What are the responsibilities and job description for the Feeding Assistant position at Westview Healthcare Center?
Paid feeding assistants provide dining assistance only for residents with no complicated feeding problems. Complicated feeding problems include difficulty swallowing, recurrent lung aspirations and tube or parenteral IV feedings.
- Residents are assessed for appropriateness for the feeding assistant program by the interdisciplinary team, taking into consideration the most recent assessment and plan of care.
- Only residents who have been selected by the interdisciplinary team are eligible for feeding assistance by a paid feeding assistant.
- Paid feeding assistants must successfully complete a state approved training course taught by qualified professionals (as defined by state law) before being permitted to feed residents.
- Our facility's state approved training program consists of eight (8) hours of training in the following topics:
- Feeding techniques;
- Assistance with feeding and hydration;
- Communication and interpersonal skills;
- Appropriate responses to resident behavior;
- Safety and emergency procedures, including the Heimlich maneuver;
- Infection control;
- Resident rights; and
- Recognizing changes in residents that are inconsistent with their normal behavior and the importance of reporting those changes to the supervisory nurse.
- In conjunction with the facility's registered dietitian (RD), an RN will oversee the Feeding Assistant Training Program to ensure that feeding techniques are taught correctly.
- Our facility's paid feeding assistants will work under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN) or a licensed practical nurse (LPN). Specifically, the supervising nurse will monitor paid feeding assistants for:
- The use of appropriate feeding techniques;
- Whether they are assisting the resident according to his/her identified eating and drinking needs;
- Whether they are respecting the resident's rights and dignity; and
- Adherence to infection control and safe food handling practices.
- The use of paid feeding assistants is not intended to substitute for nursing staff.
- In the case of an emergency, the paid feeding assistant shall call the nurse supervisor through the resident call system. continues on next page © 2001 MED PASS, Inc. (Revised October 2017)
- Paid feeding assistants will report or record resident intake after each meal, and report changes in eating patterns to the RN and/or RD.
- The administrative office will maintain a record of each individual's completion of the Feeding Assistant Training Course and a record of all individuals used as paid feeding assistants.
- Any staff who has successfully completed the Feeding Assistant Training Program may feed residents.
- Inquiries concerning our facility's use of paid feeding assistants should be referred to the Director of Nursing Services or to the Administrator.
