Inside the Circle – August 22, 2023

Exciting news! In just a few weeks, the Beyond Silence app will be available on your PSW phone. This app is designed to be your companion during challenging times, offering you a chance to connect with someone who understands the difficulties of healthcare work. It provides access to articles, webinars, videos, and resources to help you manage stress both at work and in your personal life.

What’s the purpose of the app?

The Beyond Silence app offers peer-to-peer support. You can have anonymous conversations with trained PSWs (peer support providers) who know the stress of your workplace experiences. Your private information remains confidential when you schedule an appointment through the app, and the person you speak with won’t know your identity either.

We’ve trained a group of our own PSWs to provide this service, but if you’re more comfortable talking to someone outside of Circle of Care, you can also book appointments with providers from other organizations using the app.

What topics can I discuss with the Peer Support Provider?

Sometimes, discussing difficult situations with someone can be incredibly beneficial. The Peer Support Provider is available to talk about any mental health-related concerns you might have.

When can I learn more about this app?

Stay tuned for more details about the Beyond Silence app in next week’s Inside the Circle newsletter. We’ll continue to provide information on using the app after its launch in September!

It is important to continue to reduce the risk of COVID-19. You should continue to follow these safety and infection control measures:

• Wash your hands regularly
• Stay home from work if you are not feeling well or have COVID symptoms
• If you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, you should stay home for 24-48 hours and take a rapid antigen test
• Wear a mask when you visit clients (it’s still required as part of your role!)
• Pay attention to how your clients are feeling

– If your client is feeling ill, wear additional PPE (gloves, eye protection and isolation gown) and report any new symptoms to your CSS.

Circle of Care requires that all PSWs and Homemakers be certified with valid and current CPR training, and that employees be properly fitted for N95 masks.
Upcoming sessions for both CPR and mask fit have been booked.

Appointments must be booked through our vendor, First Aid Care, and can be booked via phone by calling 905-272-9214, or book online by clicking the button below.

Important reminders – please read:

• Please arrive at the training session 15 minutes before the class begins.
• After you have booked your appointment, please speak to your Service Coordinator if you need any scheduling arrangements and have clients that you will need to be booked off from to attend the CPR and/or mask fit training. Please try to book a date/time where you do not have client visits scheduled.
• Your schedule will be blocked as ‘unavailable’ for you to attend the session. You do not need to use your phone to sign into the training.
• You will be paid a total of 4 hours for the training (CPR) and 1 hour for mask fit – this will be added to your schedule 1-2 weeks after the session has been completed and you will receive payment. The code will appear on your paystub as ‘Miscellaneous’
• All bookings/cancellations must be managed through the online portal. You will receive a confirmation email/text notification and will also receive a session reminder.

We also encourage you to review our CPR Tips and Guidance below.

We are pleased to welcome the following new PSWs & Homemakers to Circle of Care:

• Sade Murray
• Danique Daley
• Sumanpreet Kaur
• Carolyn Bandola
• Samichhya KC
• Kameeka Brown
• Adwoa Eshun
• Keni Patel
• Faith Omoruyi

You are encouraged to make sure your personal contact information (phone number, email address, mailing address etc.) is up-to-date in Dayforce. You can check your paystub by logging into Dayforce to confirm if your address is correct. You are able to change your personal information by logging onto the Dayforce site. If there are any questions, or to have your information updated, please reach out to HRDept@circleofcare.com

We invite you to submit your questions or feedback below. Please note that it may take us longer to provide some answers, so if you’ve asked a question that hasn’t been answered yet, we will get back to you in the coming weeks.