Have you had your mask fit tested and CPR training?

Circle of Care requires all PSWs and Homemakers to be certified with valid and current CPR training and properly fitted for N95 masks.

Important reminders:

• Arrive 15 minutes before the CPR training or mask fit session begins.
• Try to book a date/time where you do not have client visits scheduled. If you need to make any scheduling arrangements after you have booked your session, speak to your Service Coordinator.
• 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. These hours will be added to your schedule and paid out 1-2 weeks after the session has been completed. They will appear on your paystub as ‘Miscellaneous’.
• Manage your bookings or cancellations through the online portal.
• You will receive a confirmation email/text notification when you book your session and a session reminder.

Book your CPR training and mask fit sessions through First Aid Care today!

You can also book by calling 905-272-9214

Has someone gone above and beyond at work? Give them a High Five!

The High Five program lets you publicly recognize staff members for their outstanding work. High Fives will be posted in your weekly Inside the Circle newsletter.

To give a high five, just click on the button below or use the link in the rotating banner on the Portal home page.

Please note: We do not accept anonymous submissions for this program. High Fives must be submitted by an individual person, whether they are a staff member or member of the community.

I want to know what light housekeeping includes as a PSW because some clients make us do housekeeping more than their personal care.

Light housekeeping is one of the duties you may be asked her perform. This can include wiping down counters, quick meal preparation, or sweeping the floor. Approved areas for cleaning include the client’s bedroom, the bathroom, kitchen, and living room. Light housekeeping can also include assistance with laundry (machine only) if client has a minimum of 2-hours for a visit.

However, sometimes a client may ask you to do tasks that are outside your scope of duties. You can read more about this on our Scope of Duties page on the Portal: https://psw.circleofcare.com/index.php/psw-scope-of-duties/

If a client asks you to do a task that is outside your scope of duties, contact your Client Services Supervisor to let them know.

Please follow up to the clients and family members of what only PSW can do and not to do during home visits. Some clients or family members asking too many requests that are not included in the care plan and it becomes a regular routine for them if we do it. It would be great if you send them a letter or note not to ask other requests that are not in the care plan!

Thank you for your question. If this is happening, please contact your Client Services Supervisor and let them know. We have put together a brochure in English and Russian that your CSS can share with the client and review your scope of duties with them.

Do part-time workers get benefits?

According to the Collective Agreement, benefits are provided to full-time employees only.

How can I change my part time status to full time?

A full-time employee means an employee in the bargaining unit who works on average 25 hours per week or more. In order to qualify as a full-time employee, members need to work 1300 hours for the calendar year. All employees who worked 1300 hours in the 2024 calendar year will qualify for full-time status for the 2025 calendar year.

Employees are able to track the number of client-facing hours they are working year to date, by logging into the EZ Exalt app. A step-by-step guide has been compiled to show you how to do this: Accessing Sick Balances and Year to Date Hours Worked.pdf – Google Drive

Please contact your Service Coordinator if you need more hours to meet the requirement for full-time status.

How can we eat healthy, when food and everything else is going up? We have to buy foods that are not good for us to eat. It takes money to eat healthy. I find that note about healthy foods to be an insult to us.

Thank you for sharing your concerns. We completely understand that the rising cost of living, including food prices, makes it challenging to prioritize healthy eating. Our intention in sharing information about healthy food choices was to provide support, not to disregard the financial challenges many are facing.

We recognize that affordability is a real issue, and we want to explore ways to better support our employees. Please know that we value your feedback and will continue to look for ways to support the well-being of our employees in a way that is realistic and respectful of everyone’s circumstances.

Have a question? Submit your questions or feedback anonymously below!

Please note that it may take us longer to provide some answers. If your question hasn’t been answered yet, we will get back to you as soon as we can.