UNIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS IN THE PSW FIELD – WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE

Many working PSW’s are often misled with information being delivered regarding the roles of these two very different organizations. This article will attempt to differentiate the two in how each of these organizations play in representing the PSW in the workplace.

Unions were first created in the early 1900’s to regulate a fair and safe work environment, acceptable hours of work and equality of pay.  Unions are still present and strong today albeit  some of the duties have become redundant due to the implementation of labour standards mandated and enforced by municipal, provincial, and federal government agencies.  Unions if in place are used to mediate issues or problems between the employer and employee to better the standards and work environment for the employee.  Unions negotiate on behalf of the employees with the employer to develop and solidify a structured plan that both parties agree upon in order to carry out the job at hand, also known as a Contract.  Unionized employees  usually have representatives consisting of fellow co-workers that work with the employer to put into effect agreements toward fair wages, hours of work, conditions of employment, time off and numerous other issues pertaining to the contract. Union dues on average, usually amount to the equivalent of a few hours of pay per month or in some cases a percentage of take home pay.  Variations of the dues will be contingent on the status of employment, full time or part time.

Associations are not-for-profit groups usually requiring annual registration.They are often professional bodies acting to protect the group they represent. For PSW’S, this includes developing, maintaining and upholding Scopes of Practice, Standards of Care and a Code of Ethics specifically for PSWs. Accountability and professionalism is expected of  it’s members. Development of continuing education, a resource centre and an information source are several of the deliverables for members. Associations can engage in issues between employees and employers that are not part of the binding contract by working as a third party alongside not only the employee and employer,  but also with the labour board and any other committee’s associated with the employment.

Associations play an important role for self employed PSWs providing care to clients.  Associations can offer access to liability insurance at a savings to members. Self-employed PSWs have support from a professional organization in the work field and members will be recognized as belonging to a larger body

Having a breakdown of the two entities and understanding the different roles for each and the benefits of being a member of an association   should help with understanding the need for professional support.

The most frequently asked question I get is,  “Can I be a member of an association while I am a member of a Union?”  The answer to that golden question is absolutely, actually it is highly recommended that regardless of being in a union or not, a PSW should be a member of an association.

So remember, as a PSW delivering care in all environments stay informed,  practice within your scope to provide safety for yourself and the people you care for.

When you decide to join an Association just remember “We have your Back”

   This blog was written by our new OPSWA Representative Brian Danckaert, He has been a PSW since 2008, he attended school in Elliot Lake through the Algoma School Board and graduated with honours.  Brian is currently employed in home care through an Agency in Southwestern Ontario.  He also has two years of experience in private care. Brian has now been offered the role of OPSWA representative for Southwestern Ontario with honour, and is looking forward to working with the OPSWA team and fellow PSW’s in assisting the need and awareness in the field.    Any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me at brian@opswa.com.

Welcome Brian!

Team OPSWA

New Blogger for OPSWA

It’s a new year so new things are coming from OPSWA again 🙂

I am super excited to announce our not so new Blogger Stefanie Nucci aka APSWLIFE. Stefanie is not new to OPSWA – many of you will know her as our Communications Liaison. 

When I met Stefanie, she had already been blogging for her own blog APSWLIFE, speaking to the reality of being a Personal Support Worker. I was so impressed by her writing and her honesty we just had to have her at the association. So I invite you to have a look at her Blog and her Website, both of which I am proud to say are now officially a branch of the Ontario Personal Support Worker Association.

Welcome again Stef! 

We are thrilled to have you!

Your friends/family at OPSWA

New Years Message from President of OPSWA Miranda Ferrier

As we bring 2014 to a close, it is always neat to look back on what has happened in the past year and how far OPSWA has come for PSWs.

I have been striving for PSWs through PSW Canada and now OPSWA since 2006. What a journey it has been…

As a Personal Support Worker myself, I see and understand all the difficulties PSWs deal with today. When I see this. I want Change. Through OPSWA over the past year, I have met with some very influential people..I have made partnerships with employers and organizations dedicated to the Professionalization of Personal Support Workers. We have and will continue to strive for a better tomorrow for PSWs and those in our care. Why? Because YOU Deserve it. Not just “anyone” can do our job. It takes a very special sort of person to be a PSW. And not all PSWs that are PSWs should be! And thats where OPSWA comes in. We have set standards, We have raised the bar for PSWs and we have NEVER stopped nor changed our message. Recognition for PSWs. Respect for PSWs. and Standards for PSWs.

I believe the association has delivered on all three. We have brought recognition to PSWs by our relationships with media, organizations, family councils, MPP’s, MPs and the list goes on. Through that recognition comes respect. Respect for what you do! For what you provide for Ontario’s most vulnerable!

