Community Caregiver

BETHESDA

NORTH POINTE COMMUNITY CAREGIVER

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB SUMMARY: To provide a safe and pleasant home like atmosphere, emphasizing the tenant’s individuality while observing any changes in behavior and physical needs. Responsibilities include home management tasks and services, life enrichment experiences, personal care for residents’ and delegated nursing services designed to maintain the residents’ physical and emotional wellbeing.

JOB RELATIONSHIPS:

 A. Reports to: Clinical Nurse Supervisor, Director.

B. Secondary reporting to: RN, LPN.

C. Interrelationships with: Culinary, Housekeeping, Maintenance, Activities.

 D. External Contacts: Visitors, Families, and Delivery Persons.

HOURS OF WORK: Full-time or part-time positions. Day Shift, Evening Shift, and Overnights. 

DRESS CODE: Nursing scrubs.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: Minimum qualifications necessary 

1. Training: Graduate of a recognized nursing assistant program and in good standing with the Minnesota NA/registry; or successful completion of our agency’s orientation and training program for unlicensed personnel and has been determined competent to provide services and follow our agency’s procedures by our RN.
2. Experience: None, previous health care or geriatric experience desirable.
3. Personal:
   1. Passion for having a meaningful impact on the lives of others.
   2. Adaptability and flexibility in dealing with changing situations and in ability to remain calm when dealing with residents and their families, with a positive and pleasant manner and kind tone of voice. 
   3. Ability to demonstrate good judgment and observation skills.
   4. Ability to effectively communicate with peers and supervisors and residents.
   5. Ability to deal tactfully and compassionately with residents, their family members, other staff and to exhibit good customer service skills at all times.
   6. Ability to read, write, comprehend and follow verbal and written instructions, including medical terminology. 
   7. Ability to work independently and to use good problem-solving skills.
   8. Ability to meet the physical demands of the position, with or without accommodation.
   9. Ability to work flexible times, including weekends, evenings and holidays. 
   10. Experience in working with older adults. Previous experience in a hospital, nursing home or home care agency preferred. 
   11. Must be dependable and punctual, with a good attendance record.
   12. Must follow building dress code, maintain good personal hygiene and grooming.
   13. Must be able to prioritize and organize work effectively and efficiently.
   14. Must work as a team member with other personnel, the LPN and RN.
   15. Ability to follow directions accurately and perform assigned and/or delegated tasks.
   16. Willingness to learn and adapt to changing environments and job functions.
4. Other Requirements
   1. Must receive a “not disqualified” criminal background result from Department of Human Services and may not be on the OIG exclusions list.
   2. Must be screened for TB.
   3. High school diploma or GED preferred.
   4. Must adhere to Bethesda’s corporate compliance, policies, and procedures.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Work hours as assigned, scheduled, or mutually agreed upon. Occasionally called upon to work on short notice.
2. While performing duties of this job, employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers to examine residents, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. In addition, the job requires walking, bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, kneeling, reaching overhead and lifting up to 50 pounds.
3. Must have adequate vision and hearing necessary to perform job functions.

RESPONSIBLITIES, DUTIES:

1. Assist the client with personal cares as identified in the assignment sheet/client care plan. These cares may include all or some of the following: assisting with dressing, grooming and oral cares; shampooing of hair; assisting with showering or bathing; rubbing with lotions; fingernail cares and foot cares if instructed to do so by an RN; redirection of a confused client, and other cares as assigned.
2. Assisting the client in the use of the commode, urinal, toilet and with adult incontinence products as assigned.
3. Assisting with ambulation and transfers, including proper use of a transfer belt and assistive devices and proper body mechanics to avoid injury. 
4. Assist in use of hearing aids and glasses for residents.
5. Medication reminders, assistance or administration as delegated by RN.
6. Prepare meals as directed, following special meal plans if instructed.
7. Take and record temperature, blood pressure, pulse and respiration as instructed. Report changes or concerns to RN.
8. Take and record blood glucose levels as instructed. Report changes or concerns to RN.
9. Assist tenant with insulin injections as instructed. Report changes or concerns to RN. 
10. Notify RN of any complaints or concerns raised by the client or the client’s family or representative. 
11. Help each client to reach and maintain his/her highest level of performance and independence. Must promote residents’ independence, not dependence, by offering choices and fostering self-help skills. 
12. Establish rapport with residents, lead residents in activities as assigned and provide socialization and companionship to residents while performing assigned tasks.
13. Assist with treatments as delegated the Register Nurse according to the client’s individualized care plan or with therapy tasks as assigned by a licensed health professional.
14. Observe client and report to the LPN or RN changes in the client’s physical and emotional condition, such as change in attitude, appearance, loss of appetite, weight, etc.
15. Assist co-workers with daily responsibilities when needed.
16. Organize and prioritize assigned work during scheduled shift to complete assigned tasks. 
17. Is responsible for taking adequate supplies or equipment to the residents’ home that are needed to complete the assigned tasks. 
18. Document services provided accurately and consistent with agency policies and complete all required paperwork in a timely and legible manner. 
19. Attend required in-service training—at least 8 hours for every 12 months of employment as well as staff meetings and other agency events.
20. Follow agency procedures for universal precautions when performing assigned tasks. 
21. Maintain a clean environment for residents. Dust, vacuum, mop and other household chores as scheduled and assigned
22. Assist with life enrichment experiences that engage the tenant’s mind, body or spirit. Lead and/or coordinate activities as directed. 
23. Self-initiate engagement in life enrichment experiences.
24. Provide individual life enrichment experiences as directed. 
25. Use validation techniques and/or appropriate diversion activities when dealing with residents with dementia. 
26. Follow agency dress code and wear name tag while at work and maintain good personal hygiene and grooming.
27. Follow agency policies regarding safety rules and requirements and report any issues or concerns about your safety or any injuries immediately to the LPN or RN.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

1. Primary responsibilities will be conducted in Bethesda North Pointe’s housing-with-services establishment areas that are clean, well-lit, climate-controlled areas such as client apartments, hallways, work rooms, client dining area and meeting rooms and/or potential to serve in client homes.
2. Exposure to body fluids, infection, odors and behavior of residents that may be aggressive, combative or demanding.
3. The noise is usually moderate.
4. Exposure to chemical and respiratory hazards is possible.

EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP

• This position is at “at will” position and the employee and employer are free to sever the relationship at any time with or without cause. A minimum of 14 days’ notice of the intent to resign is requested for this position.