In this section think about….

What qualifications would be required for each of the HELP roles?

Describe the job descriptions for each of these roles in your setting.

What orientation would be appropriate for new HELP employees?

Recommended Full Time Equivalents (FTE)

Qualifications Role Descriptions Modifications at HHS Orientation

ELNS

VOLUNTEERS

ELSPATIENT

Staff Nurses

Attending and Staff Physician

s

Consultants (OT, PT,

SLP, Dietitian)

Social Worker

PharmacistCommuni

ty Agencies

Geriatrician

FTE- 1.0 recommended Qualifications- Bachelor’s Degree experience in geriatrics supervisory experience communication organizational computer skills

Role Responsibilities Day to day operations Volunteer recruitment Volunteer training, ongoing mentoring Linking of patient, health care team and volunteers Patient Screening Patient Enrollment Reviewing patients’ clinical status Consulting with CNS and other team members Ensures completion of volunteer interventions Tracking of patient data

Modifications at HHS- FTE- 1.0 FTE General site 0.8 FTE Juravinski site In class training shared with CNS ELS screens all patients, and shares patient

assessment responsibilities with CNS ELS participates in program and corporate initiatives

related to care of seniors HHS stipulates that ELS has to belong to a Professional College

Corporate Orientation Orientation to HELP Job shadowing of HELP staff Performing the ELS role with supervision Shadowing interdisciplinary team

members on HELP units (PT, OT, Dietitian, SW, Charge Nurse, Pharmacist, SLP)

FTE -0.5 recommended Qualifications: Master’s prepared Advanced Practice

Nurse 3-5 years experience with older adult

population Expert clinician in gerontology or

willingness to become an expert clinician

Role Description Utilizes in-depth knowledge and skills, advanced judgment in

providing solutions to common health problems in older adult population

Methodically reviews patients’ clinical status daily with focus on “geriatric vital signs” and utilizes Elder Life CNS protocols as appropriate

Provides education, support and role modeling to nursing staff Identifies and assesses trends or pattern that have health

implications for patients and their families Critiques, interprets , applies and disseminates evidenced based

findings Initiates timely and appropriate referrals and collaboration with

health care providers Serves as a liaison between patient and community agencies to

facilitate discharge planning

Modifications at HHS Nursing ProtocolsNursing Protocols Assessment and enrollment of patients- Assessment and enrollment of patients-

CNS enrolls and follows patients with CNS enrolls and follows patients with complex needscomplex needs

CNS participates in classroom training of CNS participates in classroom training of volunteersvolunteers

Job Job OrientationOrientation Individualized based on nursing education Individualized based on nursing education

and experience and experience

FTE- 0.1 recommended Qualifications- Certified Geriatrician Role Description

Participates in interdisciplinary rounds Provides geriatric assessment and consultation upon request Provides education to physicians Serves as liason with hospital medical staff Modifications at HHS

Due to limited Geriatrician resources, a Geriatrician consults with HELP team monthly to discuss program development/management issues and

clinical cases HELP team can recommend a Geriatric Consult for a HELP

HELP team is integrated part of interdisciplinary healthcare team:

- Attending and Staff Physicians - Staff Nurses - PT, OT, SW, SLP, Dietitian, Pharmacist - Discharge Planner/Social Worker

Allied Health Professionals support the HELP by

participating in HELP volunteer training (PT, SLP, Infection Control) and by providing guidance to HELP volunteers

FTE- 0.1 Role Description Oversees and supervises the entire program and is

key to provide overall leadership This role can be assumed by the Geriatrician or

HELP CNS

Modifications at HHS- Clinical Manager who manages several Seniors

Health services oversees day to day operations including budget, staffing, etc.