And we have set the standard. This year OPSWA in partnership with Right at Home Canada was thrilled to unveil our Scope of Practice and our many Standards of Practice for our PSWs. It was a lot of work, but well worth it for Ontario’s PSW!

One thing that OPSWA has done fully is take ownership of the PSW of Ontario. You ask me what that is? Ownership means we accept you all and we accept everything that comes along with it. Our goal is to continue to support, guide and represent PSWs as your Professional Association. We will continue to set Standards and build towards a better tomorrow for all PSWs, that is my promise to you all.

2014 was a huge victory for OPSWA, Bringing over 11,000 PSWs together under one solid Association. All of our PSWs are actual PSWs – all being thoroughly vetted for Criminal, schooling, ID Checks. Making sure that our PSWs stand out among the crowd. We couldn’t be more proud of that.

So here’s to another year of pissing people off, making a difference and most of all SUPPORTING and ROOTING for Ontario PSWs!

I wish you all the best for 2015.

Remember, OPSWA has your back. No matter what. 

Miranda Ferrier

President

Ontario Personal Support Worker Association

PSWs are NOT alone.

Lately I have been watching our PSWs talk on our Facebook group and one constant has remained – as PSWs we are alone.

That remark is untrue. As PSWs in the province of Ontario YOU have a professional Association. There is NO other province in Canada that as a Professional Association for PSWs. We offer you protection, answers to your questions, a listening ear! We offer health benefits, discounts on insurance, resources, help with resume/career building, upgrading, advocacy but most importantly a VOICE.

Some PSWs have asked us why aren’t we in Thunder bay? Why aren’t we in Kenora? Why don’t we do things up north?

The answer to that is simple. We do. We have PSWs in all those areas but very few! In order to have upgrading for our members we NEED members.

OPSWA is a volunteer association – every person that sits on a board or committee or works every single day to bring positive change for our PSWs is a volunteer – nonetheless they are volunteers with TONS of passion and drive.

Without OPSWA – the PSWs of Ontario would not have a voice – there would be no PSW around the table for the PSW Registry – there would be NO ONE defending the Personal Support Worker with anyone – there would be no one for PSWs to rely upon.

So I guess some PSWs are right – if you are not a member of OPSWA – I guess you are alone. So join and become a Professional PSW. Make the move to improve YOUR future.

Miranda Ferrier

President

Ontario Support Worker Association (OPSWA)

MFerrier@opswa.com

http://www.opswa.com

Merry Christmas & Old Folks

 

Blogs are hard to write lately.  Reason? Overload of upcoming holidays, working as a rep for OPSWA! (the best thing I ever did in my life) and part-time caregiver to the most darling girl in the world.

 

Its December.  Hard to believe another year has flown by.

I have hope, I have vision and I will continue fighting as an advocate for elderly and vulnerable clients across the province of Ontario and across Canada as a member of OPSWA.  I heard the other day that the difference between a dream and a goal is a timeline!  I dont have a timeline…it is not visible to me yet.  But I will continue to dream & work toward that goal of PSWs united across the province in education, support, professionalism and quality.

 

Today I am inspired to write about Old Folks!

I have experienced a lot in my life – and thankfully almost everything I have done has been a lesson to me.  The very biggest lesson in my life was taking on the job of a caregiver.

 

I did it blindly as a teenager – not prepared for it as courses were not available back in the Stone Age ( I am talking the mid 1960s)

 

Hard to believe isnt it?  One of the most important jobs in health care – no preparation.  Mind you things have improved and now we have a new title in Ontario – Personal Support Workers

and we do have a course that trains PSWs in many skills and strengths.  My Christmas wish is to get education standardized across the province.

 

But I digress.  I want to comment on Old Folks.  They are the ones PSWs care for.  Not always – but mostly.  Other important groups we serve are individuals with early onset dementia, brain injury, special needs, cognitively delayed – so many fascinating people I have met in my life.

 

Old Folks!

I am one – or almost.  I am over 60 and on the slippery slope toward end of life..ooops..did I say that?  Yep…as a senior on Twitter I am learning all kinds of things and EOL – is one of them.  Each of us is heading there.  We don’t think about it much when we are in our teens and early adult years.  But when you are a PSW – its something you see every day.  When you are an Old Folk its more than seeing..its believing.  To Old Folk, every day is precious.  No matter if you are facing cancer, or dementia or if you are in fairly good health..each day is important.

 

I don’t believe that Old Folk purposely wake up grouchy in the mornings..but if you do find one of us in a bad mood…perhaps you could think about why?

 

– not happy to have the overhead lights turned on at 6 am sharp and forced to be dressed or bathed or both – and then have to wait til 8 or later for cold oatmeal and soggy toast?

 

– didn’t sleep well despite pain meds and has achy joints and Just got to sleep an hour ago!

– nothing to get up for – no one will visit me today.

