Job Summary

The Geriatric Mental Health Personal Support Worker (Part-Time) at Ocean State Job Lot (operating within their healthcare division) is a specialized clinical role in Toronto. Unlike standard PSW positions, this role focuses on the “Therapeutic Environment,” supporting seniors navigating cognitive decline, dementia, or complex mental health challenges. This position requires the “wit” to employ behavioral de-escalation techniques and the “grit” to provide consistent, dignified care to a vulnerable population.

Job Details

Employer: Ocean State Job Lot (Healthcare Division).
Location: Toronto, ON (In-person).
Salary Range: $40,000–$55,000 per year (Pro-rated for part-time).
Position Type: Part-Time (Two openings available).
Core Focus: Geriatric Mental Health, Independence, and Dignity.

Key Responsibilities

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): Assist clients with personal hygiene, dressing, feeding, and mobility, adapted to their specific mental health status.
Therapeutic Support: Contribute to a structured, safe environment that reduces triggers and promotes psychological well-being.
Behavioral Observation: Monitor for “responsive behaviors” (agitation, sun-downing, or withdrawal) and report clinical shifts to the nursing team.
Dignity & Independence: Implement care strategies that empower clients to maintain as much autonomy as possible despite cognitive or mental health barriers.
Safety Management: Ensure the physical environment is free of hazards while maintaining a calm, reassuring presence to prevent client distress.
Inclusive Care: Provide culturally sensitive support that respects the diverse backgrounds of Toronto’s senior population.

Candidate Profile

The “Mental Health Specialist”: A valid Personal Support Worker (PSW) Certificate with a specific focus or interest in geriatrics and mental health.
Relevant Experience: Proven experience working with seniors, particularly those with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or mood disorders.
Technical Wit: Proficiency in “Gentle Persuasive Approaches” (GPA) or similar dementia-care training.
Emotional Grit: High level of patience and the ability to remain professional during difficult behavioral outbursts or repetitive client interactions.
Communication Mastery: Ability to communicate clearly with clients who may have expressive or receptive aphasia (difficulty with speech).

Technical Insights: The Geriatric Mental Health Framework

In a mental health setting, the PSW’s role shifts from “Task-Oriented” to “Relationship-Oriented.”

Understanding Responsive Behaviors: In geriatric mental health, behaviors like wandering or agitation are often a form of communication. You will learn to identify the “Unmet Need” (pain, hunger, or fear) behind the behavior.
Validation Therapy: Rather than correcting a confused client, you will use “Validation Therapy”—acknowledging their feelings and reality to reduce anxiety and build trust.
The “Therapeutic Milieu”: You are responsible for maintaining the “Milieu” (the social and physical environment). This involves managing noise levels, lighting, and social cues to prevent sensory overload in clients.

Job Description

Do you believe that mental health is just as important as physical health in our senior years? Ocean State Job Lot is seeking a Geriatric Mental Health PSW to join our team in Toronto. We aren’t just providing “daily help”; we are creating a sanctuary where seniors with mental health challenges can live with dignity and peace. If you have the “grit” to navigate the complexities of dementia care and the “wit” to provide compassionate, therapeutic support every day, you belong with us.

In this role, you are a “Well-being Advocate.” You understand that for our clients, a calm environment and a respectful interaction can make all the difference in their mental clarity. Your goal is to provide “Excellence in Specialized Care,” ensuring that every client feels seen, heard, and safe. We look for “Integrity-first” individuals who value diversity and are dedicated to the unique calling of geriatric mental health.

Joining our organization means joining a leader in healthcare that values inclusion and professional growth. We offer a competitive salary and the opportunity to work in a truly therapeutic setting that changes lives. If you are a certified PSW with a commitment to “Mental Health and Senior Dignity,” we invite you to apply and join our mission to provide better care for Toronto’s seniors.

Ocean State Job Lot: The Thrill of the “Job Lot” Discovery

Ocean State Job Lot (OSJL) is a premier discount closeout retailer whose culture is rooted in its founding identity as a family-run business that values growth, integrity, and the “adventure” of shopping. Their mission is to provide “extraordinary value” by sourcing brand-name merchandise at unmatched prices, creating a treasure-hunt atmosphere for customers. Internally, OSJL fosters a “People-First” environment, recognized by Forbes and Newsweek as a top workplace. They emphasize a “Flex Forward” approach to work-life balance and invest heavily in their associates through profit participation and unique perks, such as access to company-owned vacation properties.

While OSJL has a massive presence across the Northeastern United States (with over 150 stores in states like New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island), it does not currently operate physical retail locations within Toronto or Canada. The “Ocean State” in its name refers to its home base of Rhode Island, where it remains headquartered in North Kingstown. For those in the GTA looking for the OSJL experience, the closest physical stores are typically found across the border in Western New York (such as Buffalo or Niagara Falls). Despite the lack of local storefronts, the company’s philanthropic reach is global, with its Charitable Foundation providing significant crisis and disaster relief across North America.

To apply for this job please visit www.oceanstatejoblot.com.