CORRECTION to APTS Staff 2025 Vacation Requests

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To: All Apartments Staff
From: Staffing
Date: October 11, 2024
Re: CORRECTION to APTS Staff Vacation Requests                  

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Menno Apartments staff received their vacation package on October 10th.

VACATION REQUESTS for Apartments staff do not need to be requested through the GoldCare portal yet as Apartments staff are in the process of being added to that system.

Please Note:

  • Please return your completed package to the staffing office as soon as possible.
  • Staffing requires 7 days’ notice for time off requests.
  • Short notice time off requests (less than 7 days) must be approved by the department Manager. If approved by the Manager please forward to Staffing.
  • ALL 2025 vacation must be taken by December 31, 2025
  • 2025 vacation cannot be carried over and used in 2026.
  • Part time staff please note that vacation hours are approximate. Final calculations will be done at the end of June 2025.
  • Maximum number of staff off on vacation per day will vary depending on department and operational requirements.
  • This is a good time to update personal information as well. Please ensure we have your most recent phone number and address on file.

Claire Colvin – Communications – Staff Prayer Oct 10

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Shawna lead our prayer time with a devotional out of Nehemiah chapter 8 and we prayed for Claire Colvin and the Communications team.

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Upcoming Improvements to Staff Scheduling

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We are excited to announce that Menno Place will be implementing a new staff scheduling software system in early spring 2025. In alignment with our focus on wellness, the software will allow staff to report sick time sooner, fill open shifts faster, and reduce the need for units to work short.

The Pilot Project

There are many scheduling software options on the market so we will be running a three-month pilot project to see which solution works best for Menno Place staff in our healthcare environment. The teams involved in the pilot project are:

  • Menno Home Housekeeping
  • Menno Hospital Housekeeping
  • Apartments Care Staff

Starting in mid-September these teams will test four different software options over weekday, weekend, and overnight shifts. The teams will provide feedback on ease of use, accuracy of reporting and other factors. A decision on which software we will use will occur in early December.

How will this affect the rest of the staff?

For now, nothing changes. Staff not directly involved in the pilot project will continue to follow all current scheduling procedure and protocols. There will be clear announcements and an onboarding process when the new system is put in place in 2025.

How Will This Affect the Staffing Team?

This new software will lighten the load for the existing staffing team allowing them to prioritize their time on filling the most critical shifts as needed and increased efficiency in other areas.

We want to thank the staffing team for all of the work that has gone into running the schedules using our current tools. We also want to extend our thanks to the care teams and nursing staff who have worked short in the past. We hope this new tool, once implemented, will make your work more manageable.

HCAs Attended the Hearts and Hands Conference

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The Hearts and Hands Conference for healthcare assistants, presented by SafeCare BC, took place in Langley on Oct 2. The conference celebrates healthcare assistants while also providing education on navigating mental health, dealing with grief, and practical ways to support those living with dementia with their activities of daily living.

Speaking about the conference, Tonya Neufeld, HCA in Menno Hospital said, “The feedback was so positive. They all felt that they learned something and were truly appreciated.” 

We’re delighted that a number of our Menno Place care aides were able to attend!

Cyber Month week 2: The Most Resourceful Generation

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Every generation needs the right tools to succeed, especially when it comes to staying safe online. Becoming part of Generation Cyber Safe means getting familiar with the tools and resources needed to protect yourself from cyber threats. This is a great time to talk to the Gen Zs in your life, as 88% of this generation uses tools like multi-factor authentication  (MFA) regularly! Here are some of the topics for this week.

Anti-virus protection

Anti-virus software  is one of the best ways to protect your computer against viruses and malware . It works by scanning your devices to detect, identify and remove malicious files. Some anti-virus software  can also warn you of malicious websites and monitor suspicious program behaviours. Discover how to choose the right anti-virus software for your needs.

Automatic updates

Keeping your operating system and software updated is one of the easiest ways to protect your devices and your information from cyber threats. Updates fix security issues and add new features that allow you to get more out of your device. Find out why enabling automatic updates for all software on your devices can make cyber safety even easier.

Virtual private network (VPN)

A virtual private network (VPN) is a secure connection between your device and the internet. A VPN provides you with additional security and privacy while you’re online by securing and encrypting your data. This can be helpful when you’re connecting to an unsecured network , like the free Wi-Fi  at your favourite coffee shop. Discover how and why a VPN is a critical tool to help you get cyber safe.

Cyber security awareness training

Cyber security awareness and training is important at home, school and work. You can become a cyber champion by encouraging challenges or activities that get everyone involved – like seeing who can report the most scam emails in a month. This week, be sure to look into cyber security training resources like the Cyber Centre’s free online training course.

