Elder Life Specialist – Continuing Care Program

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 patients 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

• Bachelors 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 Healths 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.

Mackenzie Health is an inclusive and equal opportunity employer committed to providing accommodations for applicants upon request at any stage of the recruitment process in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Our hiring process does not involve the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to screen assess or select applicants.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however only those under consideration for an interview will be contacted.