Our philosophy of wellness encompasses staff as well as our residents because we believe that the quality of working life is positively influenced by job satisfaction and the overall health and well being of our employees. We support each employee’s own commitment to lifelong learning as part of the intellectual dimension of our wellness model. We believe that continued staff development will result in greater job satisfaction and more highly skilled employees who can provide the highest quality of care to our residents.

Specialty Care is committed to the fundamental principles of equal employment opportunity. We are committed to treating people fairly, with respect and dignity, and to offer equal employment opportunities based upon an individual’s qualifications and performance – free from discrimination or harassment.

Each year we embark on a survey of all our employees. Once the survey is completed a town hall meeting is held at every location between employees and company leaders to discuss the outcomes of the survey and our collective opportunities for improvement.

Our employees tell us why they like working for us:

• Culture
• Career Development
• Communication
• Values
• Training
• Employee Guiding Principles
• Satisfaction survey

Thanks to these surveys and meetings we have implemented multiple improvements over the years most recently the Employee Assistance Program and the Quality of Work Life committees at every location.

In keeping with our commitment to employee wellness, our values as well as maintaining a safe and healthy work environment, Specialty Care has a confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Supporting employees and their immediate families in times of need is important to us. We recognize that some employees may, at times, be faced with a personal, family or work-related problem and would benefit from counselling.

In addition to counselling services we, in partnership with Shepell.fgi, will provide new opportunities for you to connect to better health and well-being through work-life services such as e-counselling, online support programs, a virtual wellness library, healthy living newsletters and wellness educational seminars.

Joyce Leslie was a valued colleague and long standing Administrator and Director of Resident Care with Specialty Care, first at Brewer’s Nursing Home in Picton and then at The Rosewood Retirement Home in Kingston. Sadly she passed away after a long and painful battle with cancer and this award seeks to remember what she stood for and to provide opportunities for others to grow professionally and personally.

We celebrate her career at Specialty Care through a special Memorial Scholarship fund to be awarded each year to a person who demonstrates the same passion for nursing to seniors.

At Specialty Care we believe that anyone working in the geriatric field needs to continually upgrade their skills and education in order to provide the highest quality of care to our residents. Based on our policy and providing the employee meets the requirements, we will subsidize your tuition as you seek advancement of your education in a relevant post secondary course leading to a degree, diploma or certificate.

You invest in you and we’ll invest in you!

Specialty Care believes in hiring talented, competent staff who can demonstrate excellence in providing personalized and individual care and services to our residents. We employ persons who possess energy and a positive outlook; empathy for the unique needs of our residents and families; pride and integrity in their work, as well as an interest in further developing their skills and knowledge.

Employees are encouraged to maintain a continuous improvement approach to their employment, including:

• A commitment to innovative teamwork
• A commitment to continually learn new techniques, ideas and approaches to improve job performance and enhance the care given to residents
• An ongoing upgrading of our understanding of frail or memory impaired seniors and others with special care needs
• A commitment to total customer service and satisfaction
• A flexible, open-minded attitude towards lifelong learning and new ideas
• A commitment to maintain proof of required level of education, level of professional skill or experience for the position