 

– breakfast? can live without it – but they wont give me tea and toast in my room because I MUST attend the dining room in order to be socially involved and participating.  Bah Humbug!

 

Does this give you some perspective on your grouchy clients?  I hope so.  Cause one day I am going to be in that bed when you come in and flip that light switch.

 

Be kind to me…speak softly, put a small light on..give me a chance to open my eyes and feel human.  Treat me with respect and kindness becauseI need that.  I don.t get hugs, cuddles, or kind words very often.  Perhaps my husband died, or I am alone far away from children and family.  Perhaps I am scared.  Perhaps I am tired, depressed and in pain.

 

You may have a special event planned tonight – you may have a party to go to or a concert with your partner or family.   I have very little to look forward to.  My family is scattered across the province or country.  They won’t see me over the holidays.   I may be able to read a book or not.  I may be able to enjoy a TV show or not.  I may lay there sleepless til 3 am – listening to call bells, listening to staff talk in the halls…wishing I could find a snack but I can’t get out of bed and the staff are too busy and can’t find anything great in the fridge anyway…

 

When you look at things through others’ eyes – you may understand why Old Folks are grouchy.

Especially Old Folk in care.

 

Give them the benefit of the doubt.  Remember that Christmas time is not that happy for someone who is in retirement or LTC.  They get few visitors.  They have few cards or gifts.  They maybe can’t enjoy the turkey dinner because they can no longer eat certain foods.  They need us more than ever, even just to get out of bed – or maybe to turn over or reposition.  They need PSWs to enrich their life, bring sunshine and energy into their room.

 

I hope you will report back and tell me how many smiles, hugs, words of kindness you get back for being an inspiration in their day.

Thank you to all PSWs who give up their Christmas with their kids to care for others.  Thank you for sharing your energy and time with those who have little to look forward to.  I will be “on duty” over Christmas.  I would not be anywhere else.  PSWs bring Hope and Love.  PSWs make the difference.

 

Merry Christmas one and all.

from an Old Folk who understands the point of view of a resident in LTC.

Natrice Rese PSW

NRese@opswa.com    http://www.opswa.com

 

 

 

 

Hiring a Personal Support Worker – Pt. 2

In my endless task of improving senior care in Ontario, one client at a time, I have finally hired another Personal Support Worker to join my team.

This specific lady comes to me as a member of The Ontario Personal Support Worker Association www.opswa.ca

Regular readers of my blog have heard me sing the praises of OPSWA countless times.

“OPSWA was created out of necessity and want. PSWs all over Ontario wanted a professional association they could call their own.
OPSWA is that Professional Association. It is run by a board of directors and an advisory committee. All who are dedicated to Personal Support Workers in Ontario and making a difference for everyone.”

Why is this significant to my hiring process?

First, members of an association automatically stand out and have a leg up on the competition. Think about it – if an individual has taken the time and money to join a specific association, then don’t you think that individual will be more committed to the job at hand. I certainly do!
I, personally, am a member of many associations and organizations. This is not just because it looks good at the bottom of my email signature, but because it shows my clients and potential clients that I have taken the time and money to be part of a bigger body – to be part of an important team.

Second, I know that my new staff member is now held accountable, not just by my company policies, but also by the policies of OPSWA. I have been told that I have some of the strictest company policies in Ontario. Why? Would you want somebody caring for your loved one, on the most personal level, with slack policies? So, if my staff are following my specific governing rules in addition to the governing rules of the association that they took time to join, then I feel more than comfortable representing my company as one of the best in Ontario.

Third, members of OPSWA are just more professional, plain and simple.
One of my biggest complaints while trying to hire personal support workers, is the lack of professionalism within the industry. As mentioned in my last blog, I believe this starts at the beginning, during the schooling stage. Professionalism is not taught in the curriculum, but it is sure part of OPSWA! Members of OPSWA come to the interview with a well organized binder of all their credentials, extra schooling, awards, etc. They are also dressed professionally and know how to answer those tough questions. This specific new hire also took the time to send me a “Thank You” card (I have never had this happen before!)

You may be asking yourself, why is this important or relevant to regulations of private home care? Easy – if it was mandatory, due to the regulations, that all private home care organizations only hire members of an association, then don’t you think that home care would drastically improve? I sure do!

So the question I leave you with is this … Why are employers not pushing for all of their staff to be part of this association? I’m jumping on board, are you?

If you feel as passionate about improving senior care regulations in Ontario as I do, please sign my petition – http://www.gopetition.com/petition/30982/signatures.html

Posted by Take It Easy Home Care

It is more than “just a job”

This letter was sent to OPSWA when we were PSW Canada. I wish I could remember the PSW who sent it in, It moves me to goosebumps everytime I read it, I thought I would share again.

