Working as a PSW during the Pandemic Jennifer Cassius is a Personal Support Worker (PSW) and UFCW Local 175 Union Steward at Chartwell Colonial Retirement in Whitby. Jennifer Cassius
PSW & Union Steward at Chartwell Colonial Retirement speaks over a Zoom call about working as a PSW during a pandemic.
Jennifer comes from a family of healthcare workers. Her mother worked for more than 30 years at Centenary Hospital in Scarborough. Her grandmother, who passed away recently, also worked in the same hospital for more than 40 years. She has aunts and uncles in the sector, and her brother is a firefighter. Even her father’s work at a pharmaceutical plant is now part of managing this pandemic as that facility is helping store fridges for the mRNA vaccines. “I love what I do,” says Jennifer. “I was working in retail management but I made the decision to switch to healthcare and become a PSW,” she adds, saying she gets a great return from putting out care and service to residents who appreciate the help. Recently, Jennifer took on the role of Steward at ColoPage 8
Checkout Summer 2021
nial Retirement and enjoys being able to speak up for her co-workers. “I’m able to answer questions and make sure they know what’s going on with what we’re entitled to, and just being that voice for someone. That’s the main reason I became a Steward and I’ve loved it ever since.”
On being a PSW “We call ourselves the Jacks of all Trades,” she says. “We pretty much do everything, especially in the retirement homes.” On a daily basis, Jennifer and the other PSWs at Colonial Retirement are responsible for admitting residents and guests, administering medications under a licensed nurse, doing laundry, cleaning
