Observer - Observer Resource Team - Regular full-time 2023-SB0037

We currently have opportunities for Regular Full-Time Observers on our Observer Resources Team at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. The salary is $16.55 per hour. Observers work on a fixed schedule, typically rotating through day and night 12 hour shifts.

Regular full-time positions come with health and dental benefits, vacation days, and membership in our pension plan with HOOPP.

The Observer is an unregulated health care provider who is primarily responsible for the close observation of patients whose behaviour poses a risk to his/her safety or the safety of others. Passionate about person centred care, the observer engages in restorative care, and provide assistance with activities of daily living to the patient/resident for whom they are observing.

Working under the direction of the supervising registered health care professional, including the Unit’s Patient Care Manager or designate, the Observer Resource Team provides support to Patient Care Units across Sunnybrook. The patients you are observing may be elderly and suffering from dementia, or they may be young patients who have experienced a traumatic injury. This includes individuals who may have been in motor vehicle collisions, who have been assaulted, who have fallen, or people who have attempted to harm themselves or may have experienced a physical disfigurement.

Summary of Duties

• Observe the patient(s) assigned so as to support a safe and caring environment for the patient(s).
• Notify a registered health professional immediately if the patient is in any danger, if the patient has gone missing, or if there is a significant change in the patient’s behaviour and/or condition.
• Interact with the patient, comforting the patient as needed and engaging in cognitively stimulating recreational activities as appropriate.
• Under the close or direct supervision of the patient’s registered health professionals, provide assistance to the patient with the activities of daily living.
• Communicate their observations with the health care team to facilitate care planning.
• Complete the documentation specifically required of Observers, as per corporate policy and procedure.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications/Skills

• Minimum Grade 11 or equivalent education as recognized by the Ministry of Education, Province of Ontario
• One year of recent related experience in an acute care hospital, long term care or complex continuing care setting required OR a PSW certificate from an accredited program OR completion of a minimum of one year of an accredited Nursing program.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of spoken and written English language skills and abilities required
• Successful completion of recent accredited Personal Support Worker certificate an asset
• Demonstrated experience and delivery of patient focused care
• Demonstrated ability to perform effectively as a member of an interdisciplinary care team
• Excellent problem-solving, critical thinking and communication skills

To apply please read the following instructions carefully:

To apply, copy the below Screening Questions, click on “"Apply for Position" near the top right corner of this page, and paste those questions into the “Comments/Cover Letter” field, and answer them. If you wish to also attach a cover letter please submit it in one document with your resume.

Only applications received with a resume and the following questions answered will be considered.

Screening Questions:

1) Have you ever been phone screened/phone interviewed or interviewed in person for an Observer position at Sunnybrook before?

2) This position requires 12 hour rotating Day and Night shifts, you will have rotating days off throughout the week based on the schedule. Are you able to work this type of schedule? A sample schedule would be:

3) Do you have vacation planned in the next 12 months? If so please list the dates.

4) In what capacity have you previously worked with patients (i.e. volunteer, PSW, Nursing Student, International Nurse, etc)

5) Please summarize your experience working with patients with cognitive impairments.

6) Please summarize your experience working with patience with high risk behaviours (i.e. aggression, agitation, tube pulling, exit seeking).