Malware and ransomware

Malware, or malicious software, is a common method that cyber criminals use to infect systems and devices. Ransomware is a form of malware that infects your computer or device and locks you out of accessing the system and files. Cyber criminals will trick you into downloading ransomware  by disguising links or downloadable files to look legitimate. Find out about the methods and tools you can use to protect yourself.

Conclusion

The right tools and training can help you become part of Generation Cyber Safe! Learn more about anti-virus  protection, automatic updates, VPNs and how to protect yourself from threats like malware and ransomware.

All Nursing Staff: Please take Palliative Care Survey

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To: All Nursing Staff – Menno Home, Menno Hospital and the Apartments
From: Loveleen Sekhon
Date: October 7, 2024
Re: The Palliative Care Survey

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Lara, a Palliative Nurse Educator, will be working with Menno Place temporarily to help improve our Palliative Care Approach. As part of this initiative, we are conducting a survey to gather valuable feedback from nurses on how we can enhance our palliative care practices.

Please take a moment to complete the survey using the link below. We would appreciate it if you could complete the survey by October 15, 2024. Your insights are essential to us as we work together to improve the quality of care we provide:
https://forms.gle/zhmcPQJQ4XVBtjGQ9

If you have any questions or additional suggestions regarding palliative care, feel free to reach out to me at loveleen.sekhon@mennoplace.ca

Message from Lara:

Hello, I’m Lara, and I’m excited to collaborate with the team to make a meaningful impact. My palliative care journey began as a bedside nurse, where I saw firsthand the profound effects of compassionate care on patients and their families. These experiences deepened my commitment to holistic care, focusing on both comfort and dignity. I am also passionate about supporting the clinical team, as your dedication and expertise are crucial for providing exceptional care. I look forward to sharing my experience and enthusiasm with you as we work together to deliver outstanding palliative care to our residents and their families.

Garry Janzen – Life Enrichment Menno Home & Hospital – Staff Prayer Oct 3

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Kerry Dyck lead our prayer time with a devotional out of Philippians 1 and we prayed for Garry Janzen, Life Enrichment Coordinator for Menno Home & Hospital.

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Cyber Month week 1: The Most Secure Generation

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October is Cyber Security Awareness Month in Canada and this year we’re ushering in a new generation: Generation Cyber Safe.

Online security affects all Canadians, regardless of what year they were born. That’s why this year’s theme, Generation Cyber Safe, celebrates the unique strengths each of us has when it comes to staying safe online. This generation is all about attitude: being committed to keeping yourself secure online and making the internet a safe place for everyone.

Being a part of Generation Cyber Safe means understanding the importance of securing your accounts – which is something that 95% of Baby Boomers are leading the way in! This week, we’re exploring the various ways to improve your account security. Here are some topics we’re covering during week one:

Strong passwords and passphrases

Passwords and passphrases are your first line of defence when it comes to protecting your accounts. This week, find out how to create strong and unique passwords and passphrases for your accounts and why it’s so important. To get started, make sure your passwords are at least 12 characters long and include random numbers and characters. Your passphrases should be at least 15 characters long and include four or more random words.

Password managers

Creating (and remembering) strong and unique passwords and passphrases for each of your accounts can feel overwhelming. Password  managers can help! Learn how to choose the best password manager for you and how password managers can save you time and effort when it comes to account security.

Multi-factor authentication (MFA)

Multi-factor authentication  (MFA) adds an extra layer of security to your accounts by requiring a second form of verification in addition to your password or passphrase . This can be a PIN, a biometric (like a fingerprint or facial recognition) or an object you own, like a token. Be sure to enable MFA whenever possible to improve your account security.

Credential Stuffing

Credential stuffing is an automated cyber attack  that uses stolen credentials  from one website to gain unauthorized access to other accounts sharing the same username, email and password combination. It’s one of the main reasons why you should use unique passwords and passphrases for each of your accounts. Using unique passwords, MFA and password managers can help prevent these attacks.

Limiting the information that you share online

Cyber criminals are experts at stealing information. One of the ways they do this is by looking at your social media  accounts or searching information about you online, like discovering where you work and who you’re connected with online. Limiting the information that you share online can help to avoid your accounts from getting compromised.

Conclusion

Join Generation Cyber Safe by learning how to secure your accounts with MFA, password managers, strong passwords and passphrases and more. We’ll have more tips each week this month.

Kim Scott – DOC Menno Home – Staff Prayer Sept 26

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Ann Thakkar lead our time time with a devotional out of Proverbs 3:5-8 and we prayed for Kim Scott, DOC for Menno Home.

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