Personal support worker job description template

Table 1: Position Identification

1. Position Summary

The Personal Support Worker visits clients of [ORGANIZATION_NAME] in their own homes and helps them live safely and independently. Clients may be older adults, people with disabilities, people recovering from surgery or illness, or people at the end of life. The PSW helps with bathing, dressing, toileting, moving around, meals and light housekeeping, following each client's care plan. Most visits are done alone, so the PSW must notice changes, make safe decisions and report to [REPORTS_TO_TITLE] promptly. The job is done well when clients get the care in their plan, on time, with dignity, and when changes in a client's health or safety are reported the same day.

2. Key Responsibilities

2.1 Personal care (30% of time)

• Help clients bathe, shower or wash at the sink, and with mouth care, shaving, hair care, skin care and dressing, following the care plan.
• Help with toileting, incontinence care and catheter or ostomy bag emptying as the care plan and [ORGANIZATION_NAME]'s policy allow.
• Ask before you help, explain each step, offer choices and let clients do what they can for themselves.
• Wash hands and use [REQUIRED_PPE] as needed at every visit.

2.2 Mobility and safe transfers (15% of time)

• Help clients get in and out of bed, chairs, the bath and the car, using the transfer method in the care plan.
• Use walkers, transfer belts, slide sheets, bath seats and mechanical lifts only after training on them.
• Remind clients to do exercises set by their physiotherapist or occupational therapist.
• Look for fall hazards, such as loose rugs, clutter, poor lighting or icy steps, and report them.

2.3 Meals and home help (15% of time)

• Plan and make simple meals and snacks that follow the client's diet and texture needs, and help with eating if needed.
• Encourage fluids and note what the client eats and drinks when the care plan asks for it.
• Do light housekeeping linked to the client's care: dishes, laundry, changing beds, tidying the bathroom and kitchen, and taking out garbage.
• Help with grocery lists, errands or getting to appointments if the care plan includes it.

2.4 Medication reminders and support (5% of time)

• Remind clients to take their medications, and help with blister packs or other tasks only as the care plan and [ORGANIZATION_NAME]'s policy allow.
• Never give, change or skip a medication on your own. Report missed doses, side effects or concerns to [REPORTS_TO_TITLE] right away.

2.5 Watching for changes and reporting (10% of time)

• Notice changes in the client's skin, eating, mood, memory, breathing, pain, mobility or home situation.
• Call [REPORTS_TO_TITLE] right away about falls, injuries, sudden illness, missed visits or anything unsafe. Call 911 in an emergency.
• Report any sign of abuse or neglect following [ORGANIZATION_NAME]'s policy.

2.6 Companionship and emotional support (10% of time)

• Talk with clients, listen, and support their interests, routines and culture.
• Use calm, simple communication with clients living with dementia, and redirect gently when they are upset.
• Support families and give caregivers a break (respite) when the care plan includes it.
• Give comfort care to clients at the end of life, as directed by the care team.

2.7 Documentation, travel and scheduling (15% of time)

• Record each visit in [CARE_APP]: time in and out, care given, and anything unusual, before leaving the client's home or by the end of the day.
• Travel between client homes on schedule, and tell the office right away if you are running late.
• Check your schedule and messages daily, and confirm changes.
• Keep client information private, including on your phone.
• Follow [ORGANIZATION_NAME]'s working alone check-in procedure.

3. Qualifications & Experience

Table 2: Qualifications Matrix

4. Competencies

Table 3: Core Competencies and Behavioural Indicators

5. Working Conditions & Performance Measures

5.1 Working Conditions and Physical Demands

The physical and environmental demands described below are those needed to do the main parts of this job. [ORGANIZATION_NAME] will accommodate employees with disabilities under human rights law, up to the point of undue hardship.

Table 4: Physical Demands and Working Environment

5.2 Performance Measures

Table 5: Performance Evaluation Matrix

5.3 Career Path

• Typical Prior Roles: Companion, Home Support Worker, PSW Student, Volunteer in a care setting.
• Typical Next Roles: Senior PSW, PSW Mentor or Trainer, Scheduling Coordinator, Care Coordinator, Practical Nurse (after further education).

5.4 Acknowledgement and Sign-Off

This job description lists the main duties and qualifications for the Personal Support Worker position at [ORGANIZATION_NAME]. It is not a full list of every task. Duties and schedules may change with reasonable notice to meet the needs of the business.

By signing below, the employee confirms they have received and read this job description.

Employee Name (Printed)

Employee Signature

Date (DD-MMM-YYYY)

Manager / Supervisor Name (Printed)

Manager / Supervisor Signature

Date (DD-MMM-YYYY)

What to fill in