Unit Helper / Care Aide - Memory Care

Fahrney Keedy

Boonsboro Maryland - near Hagerstown

Care Aide / Unit Helper

Day Shift / alternating weekends

$16.00 -$19.50 plus applicable shift differentials

JOB TITLE

Unit Helper / Care Giver

DEPARTMENT

Assisted Living and Memory Care Unit

REPORTS TO

Director of Assisted Living and/or Delegating RN

FLSA STATUS

Non-exempt

ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE / APPROVAL

Director of Assisted Living

SUMMARY:

Provide care for Assisted Living and Memory Care Unit residents according to their needs.

DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY:

As a Unit Helper, you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibilities and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties.

EMPLOYMENT AT WILL:

Employment with Fahrney Keedy is "at will". Either the associate or Fahrney-Keedy may terminate the employment relationship for any reason at any time without notice, regardless of the length of employment or the granting of benefits of any kind, including but not limited to benefits which provide for vesting based on length of service.

CONFIDENTIALITY:

Fahrney-Keedy associates recognize that Fahrney-Keedy has and will have information regarding financial, personal and medical affairs and other vital information (collectively, "information") which are valuable, special and unique assets of Fahrney-Keedy. Associates agree that they will not at any time or in any manner solicit, collect or divulge any Information to any third party without the prior written consent of Fahrney-Keedy. This information is Company property which may not be disclosed outside the facility unless properly released for publication. Associates will protect the Information and treat it as strictly confidential. Associates should not discuss Fahrney-Keedy affairs with others.

JOB FUNCTION:

Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is an essential function of the position.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Checks residents and their rooms to ensure the safety of the residents and the environment are comfortable.

Answers call bells and if unable to assist the resident in their need, immediately notify the proper staff member.

Provides care in a safe and timely manner, in accordance with Fahrney-Keedy's policies and procedures, according to each resident's level of care and needs, and within the Unit Helper's scope of practice.

Reports any suspected abuse, falls, or changes in condition to the Director of Assisted and Independent Living, Delegating RN.

Assists or complete resident's dental care, dressing/undressing, nail care, hair care, and shaving needs. Ensures residents have eyeglasses, dentures, hearing aids, etc.

Obtains vital signs and weights as required.

Changes bed linens per Fahrney-Keedy's schedule in occupied and unoccupied rooms.

Tidies up resident rooms: (a) puts resident clothing away, (b) arranges personal items so they are within reach of the resident, (c) makes sure the resident's call bell is within easy reach.

Encourages residents to participate in activities programs and provides activities for residents who do not attend group activities. Documents resident's participation.

Transports residents to activities, dining room, beauty shop, etc.

Assists with the distribution of the food trays and set up trays for residents who are independent at mealtime. Assist and coach or cue residents with feeding as needed. Feed any residents who may be unable to feed themselves. Provide clothing protectors for residents to reduce or eliminate clothes from being soiled.

Assists in the removal of food trays at meal completion. Observe percentage of food eaten and record intake.

Changes water pitchers every Friday. Provides ice water three times daily.

Reminds residents of the need to consume liquids and assists as needed. Provide nourishments and snacks to residents. Records intake percentages on Intake & Output.

ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES:

Performs administrative requirements such as completing necessary forms, reports, etc.

Agrees not to disclose assigned user ID codes and passwords for accessing resident/facility information and promptly reports any suspected or known unauthorized access, use, or disclosure of such information.

Develops and maintains a good working rapport with departmental staff as well as other departments to assure that food service can be properly maintained to meet the needs of the residents.

Creates and maintains an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest, and positive emphasis as well as a calm environment.

Log off computer workstations per established policies and procedures.

SAFETY & INFECTION CONTROL:

Follows safety regulations and procedures at all times.

Follows established Infection Control Precautions policies and procedures when performing daily tasks.

Ensures that the department is maintained in a clean and safe manner by assuring that necessary equipment and supplies are maintained.

Reports all hazardous conditions or equipment to the Director of Assisted Living and Delegating RN.

Reports all accidents or incidents to the Director of Assistant Living and Delegating RN when they occur.

Wears protective clothing and equipment when handling infectious waste and/or blood/body fluids.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an associate may encounter while performing the essential duties of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

• Works in well-lighted/ventilated areas. Atmosphere is warm for cooking.
• Moves intermittently during working hours.
• Subject to frequent interruptions.
• Involved with residents, staff visitors, government agencies/staff, etc. under all conditions and circumstances.
• Subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, visitors, etc.
• Communicates with medical, nursing and other department staff and supervisors.
• May work beyond normal working hours and on weekends and holidays when necessary and may work in other positions when necessary.
• Subject to call-back during emergency conditions (i.e., severe weather, evacuation, post disaster, etc.)
• Subject to sudden temperature changes when entering/exiting refrigerator.
• May be exposed to heat/cold temperatures in kitchen and storage areas.
• Subject to handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals.
• Subject to exposure to infectious waste diseases, conditions, etc., including TB, HIV, Hep. B, etc.
• Attends and participates in educational programs.
• Maintains a liaison with other department directors to adequately plan for food services/activities.
• Subject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc. throughout the workday, as well as reactions from dust, disinfectants, and/or other air contaminants.

RESIDENT RIGHTS:

• Maintain the confidentiality of all resident care information including protected health information. Report known or suspected incidents of unauthorized disclosure of such information.
• Ensure that you treat all residents fairly with kindness, dignity, and respect.
• Knock and wait for permission to enter all residents' rooms.
• Report all grievances and complaints made by the residents to the Director of Dietary.
• Report all allegations of resident abuse and/or misappropriation of resident property to the Fahrney-Keedy Abuse Coordinator.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to read, write, speak and understand the English language.
• Must be a supportive team member, contribute to and be an example of teamwork and team concept.
• Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
• Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with staff, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and the general public.
• Must possess the ability and willingness to work harmoniously with other staff.
• Must be able to follow oral and written instructions.
• Must maintain the care and use of supplies, equipment, the appearance of work areas, and perform regular inspections of food service areas for sanitation, order, safety and proper performance of assigned duties.
• Must have patience, tact, a cheerful disposition and enthusiasm, as well as the willingness to handle difficult residents.
• Must be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing nursing practices.
• Must not pose a direct threat to the health and safety of other individuals in the workplace.

EDUCATION

• May possess less than a high school education; however, High School Diploma or GED preferred.

PRIOR/RELATED EXPERIENCE:

• Prior experience in food services desired but not required.
• On-the-job training provided.

PHYSICAL & SENSORY REQUIREMENTS (With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices):

• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.
• Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner.
• Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
• Must be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to ensure that the requirements of this position can be fully met.
• Must function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, staff, and support agencies.
• Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility, which include a medical and physical examination.
• Must be able to relate to and work with the ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and, at times, hostile people within the facility.
• Must be able to push, pull, move and/or lift a minimum of 25 pounds to a minimum height of 5 feet and be able to push, pull, move, and/or carry such weight a minimum distance of 50 feet.
• May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.