Website Home Instead
Job Summary
The PSW & Caregiver role at Home Instead (Pickering & Ajax) is a “Community-Based” support position focused on enhancing the lives of aging adults. This role requires the “wit” to adapt non-medical care plans to various home settings and the “grit” to support client independence through physical assistance and domestic management. Operating within the Durham Region, you will be part of a professional “Care Team” supported by Registered Nurses and a 24/7 coordination staff, ensuring seniors can meet the challenges of aging with dignity.
Job Details
Employer: Home Instead (Pickering & Ajax franchise).
Location: Pickering and Ajax, ON.
Status: Internship / Part-time (Minimum 3 hours per shift).
Compensation: $18.40 per hour plus 4% vacation pay.
Support: 24/7 Scheduling Coordinator and Registered Nurse (RN) oversight.
Safety: PPE provided and commitment to AODA accessibility standards.
Key Responsibilities: The “Optimal Functioning” Cycle
Your goal is to provide the bridge between a senior’s limitations and their desire for independence.
Personal Care Assistance: Assist with essential hygiene, dressing, and grooming to maintain the client’s self-esteem and health.
Ambulatory Assistance: Provide steady physical support for walking and movement, ensuring the client remains mobile and safe within their home.
Nutritional Stewardship: Manage meal planning, preparation, and cooking, ensuring seniors receive balanced meals tailored to their preferences.
Medication Reminders: Provide critical verbal or visual cues to ensure clients adhere to their medication schedules safely.
Domestic Maintenance: Perform light housekeeping, laundry, and grocery shopping to keep the home environment organized and functional.
Escort & Companion Services: Accompany clients to medical appointments and provide social companionship to prevent isolation.
Candidate Profile & Qualifications
Home Instead is recruiting a diverse range of healthcare professionals and students:
The “Qualified Graduate”: PSW Graduates or Internationally-trained nurses with experience in senior ADL support.
The “Developing Professional”: PSW students who have completed placements, or RN/RPN students who have completed at least two clinical placements.
The “Experienced Aide”: Caregivers with at least one year of hands-on senior care experience.
Professional Wit: Strong communication skills to follow care plans and interact effectively with the 24/7 support team.
Technical Insights: Non-Medical Senior Support
While the role is “non-medical,” it requires a technical understanding of geriatric health and safety.
ADL Support Framework: You will utilize “Task Analysis” to break down complex activities (like dressing) into manageable steps for the senior, promoting “Optimal Functioning.”
Safe Transfer Mechanics: Even in a non-medical capacity, you must use proper “Body Mechanics” during ambulatory assistance to prevent back strain for yourself and falls for the client.
Behavioral Support: For clients with cognitive decline, you will apply “Validation” and “Redirection” techniques to manage anxiety or resistance to care.
Professional Development: You have access to “Online Courses” to stay updated on best practices for dementia care, infection control, and senior nutrition.
Why Join Home Instead Pickering/Ajax?
Home Instead is recognized for its supportive culture and commitment to caregiver professionalization.
Consistent Support: You are never alone; you have 24/7 access to scheduling coordinators and the clinical expertise of Registered Nurses.
Flexible Professional Entry: This is an excellent opportunity for nursing and PSW students to gain high-value “Internship” experience while being paid.
Clear Compensation: A transparent wage of $18.40/hour plus vacation pay, along with guaranteed minimum 3-hour shifts.
AODA Commitment: Work for an organization that values accessibility and provides accommodations throughout the hiring and employment process.
Job Description
Do you believe that aging should be met with compassion rather than just “management”? Home Instead is seeking PSWs and Caregivers in Pickering and Ajax. We aren’t looking for a “staff member”; we are looking for a dedicated professional who has the “grit” to manage a busy home care schedule and the “wit” to help a senior maintain their independence. If you are a graduate, a student, or an experienced caregiver, you belong on our Care Team.
In this role, you are an “Independence Advocate.” You understand that for a senior, staying in their own home is their greatest wish. Your goal is to provide “Excellence in Home-Based Support,” ensuring every meal is nutritious and every walk is safe. We look for “Compassionate” individuals who are organized, professional, and ready to deliver the best care to seniors in the Durham Region.
Joining Home Instead means joining a mission that truly values your contribution. We offer the professional development you seek and the 24/7 support you deserve. If you are a care professional with a commitment to “Dignity and Care,” we invite you to apply and help us enhance the lives of aging adults in Pickering and Ajax today.
Home Instead — Durham Region
Company & Location
While there isn’t a physical storefront labeled exclusively for Pickering, in Ajax serves as the primary service hub for the Pickering, Ajax, and Whitby areas. Located at 190 Harwood Ave S, Ajax, ON, this office is part of a global network dedicated to non-medical home care. They provide a vital link for families in the Durham Region, offering personalized support that allows seniors to age safely in their own homes rather than transitioning to institutional care.
Culture The culture at Home Instead is centered on the core value: “To us, it’s personal.” This philosophy fosters a workplace and service environment where care is treated as a meaningful relationship built on trust and dignity.
Relationship-Based Matching: The organization emphasizes matching caregivers with seniors based on personality, hobbies, and shared life experiences to ensure a genuine connection.
Specialized Training: Caregivers undergo rigorous training, including the network’s proprietary Alzheimer’s and dementia care programs, ensuring high-level professional competence.
Community Integration: The local team is deeply involved in the Durham community, advocating for senior wellness and providing resources for family caregivers to prevent burnout.
Responsive Support: Operating with a 24/7 service mindset, the culture prioritizes reliability and immediate communication for both routine care and urgent family needs.
To apply for this job please visit www.homeinstead.com.