I have worked as a Senior Healthcare Assistant in Ireland for 16 years. I now live in Kitchener. In Ontario, I qualified as a Personal Support Worker in August 2023 at Conestoga College. I already have a year-long qualification in Healthcare Support (this has been verified by WES as being equivalent to a Canadian College level certificate [one year] – Major in Healthcare Support). My most recent employment in healthcare support was working with the Religious Sisters of Charity, in Dublin, Ireland. I worked every weekend (and sometimes during the week), looking after 12 elderly nuns from 7.30PM to 7.30AM, on my own. My responsibilities were in providing the sisters with medication, help with toileting or cleaning, some light food in the evenings, and preparing and serving all of the breakfasts. I had to do continual routine checks on the sisters during the night, and often I sat with some of the sisters who may have had disturbed sleep or who may have been disoriented or confused due to dementia or Alzheimer’s. My work was about meeting physical care needs, but it was more importantly and fundamentally about being compassionate and providing kindness, respect, and dignity to each person that I encountered. In this way, it was a labour of love. I thoroughly enjoyed my work with the Religious Sisters of Charity and I was well regarded, and well thought of. I was a committed worker and one who could work independently but also who could be a good team member. During my 16 years as a Senior Healthcare Assistant in Ireland, I also gained experience of working in two nursing homes (one of these for nine years), and I have considerable experience of working on a one-to-one basis with a number of private clients in their homes – for hours during the day, for nights and on a full-time live-in basis. Most of these clients had dementia or Alzheimer’s and I found that I was trusted by family members to care for an elderly parent and run the household (including care, shopping, meal preparation, and finances). I have also been at funerals, when the people I have worked with have died (and prior to that I have been with clients at hospital appointments). I know that I meet the requirements in terms of a healthcare qualification, having a clear Vulnerable Sector Police Check within the last 6 months, having a clear current TB Skin Test, having up to date Covid vaccinations (including te bivalent vaccination received in Canada), having completed relevant courses regarding care of elderly people, and having significant experience of working with elderly people, in their homes and in residential settings. In addition, having spent time working with the Religious Sisters of Charity, I feel that I have a good appreciation of working in a faith-based setting. I know how important spiritual reflection can be to people in situations of care or in the working relationships that I have had with them (for example, if a person wishes to speak of spiritual needs or feelings, I am comfortable to be with the person for this). I have quite a good amount of availability, and I am eligible to work more than 20 hours per week in Canada.

Work Experience 1. Home Managed Family Care program, looking after an elderly lady, in her home, who had dementia. I was involved in working with the Palliative Care Team towards the end of her life. 2.Prior to coming to Canada in 2022, I worked in Ireland for 17 years in a variety of care settings – including long term care homes, private homes caring for people with Alzheimer’s dementia, Parkinsons, or challenging behaviour, and in a care facility for religious sisters. 3.I am currently working in an Assisted Living Facility in Kitchener, Ontario, where I have been working for the past year

Qualification 1. In Ireland, I qualified as a Healthcare Assistant, following a one year training course. HealthCare Assistant is the equivalent of Personal support Worker in Ireland. 2. In Ontario, I qualified as a Personal Support Worker in August 2023. 3. I have a number of additional qualifications such as a. Fundamentals of Hospice Palliative Care (Core) b. Gentle Persuasive Approaches in Dementia Care c. Basic Life Support (HCP) d. First Aid & CPR/AED Level C e. Infection Control - Back to Basics f. Sonas Licensed Practitioner (Person centred Dementia care) g. The Practical Management of Parkinson’s Disease h. “Restrictive Practises in Behaviours that Challenge” (Concentrating on physical and i. environmental restraint and break away techniques in physically challenging situations) j. Continence products training session