The HELP Specialist is responsible for the oversight of the Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) across Mackenzie Health sites. The HELP Specialist would ensure the daily operations of the HELP program and act as resource in geriatric care.
The Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) involves coordinating specially trained volunteers providing targeted interventions that address geriatric issues known to contribute to cognitive and functional decline during hospitalization. The goals of the program are to maintain patient’s physical and cognitive functioning throughout hospitalization and to provide supportive care for the elderly throughout the hospital.
Contribute to safe, quality care by
- HELP development and evaluation across Mackenzie Health sites (MRHH, CVH & RCC)
- Provide leadership/mentorship to HELP Assistant
- Collaborates with Volunteer Services Department and HELP Assistant to recruit, train and orient HELP volunteers
- Collaborates with HELP Assistant to ensure cross site coverage
- Actively participates in and provides leadership on internal/external committees
- Works with inpatient geriatric team on various seniors related initiatives
- Acts as a resource and supervises HELP volunteers
- Responsible for HELP related volunteer training and mentorship
- Orientates and continuously collaborates with patients, families, hospital staff and professional staff to grow and enhance the services of HELP
- Daily screening and enrollment of appropriate patients into program
- Develop patient-centered care plans and patient-appropriate activities for the HELP volunteers, updating patient care plans as needed based on patients’ needs and outcomes
- Coordinates HELP volunteer schedules assuring optimal coverage to support program needs
- Serves as a leader and advocate for Senior friendly care
- Collaborate with external partner organizations to sustain HELP program goals
What must you have?
- Bachelor’s Degree in a healthcare related field required, Therapeutic Recreation preferred
- Certificate in Volunteer Management required
- Education in Gerontology and/or 5 years of experience working with the elderly in an acute care setting
- 1-year experience in program development, required
- 1-year experience in recruitment and training, required
What else do you bring?
- Previous experience in HELP an asset
- Demonstrated ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary team
- Ability to work independently: initiating, prioritizing and managing multiple tasks
- Excellent communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills
- Proven attendance record
- Demonstrates understanding and complies with patient and staff safety policies and procedures that foster a safe and inclusive environment for all.
- Ability to perform the essential duties of the job.
- Effectively uses empathy in interactions with others.
- Demonstrates behaviours consistent with Mackenzie Health’s Commitment to Caring.
- Models behaviour that is aligned with the values of Mackenzie Health – Excellence, Leadership and Empathy.
- Commitment to providing an exceptional experience for staff and clients within a challenging and exciting health care environment.
Preferably, your profile also includes:
- Previous experience working with Microsoft Office
- Experience with EPIC
*You may be required to work at any site of Mackenzie Health.
