Courtney – Personal Support Worker

AWIC interviewed different local professionals for an inside look into their work. You can learn more about Home support workers, housekeepers and related occupations (NOC 4412 ) through a detailed Career Profile.

Courtney Coccimiglio is a Personal Support Worker for March of Dimes in Sault Ste. Marie.

What does a typical day look like for you?

Driving to clients homes to assist with activities of daily living such as showers, toileting and meal preps as well as med assists and light housekeeping that may be needed. Friendly visits and socialization is also a very important key for these seniors as many do not leave home often.

What was the education and training needed for your job? Any additional training for your current position?

I graduated from Sault College back in 2004 with my Personal Support Worker diploma, I graduated with honours. We were also required to complete hours at a LTC facility throughout the course. It was a 1 year program.

Why and when did you choose this career? What have you learned since you started?

I chose this career because I love to help people and assist with care that is necessary for them to live their best life!

What skills do you have that make you great at your job?

Friendly and compassionate, patient and hard working, attention to detail.

What is the biggest thing you have learned on the job?

That even small things we take for granted each day matter so much more to people who are not able to complete tasks they used to be able to, with our help we maintain the clients independence and pride.

What is the best part of your job?

The people! My clients are all wonderful people, as well as their families and of course my co- workers, we are all a team! I love to see my clients smile!

What is something challenging about your job?

Sometimes it can be frustrating when we can only do so much and wish we could do more!

What advice would you give to someone interested in pursuing the career?

It isn’t always easy but if you have a deep down love for helping people and you don’t mind working hard it is a very rewarding career! To me it is so much more than just a job!

How would you say COVID-19 has affected your day-today-work? (Job duties, commute, check-in process, etc.)

There are extra screening processes before we report to work and at the end of the day plus we need to screen our clients for changes prior to visits. Lots of extra PPE and masks make it more difficult to communicate with some clients as they cannot see out lips when we talk.

What has it been like to be an essential worker during a world-wide pandemic?

Sometimes it has been scary. You worry about yourself getting sick and bringing home to your family or bringing to a client, I did a lot more online shopping and one designated grocery shopper just to lower the risk. I am fully vaccinated but I still am very careful, good hand hygiene, masks and avoiding large crowds.

Have you experienced loss or personal struggles since the beginning of the pandemic? How have you and your co-workers coped with working through the shut-down?

We were understaffed at some points and we would all pitch in to work double shifts and extras to ensure our clients received the care they deserved

Could you share how being an essential worker during the pandemic has made this more personally fulfilling career?

It gave me the feeling that anything is possible and that we are strong and resilient and just gave me more pride in my job.