Activity Therapy Aide/Cook

Dodge County offers a generous benefits package including:

• Paid Time Off (PTO) – available for use after 30 days of employment
• 10 observed paid holidays
• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA) – with employer contributions - HRA
• Life insurance, Long-term disability, Short-term disability and Flex spending
• Participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) – an exceptional pension plan with employer match (upon vesting) and lifetime retirement payment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

1. Guides residents to participate in recreational activities, is the lead person and delegates staff assisting with tasks, assists with sensory programs, exercise programs and projects to best meet residents’ person-centered life enrichment needs along with providing active treatment per regulations.
2. Arranges and provides transportation for community group/individual outings, social activities, plans special meals, plans/schedules/organizes special events and entertainment for the household. Develops monthly calendars for activities planned.
3. Transports residents to and from activities and other functions as required.
4. Decorates household to assist with resident reality orientation/holidays/seasons and assists with researching/purchasing approved items for household.
5. Assists residents with purchasing/researching getting items that they need/wish to have.
6. Makes routine contact with residents by visiting with them, assisting them with making cards/letters for families and needed online shopping, etc.
7. Schedules movies in house, planning parties, and providing games/activities for residents.
8. Encourages residents to participate in available programs.
9. Works with individuals on goals in their Individual Service Plan (ISP) and reports progress for charting.
10. Maintains documentation of resident attendance at activities, estimated amount of time each participated.
11. Assists and promotes independence with cares (including personal hygiene); ambulation and accessing the community.
12. Functions as an integral member of the team providing appropriate interventions during medical, behavioral, and/or facility emergencies.
13. Provides personal hygiene including bathing (tub, shower, bed bath), oral care, skin and nail care and hand washing.
14. Completes resident grooming including hair care, shaving, dressing and weighing. Encourages residents toward independent personal care.
15. Assists with toileting including bowel and bladder retraining and perinea care.
16. Performs and assists with mobility, transferring, ambulation, positioning, and range of motion per the care plan.
17. Reports accurately all cares given, including dietary intake and output, temperature, weight, blood pressure pulse and respiration, using approved abbreviations and descriptive terms.
18. Serves residents their meals; motivates and assists them with intake of nourishment and fluids.
19. Participates in the planning of resident care through shift reports and resident care staffing meetings when assigned.
20. Informs verbally and/or submit in writing any observations and changes in a resident for the supervisor to evaluate, including dietary intake.
21. Encourages/assist, residents in keeping their rooms clean and orderly.
22. Maintains household in a clean and orderly manner.
23. Keeps all residents’ personal belongings and equipment clean.
24. Ensures all residents’ possessions are properly labeled as needed.
25. Responds to resident emergency including bleeding, falls, seizures, and performance of CPR and Heimlich maneuver.
26. Performs housekeeping and laundry responsibilities as needed.
27. Assists with the training and orientation of new Household Assistants.
28. Provides backup assistance to Household Assistants and other department personnel as needed.
29. Other duties as assigned.

Additional duties when assigned Cook duties in a Household

1. Prepares and portions food on menu in appropriate quantities and according to resident diets and preferences.

2. Tracks/updates resident diet changes for accuracy of food production.

3. Maintains high standards of food production and sanitation.

4. Keeps work areas and equipment clean and in compliance with regulatory codes.

5. Assists with prepping future meals as needed.

REQUIRED JOB COMPETENCIES

• Knowledge of PPE and its proper use for personal safety measures.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of all resident care information and assure resident rights and privacy are protected at all times per HIPAA.
• Knowledge of chemicals used in housekeeping and laundry services including hazardous laundry chemicals and isolation procedures.
• Ability to create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth and personal interest as well as a clean environment.
• Ability to work tactfully and cooperatively with residents, families, visitors, and entire staff throughout the organization.
• Ability to verbally communicate with residents, families, the public, and other members of the organization.
• Must be able to exhibit a warm, cheerful, caring manner.
• Must be able to safely perform the essential job functions.

• Ability to interpret and implement local policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence; Federal, State, and local regulations.
• Skill in organizational and time management to prioritize duties to accomplish a high volume of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority.
• Ability to perform detailed work accurately and independently in compliance with stringent time limits requiring minimal direction and supervision.
• Ability to think quickly, maintain self-control, and adapt to stressful situations.
• Knowledge of computer software including word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications consistent for this position.
• Ability to perform mathematical calculations required of this position.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate and concise records and reports.
• Ability to apply sound judgment and discretion in performing duties, resolving problems, and interpreting policies and regulations.
• Ability to communicate detailed and often sensitive information effectively and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to handle sensitive interpersonal situations calmly and tactfully.
• Ability to maintain professionalism at all times.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to work the allocated hours of the position and respond after hours as needed.

PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 75 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and reaching with hands and arms.
• Work has standard vision requirements.
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
• Hearing is required to perceive information in moderately loud conditions.
• Work frequently requires exposure to bloodborne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment and occasionally requires exposure to fumes or airborne particles.
• May work in any area of the facility.
• May be subject to exposure to infectious wastes, diseases, and medical conditions.

Dodge County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.       

If you are a job seeker with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to apply for one of our jobs, you will find the contact information to request the appropriate accommodation by visiting the following page: Accessibility Accommodation for Applicants