The Pines Scheduling Optimization Project

Making sure that we have great people on staff to care for your loved one is a top priority. We have been working hard to recruit skilled and caring employees to fill all of our staff rosters. We know that people in healthcare have a lot of choices when it comes to employment and the needs of employees today are different than it was a few years ago. That is why we have been working non-stop with our team in Human Resources and an external expert consultant on recruitment and retention of employees.

We know that many of our current employees and potential applicants are looking for flexible scheduling options that are different than what we currently offer. We have already started implementing the results of this work.

One of the changes included aligning the nursing care team start times and this was done in September. We also trialed 12-hour shifts with a small group of PSW staff in the fall. We have received feedback from the trial and are working on developing scheduling options for the PSW staff.

We will be presenting the new schedules to the PSW staff in the first quarter of 2025 and staff will go through a process of bidding on lines that work best for them. This will cause some changes in the home related to caregivers in specific home areas. We want you to know that we will assist staff and residents with the changes to try and make the disruptions as little as possible and ensure that team members get to know the needs of the residents in the home area that they will be assigned to. Please know that moving forward there will be changes from time to time to help support the resident care for all residents that call the Pines their home. If you have any questions, please connect with a Nursing Leadership Team member.

Kim Sander, DOC, kimberly.sander@muskoka.on.ca

Jennifer Carriere, ADOC, jennifer.carriere@muskoka.on.ca

Natasha Duchno, ADOC, natasha.duchno@muskoka.on.ca