The County of Renfrew has given direction to create more full-time Personal Support Worker (PSW) positions.
The move will create three full-time jobs at Bonnechere Manor in Renfrew and eight full-time positions at Miramichi Lodge in Pembroke.
The estimated costs will be around $8,500 for the Manor and upwards of $30,000 for the Lodge.
The full-time positions will first be offered internally to part-time staff and externally as required.
Increased full-time positions allows for more resident care continuity, creates more stable working conditions and reduces the number of employees working in multiple locations (a provincial order currently prevents long-term care staff from working at more than one long-term care home).
Both Miramichi Lodge and Bonnechere Manor are well below the provincial average for full-time to part time PSW staff.
Across the province the average is 41% full-time and 59% part-time.
At Bonnechere Manor there’s 30% full-time and 70% part-time.
Miramichi Lodge only has 17% of PSW’s on a full-time schedule and the other 83% work part-time.