Award winner demonstrates respect through individualized care
PSW credits flexibility, communication and understanding as key strengths
MARKHAM, Ont. - When working in the community with a variety of different clients, personal support worker (PSW) Malina Mallick says respect is a broad value that allows her to create meaningful relationships with the people she serves.
Mallick, who works for Preferred Health Care Services, won an Award of Excellence in the category of respect, which she describes as an “umbrella term” that requires different interpretations based on a client’s individual values.
For some clients it has meant greater sensitivity when delivering personal care and for others working around a family member’s schedule to respect their privacy.
Mallick has also learned several languages to accommodate clients in their native tongue, including Spanish, French and Italian.
For Mallick, these gestures have the value-added benefit of instilling trust and creating a bond between herself and the client, which also makes her job more enjoyable.
“It makes them feel more comfortable and the job better and more pleasant,” she says.
Looking at a person as a whole has also helped Mallick excel in her role. She says she aims to be a resource for clients, connecting them with information and services to assist them in their daily living.
For one client, this meant consulting with a physiotherapist and a nursing manager from Preferred Health to learn exercises that would increase the person’s mobility.
Linda Madigan, a Preferred Health Care supervisor, says Mallick’s ability to always put the client first makes her a “wonderful PSW.”
“Clients say she’s been a big help, respects their privacy and goes above and beyond,” says Madigan, adding it was clients who wrote letters to nominate her for the award. “She is just a joy to have on our team.”
Mallick accepted the Award of Excellence during a special ceremony Nov. 8 at the Hilton Suites in Markham. Her mother, who has a disability and is the inspiration behind Mallick becoming a PSW, was also in attendance.
Macquarie Capital Funds, which owns both Leisureworld and Preferred Health Care Services, sponsored the first annual Award of Excellence to recognize employees who exemplify the company's core values of communication, commitment, learning, teamwork and respect.
Winners of an Award of Excellence received a plaque, a $1,000 honorarium and a $500 donation to the registered charity of their choice.
There were 37 nominations for the respect category.
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