Resident Care Associate

DESCRIPTION POSITION SUMMARY

The Resident Care Associate provides the special service and care required to each ALZ / Dementia resident. Provides resident care and program/activity needs to residents while assisting in maintaining a positive physical, nutritional and social environment for the residents, while ensuring they feel safe and purposeful.

POSITION DUTIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Assists residents with activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, transfer, mobility, and continence care while using appropriate modeling and validation techniques. Supports the resident's abilities by understanding that all aspects of care can be viewed as an activity. Supports the resident's family, friends and significant others as ongoing caregivers and members of the Caregiving team. Demonstrates knowledge of the cognitive, physical, behavioral and psychosocial approach to all aspects of dementia by using a sensitive approach to all aspects of resident care. Provides appropriate interventions to maximize the resident's social and ADL functioning. Demonstrates therapeutic conversation and redirection conversation with residents, offering appropriate cues for participation in engagement and dining programs. Encourages residents to participate in daily activity programs. Participates with program staff and residents in daily programs and recreational activities as directed. Initiates programming and activities with residents, leading one-on-one, small group and large group activities. Demonstrates knowledge of residents regarding background, participation needs, physical abilities, interests, cognitive capacity and attention span capability. Participates in service plan updates and introductory visit updates. Serves residents food as directed, following dietary guidelines. Facilitates the Fieldstone Enhanced Dining program and provides snacks and hydration between meals and as needed. Knows and complies with all resident rights. Receives and gives reports of on-going shifts by oral and written shift report. Observes and reports any changes in resident's condition (behavior or health), takes action to ensure safety of the resident and report to supervisor. Checks all residents daily for cleanliness, appropriate clothing, and any continence issues. Uses proper sanitary procedures to wipe tables and sweep dining room and kitchen after meals. Checks on resident rooms daily for general cleanliness and neatness; ensures high risk rooms are double checked. Checks common areas ¾ including bathrooms ¾ for cleanliness. Can measure and accurately record vital signs (temperature, pulse, blood pressure) as directed by nurse. Assists residents with medication per state regulations. Reports resident and family concerns and issues to supervisor. Successfully follows and implements the plan of care. Recognizes and assists in the prevention of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation (financial and other). Recognizes and reports to Program Director or Nurse a resident's change of condition, including needing more time to deliver care due to the aging process. Provides ongoing supervision of residents' health related activities: complies with health care instructions. explained by health care professionals and promptly and appropriately seeks and obtains medical attention when needed. Responds to emergencies and personal emergency response system and knows when to call for backup. Effectively handles difficult resident behaviors. Reacts calmly and effectively in emergency situations. Efficiently documents and provides accurate record-keeping as appropriate. Assures resident information is communicated to the team through the report process and communication log (i.e. appointments, outings, etc.). Documents residents' material needs (i.e. briefs, clothing, toothpaste, pads, etc.) and communicates to family. Accurately completes incident reports prior to the end of shift and reports all incidents to supervisor.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Must possess a current Certified Nursing Assistant in accordance with the Massachusetts State regulations, or a Certified Home Health Aid Certificate. - required