Description

JOB SUMMARY

The primary responsibility of this position is to provide direct care to residents, as well as assist them with activities of daily living, while maintaining resident safety and comfort. In addition, this position provides assistance to professional nursing staff.

JOB DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

The following job responsibilities will comply with the ADA and any/all applicable state and federal laws. Duties and responsibilities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

•  Responsible for understanding and consistently following the principles of the Happy to Oblige (H to O) program.
•  Follow No Lift Protocol.
•  Assist transport/escort residents into the dining room for meal service as indicated on resident service plan.
•  Change beds/linens when soiled.
•  Assist with serving meals restaurant style in dining room.
•  Supervise resident medications as instructed on resident service plan.
•  May measure and record residents’ heights and weights.
•  Care for incontinent residents as indicated on resident service plan.
•  Assist residents in all activities of daily living (dressing, bathing, grooming, etc.)
•  Assist residents with keeping apartments clean at all times and personal belongings in orderly arrangement.
•  Assist with development and review of the lifestyle plan.
•  Ensure resident privacy, respect and dignity.
•  Assist in orientation of new resident caregivers.
•  Participate in in-service training and monthly team meetings.
•  Exhibit and perform proper hand washing techniques.
•  Maintain proper infection control procedures when handling clothing and linens.
•  Detect, correct, and report to the Wellness Coordinator any unsafe conditions which may result in bodily injury.
•  Read log book and be informed of changes to residents at the beginning of each shift.
•  Document changes in condition or increase/decrease in services.
•  Provide maximum resident care services to assure well-being of resident to greatest degree.
•  Execute duties and responsibilities in conformance with established routine and schedules.
•  Assure physical comfort, safety, and mental well-being of residents.
•  Assist in daily requirements and tasks in care and treatment of residents such as toileting, grooming, bathing, dressing, care of hair and nails, transporting, responding to emergency response system.
•  Detect and correct situations that have a probability of causing accidents or injuries to residents.
•  Observe and report symptoms, reactions, and changes of residents to Wellness Coordinator.
•  Promptly answer the emergency response system (code alert).
•  Encourage, escort and motivate residents to participate in recreational activities.
•  Foster self-respect and esteem by recognizing, accepting, and respecting those entrusted to his/her care.
•  Assist with housekeeping duties (removing trash, mopping floor, etc.) As indicated on service plan.
•  Report losses of, and damage to, residents laundry.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

•  Occasional exposure to blood/body fluids as required to meet resident needs.
•  Frequent exposure to microbial bacteria and other infectious agents inherent to care of ill residents.
•  Frequent exposure to chemical compounds of medication and treatments.
•  Continuous exposure to hazardous chemicals such as disinfectants, cleansers, soap, etc. as identified by MSDS manual.
•  Continuous exposure to plastic and/or materials which are used for personal protective equipment.
•  Occasional exposure to bodily injuries due to unpredictable behaviors of residents.
•  Occasional exposure to loud and unpleasant noises due to unpredictable behaviors of residents.
•  Seasonal exposure to high humidity due to residents’ option to control their environment.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

•  High school diploma or equivalent required.
•  State of Illinois Nurse Aide certification required or has met the State of Illinois Department of Public Health waiver standards designating him or her a qualified Nurse Aide by virtue of past training, employment history, and on the job experience.
•  Required attendance of in-services and online training required to maintain certification.
•  1-2 years of experience in geriatric care setting, nursing home or other related health care facility preferred.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES

•  Time management and organizational skills.
•  Attention to detail in record keeping and in resident care; ability to observe and assess resident needs.
•  Ability to follow set rules and protocol and take direction.
•  Enjoy working with older people, have a caring attitude and sincere interest in others; alert to attitudes and feelings of residents.
•  Computer literacy a must.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

•  Lifts and carries light objects such as resident charts, thermometers, linen, resident care treatment items, appliances, etc., ranging from less than 10 to 50 pounds without assistance.
•  Stand or walk up to 90 percent of assigned shift to provide resident care and assistance.
•  Perform tasks which require hand-eye coordination such as recording resident weights, temperature taking, adjusting bathtub temperature setting, etc.
•  A sense of balance is required to safely transfer residents from one area to another, such as chair or wheelchair.
•  Able to wear gloves and other protective equipment.
•  Clear speech, reading and hearing skills are required continuously to comprehend and communicate with residents and co-workers, to follow written plans of care and respond to emergency alarms.
•  Requires ability to identify residents, code alert, unusual occurrences, at a distance of 50 feet.
•  Requires ability to read small print in typed and written materials, thermometers, observe changes in resident's condition, etc.
•  Concentrates on moderate detail with some interruptions necessary to perform variety of tasks related to nursing.
•  Comprehend oral and written instructions.
•  Memory capable of remembering task/assignment ranging from a few hours to long periods of time.