Resident Assistant

JOB SUMMARY

The Resident Assistant provides hands-on support and personal care to residents in accordance with individualized care plans and delegated nursing tasks. This role supports daily living needs, engagement, safety, and comfort while promoting dignity, respect, and meaningful experiences. The Resident Assistant may assist with activities, housekeeping, laundry, and meal support depending on community needs. This role does not perform medication delivery.

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES

Resident Care and Daily Living

• Assist residents with bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting, hygiene, mobility, incontinence care, meals, and engagement.
• Provide meal setup, cueing, feeding assistance, and escorting to meals or appointments.
• Support safe transfers and positioning using proper techniques and equipment.
• Assist residents with incontinence care and other personal care needs.

Resident Engagement and Activities

• Encourage resident participation in activities and social opportunities.
• Assist residents in attending activities and events.
• Lead or help facilitate activities when assigned.
• Provide one-to-one engagement for residents unable to join group activities.

Documentation and Communication

• Complete required documentation for medications, care tasks, and observations.
• Communicate changes in condition, safety concerns, or unusual behaviors immediately and according to policy.
• Participate in shift handoffs and provide relevant updates to nursing leadership.

Care Plan and Delegation Compliance

• Follow individualized care plans and seek clarification when needed.
• Perform only tasks delegated by an RN and within allowed scope.
• Communicate concerns or discrepancies in care plans to nursing leadership.

Housekeeping, Laundry, and Meal Support

• Perform basic housekeeping tasks such as tidying rooms, making beds, and cleaning assigned areas.
• Complete resident laundry as assigned.
• Assist with dining room setup, serving, and cleanup when scheduled.

Safety and Monitoring

• Follow all infection control, safety, and emergency procedures.
• Use equipment such as gait belts, lifts, or mobility devices according to training and delegation.
• Maintain resident privacy, confidentiality, and dignity at all times.
• Observe and report changes in condition, behavior, appetite, mobility, or skin integrity immediately and according to policy.
• Perform delegated monitoring tasks such as vitals or weights as assigned by nursing.

Professional Conduct and Training

• Interact with residents, families, and team members in a courteous and respectful manner.
• Maintain professionalism in appearance, communication, and behavior.
• Participate in required meetings or check-ins as assigned.
• Complete required training and competencies prior to working independently.
• Participate in ongoing in-service education and skill development.
• Promote a positive, supportive team culture.

QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to provide hands-on personal care and support.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to engage with residents in a positive and supportive manner.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Must be able to read, write, and communicate effectively in English to complete documentation, follow care plans, and communicate with residents, families, and regulatory agencies, unless reasonable accommodation can be made.
• Ability to work collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams, residents, and families.
• Ability to use electronic systems for documentation and communication
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as scheduled.
• Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, including lifting, transferring, pushing, or pulling up to 75 pounds.
• Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, including mobility throughout the community.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Prior experience in senior living, assisted living, memory care, or long-term care.
• Experience with electronic health records or medication documentation systems.
• Experience working with individuals with cognitive impairment or dementia.

ENVIRONMENT

WORK CONDITIONS

• Works in a resident-centered senior living environment including resident living areas, care spaces, and shared community spaces.
• Experiences moderate activity and noise consistent with group engagement settings.
• May be exposed to bodily fluids, cleaning chemicals, odors, and noise.
• Works primarily on-site; schedule may include evenings, weekends, and holidays based on programming needs.
• Uses electronic systems for documentation, communication, and reporting platforms.
• Works collaboratively with leadership, residents, families, and staff.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Periods of sitting, computer work, and administrative tasks.
• Frequent walking, standing, bending, and movement throughout the community.
• Routine use of hands and fingers for documentation and equipment handling.
• Ability to lift, push, or pull up to 75 pounds.

OTHER DUTIES

This job description outlines the primary expectations of the role. This job description supersedes and cancels all previous position descriptions, schedules, and arrangements as of its effective date. The Resident Assistant may be assigned additional responsibilities as needed to support resident care, engagement, dining, housekeeping, or community operations.

Nothing contained in this job description creates an employment contract or in any way alters the employee's status as an employee at-will.