direct care staff

Direct care staff are expected to maintain professional behavior at all times while representing the home and caring for residents.

Staff must:

• Treat all residents with dignity, patience, and respect
• Maintain a calm, supportive, and positive attitude
• Use appropriate language and tone of voice
• Follow all facility policies and procedures
• Maintain professional boundaries with residents and families
• Arrive to work on time and properly dressed
• Remain attentive and engaged during shifts
• Avoid gossip, arguing, or disruptive behavior in the workplace

Resident Care Expectations

Staff are responsible for ensuring the safety, supervision, and well-being of all residents.

Staff must:

• Provide compassionate and person-centered care
• Encourage resident independence when appropriate
• Monitor residents for behavioral, emotional, or medical changes
• Report concerns immediately to supervisors
• Administer or assist with medications only as authorized
• Assist with activities of daily living (ADLs) as required
• Maintain confidentiality regarding resident information
• Protect residents from neglect, abuse, exploitation, or harm

Communication Expectations

Effective communication is essential for quality care and team coordination.

Staff must:

• Communicate respectfully with coworkers, residents, and families
• Report incidents, accidents, and unusual behaviors promptly
• Complete documentation accurately and on time
• Participate in shift reports and team meetings
• Follow chain of command appropriately

Prohibited Behaviors

The following behaviors are strictly prohibited:

• Sleeping during shifts
• Using drugs or alcohol while working
• Verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, or physical aggression
• Neglecting residents
• Excessive cell phone use during working hours
• Sharing confidential resident information
• Falsifying documentation
• Leaving residents unsupervised
• Accepting money or gifts from residents without authorization

Teamwork & Workplace Expectations

Staff are expected to work together to maintain a safe and structured environment.

Staff should:

• Assist coworkers when needed
• Maintain a clean and organized environment
• Participate in required trainings
• Demonstrate accountability and reliability
• Accept supervision and corrective feedback professionally

Safety Expectations

Staff must always prioritize resident and facility safety.

This includes:

• Following emergency procedures
• Reporting hazards immediately
• Monitoring resident whereabouts
• Ensuring doors, medications, and confidential records remain secure
• Maintaining proper staff-to-resident supervision ratios