Miranda Ferrier

Dear PSW Canada,

I feel I have one of the hardest and yet one of the most rewarding careers there is.  I am a PSW and NO it doesn’t stand for Professional Shit wiper (although some days you would think that :P) It stands for Personal Support Worker.

I’ve been slapped, punched, kicked, cursed at, bitten, gummed and have had to duck and dodge plates flying towards my head.  I have cried with, and I have laughed with my residents. I have watched them die, and have held the hand of many while they took their last breathe.  I have also become an extended family member, adopted grand daughter, a confidant and a friend.  I am with my residents 260 days out of the 365 in a year.  Often seeing them more than my own family.  And for those reasons is why I say my career choice is one of the hardest and most rewarding ever.

Nothing can beat the twinkles in the eye and the smile on the face of one of your residents when they see you in the morning and you know they are truly happy you are there.

Or getting the Alzheimer’s resident who doesn’t talk to say good morning to you.

Watching a stroke victim put on their shirt for the first time that morning by themselves and celebrating that little victory. Knowing that you are there for that individual when they need it the most.

Some have questioned the reason for me becoming a PSW and some hav e even told me that I sold myself short by not going further with my education.  I say take your trip to europe and shove it.

I can honestly say that I am happy with my career choice, and yes I said career because to me this is way more than “just a job”.

I hold my head high when I say I am a PSW, and now you know why.

PSWs and abuse

” It happens all the time” – ” unfortunately these things occur” – ” You’ll see things here – Keep your mouth shut” – ” Oh She didn’t mean it” – ” we don’t have to tell anyone, it’s not like they are going to do anything about it” – ” I don’t want to lose my job, so I’m not saying anything” – ” I can’t stand up for my residents, I will pay the consequence”  – ” Oh well, who’s gonna notice” – ” it happens everywhere”

These are just a few phrases that come to OPSWA from PSWs regarding abuse. Unacceptable.

If you as a PSW, see or witness or think there is abuse, REPORT IT.

Enough with the cover ups and the excuses, just to make Yourself feel better. PSW is a Profession where you are to PROTECT the vulnerable.

If you cannot do this, Please exit the profession. We need PSWs that are willing to STAND UP and make a difference. Enough is enough. Abuse is everywhere. Nothing will change unless someone says something.

You want protection, join OPSWA. That’s what we are HERE FOR! If you want to be one of the PSWs who cares about your residents/clients, join us, we support you! We will go to bat for our registered PSWs. We have gone to bat for our PSWs and guess what…we have WON.

So think about this next time you see abuse, don’t shrug it off…stand up for those who cannot speak for themselves..make a difference. BE a PSW.

Miranda Ferrier

President

OPSWA

Registry for Ontario’s PSW. History has been made.

I was at Queen’s Park on Thursday May 19th for Minister Deb Matthews announcement about the registry for PSWs, which they are hoping to have up by Summer 2012.

What a remarkable experience it was to be there for history being made. I was surrounded by PSWs who Hooted and whooped and applauded when the announcement was made! I had goosebumps and a smile from ear to ear.

I was honoured when my fellow PSWs turned to me and said “thank you Miranda, without PSW Canada and OPSWA, this wouldn’t have happened”. WOW. We did it PSWs. We screamed loud enough that finally the government has listened. We will now be recognized and respected for what we do day in and out.

But now the real work has begun. As PSWs, you have to ask yourself, who do you want really involved in YOUR registry? Do you want corporate professionals, DR’s? Nurses? Or PSWs? I will point out at this moment that The Ontario personal Support Worker Association is the ONLY association or organization that is run BY PSWs for PSWs and I promise you I will do EVERYTHING in my power to make sure YOUR best interests are at the heart of this registry.

Now is the time to speak up PSWs. No more being quiet with fear of reprisals. You have been recognized by the government as  a vital part of the Health Care team. Congrats!

To the future PSWs, It can only get better from here!

Cheers

Miranda Ferrier

President

Ontario Personal Support Worker Association (OPSWA)

You might not want to be a PSW if….

You might not want to be a Personal Support Worker(PSW) if;

– You have no patience or compassion for those in need

– You are in it for the paycheck instead of the care/people

– You cannot handle high paced environments

– You cannot stand the sight of body fluids

– You do not want to hear stories of the war or days back when

– You cannot Mulitask..

– you cannot be adult about rumors by staying out of it

–  you think the job will be a cake walk

– you cannot watch someone die

– you cannot for as many hours as your shift lasts, put others before yourself

– you care more about your social life at work than your job

– you do not like Seniors or disabled persons

– if you do not want to do everything in your power to make life comfortable up until the very end.

– If you want to be called Nurse and act like one…go take the RPN Course.

– You are in it just for fun..or had nothing else to do. We don’t want you then.

* I am sure there are more than this, but please if you are going into the PSW profession..MAKE SURE YOU REALLY WANT TOO…before you do.

Thank you

Your OPSWA Team