits option 14% or HOOPP

Employee referral program

EFAP

Job summary

Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care in Ontario is recruiting a Temporary Full-Time Patient Care Assistant for the Horizons Geriatric Psychiatry program. You will support nursing staff, assist with activities of daily living, and help engage patients in social and recreational activities.

Responsibilities include documenting in the EHR, reporting safety concerns, and participating in team care planning while maintaining a therapeutic environment.

Qualifications

• Developmental Support Worker diploma or PSW certificate or 1 year of recognized Nursing program.
• Current CPR/First Aid would be asset.
• Knowledge of hospital policies and patient safety.

Responsibilities

• Provide patient-centered, recovery-oriented support to individuals and families.
• Assist with ADL and IADL activities and life skills development.
• Support care activities and document in EHR.
• Attend inter-professional meetings and report patient status.
• Ensure a safe, therapeutic environment and respond to emergencies.
• Escort patients and provide security coverage as needed.
• Participate in mandatory and self-directed education.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Interpersonal skills

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Self-directed

French/English bilingual (preferred)

Basic computer skills

Education

DSW diploma

PSW certificate

Nursing program (1 year)

Tools

CPR/First Aid certification

Electronic health records (EHR)

Job description

DEPT/PROGRAM

Horizons

JOB CLASS

Patient Care Assistant

EMPLOYMENT TYPE

Temporary Full Time

(Up to 6 Months)

RATE OF PAY

$27.95-$29.37 per hour

WORK SCHEDULE

75 hours bi-weekly

EMPLOYEE GROUP

OPSEU

VACANCYTYPE

EXISTING Vacancy

POSTING DATE

September 28, 2026

HYBRID ELIGIBLE

No

NUMBER

1

Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care is a 321-bed academic and teaching hospital that provides specialized mental health, addiction and geriatric care. Located on the shores of Georgian Bay, we serve some of the most complex and disadvantaged individuals in Ontarioand are the sole provider of high-secure forensic mental health services in the province.

The Clinical Manager of the Horizons Program for Geriatric Psychiatry is currently seeking a dedicated Temporary Full-Time Patient Care Assistant. As a member of the inter-professional team, the Patient Care Assistant will provide personal care and support to individuals with mental health needs, under the direction of, and in collaboration with, registered nursing staff and clinical staff with general operations of the Geriatric Psychiatry unit.

Working under the direction of a registered nursing staff, incumbents will:

• Provide patient-centered, recovery-oriented, professional, safe and effective support to individuals and their families with the focus on the patient’s health care choices.
• Assist with ADL and IADL activities, development of life skills, and engagement in social and recreational activities at Waypoint and in the community.
• Support care activities as required and identified in the patient care plan.
• Provide assistance to other disciplines by helping with activities such as recreational and life skills acquisition programming, on-unit special events such as bingos, movies, walk programs, special outings for patients; handing out food trays to clients at meal and snack breaks; and acting as ward runner by delivering and picking up supplies as required.
• Reports to patient’s assigned nurse (and to team leader/charge nurse as applicable) on results of direct care and tasks completed.
• Report to patient’s assigned nurse (and to the team leader/charge nurse as applicable) and document in the patient’s EHR, any potential safety and security concerns and observations of physical and behavioral incidents or statements made by patients related to patient’s wellbeing, patient’s safety and safety of others. Participate in inter-professional meetings and contribute to discussions related to patient status/progress/care planning; exchange information, document in the clinical file, maintain confidentiality in accordance with the Mental Health Act, Personal Health Information Protection Act and applicable Waypoint policy. Comply with applicable policies for ethical conduct.
• Ensure a safe, therapeutic environment for patients, who are experiencing physical, cognitive, emotional and behavioral changes, and co-workers by continuously monitoring the working environment, including locking/unlocking doors according to unit/hospital policy.
• Assisting with hospital security codes; performing patient counts and observations including checking patients and environment for contraband; using crisis intervention techniques; participating in planned and emergency restraints in accordance with applicable policies, assisting with planned fire and other security drills, ensuring adherence to unit procedures related to razors/sharps usage; engaging with patients at prescribed frequency in collaboration with the care team and according to applicable policies.
• Provide escorts for patients within and outside the facility as assigned and provide security coverage for patients admitted to general hospitals as required.
• Participate in mandatory and self-directed education as required.
• Managers have the right to assign additional duties and schedule alternate work locations based on operational requirements.
• Performs all work at all times in compliance with all hospital policies and procedures, legislation (Occupational Health & Safety Act, Fire Code, WHMIS, etc.) relevant to health and safety, security and potential risk hazard

REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS

• Developmental Support Worker diploma, OR: Personal Support Worker certificate (Inclusive of any College, Private College or Adult Education Facility that includes a minimum of 600 joint classroom and practical experience hours) OR Successful completion of at least one year of a recognized Nursing Program (BScN or Practical Nursing) Diploma/Degree in a related healthcare field - Required
• Current Certification in CPR and First Aid would be an asset.
• Knowledge of procedures, relevant guidelines and regulations established by the hospital including Patient Safety and Risk Management policies and standards.
• Knowledge of all hospital codes and interventions related to this position; Knowledge of relevant legislation
• Knowledge of Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA), Mental Health Act, in regards to patient confidentiality; Health Care Consent Act, Occupational Health and Safety.
• Basic knowledge of computer software
• Analytical skills to identify patient abilities and needs based on their diverse backgrounds, to identify changes in activities of daily living, or demonstrations of verbal or physical aggression.
• Verbal communication skills to interact with team members e.g. reporting changes in patients' physical or emotional behaviors, identify program needs, share ideas/plans and engage with patients.
• Written communication skills to accurately document/update a variety of reports in accordance with Hospital documentation standards (e.g. patient file).
• Interpersonal skills to establish and maintain therapeutic engagement with patients and to work collaboratively with the inter-professional team.
• Physical ability to respond appropriately to emergency codes including assisting with physical restrain in accordance with applicable policies and procedures.
• Effective organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of an inter-professional team, including the ability to be self-directed within some of the key responsibilities of the role.
• Basic computer skills to input/report in electronic databases and documents; e-learning, e-mail, inter/intranet, etc.
• Proven written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to adapt readily to change
• Models and promotes core ethical practice, Waypoint Values (Caring, Respect, Accountability, Innovation), and reflects an optimistic and positive attitude.
• Preference for proficiency in French/English language skills.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Includes 6% in lieu of vacation to start and 14% in lieu of benefits OR 10% if enrolling in HOOPP
• Participation in the employee referral program
• Access to Waypoint’s Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP)