Resident Assistant

SUMMARY OF POSITION: Responsible for providing hands on assistance to tenants ,as needed, with daily living activities, to include health, personal care, lifestyles and care management. Ensure tenants physical and psychological needs are cared for within the limits of their ability. Perform specific duties and services needed by the tenant. Under the direction and supervision of Service Manager, and/or licensed nurse, perform all tasks as assigned.

Tenant Services:

• Answer and respond immediately to tenant calls.
• Assist tenants with their activities of daily living including but not limited to showering, bathing and/or toilet needs including attending to tenants who are incontinent.
• Assist with tenant activities as needed.
• Assist with meals in the dining room.
• Ensure that dining room is cleaned after each meal service.
• Assist with cleaning and tidying tenants’ rooms/apartments.
• Assist with or do tenants’ personal laundry as needed.
• Establish and maintain good relationship with tenants and their families.
• Ensure that all systems for providing and tracking tenant care, specifically all forms in the medication binder, are completed in accordance with the residence policies and procedures.
• Observe tenants for emotional, behavioral, and physical changes in condition including, but not limited to any changes in mood, skin integrity, bowel and bladder status, food/fluid intake, speech, ambulation and transfer ability and promptly report any changes in tenant condition to Resident Care Coordinator or Nurse.
• Assist tenants with transportation coordination to medical appointments and other transportation as needed and assure tenant punctuality for scheduled appointments and van rides.
• Respond to medical emergencies calmly and promptly in accordance with established policies and procedures. Make emergency calls to 911.
• Attend staff and tenant care planning meetings and in-services as required.

Medication Duties:

• Assist with medication and/or treatment administration under the direction of facility RN.
• Assist with medications as described in the procedure manual.
• Report tenant change in condition or concerns regarding tenant and/or tenant’s medication to facility RN immediately.
• Ensure tenant actually swallows medication and that all MAR sheets are completed accurately.
• Call tenant doctor’s office and/or pharmacy as directed by facility RN and/or Service Manager.
• Change bed linens. Assist or do tenants personal laundry.

Additional Duties:

• Review daily any and all communication tools used in providing tenant care.
• Communicate tenants’ needs with Resident Assistant staff at change of shift and as needed.
• Comply with State of Wisconsin rules and regulations
• Accurately record tenant data on appropriate forms in accordance with established policies and procedures such as incident reports
• Inventory and keep track of supplies needed such as Ensure, med cups, PRN meds, gloves, etc. and inform Service Manager and/or facility RN.
• Answer telephones
• Additional duties as assigned by Resident Care Coordinator, facility RN, Administrative Assistant

KNOWLEDGE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must have at least one year experience as a nursing assistant or CBRF certified caregiver preferably in the area of geriatrics
• Completion of all required trainings
• Proficient in English
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Ability to attend and participate in departmental meetings, in-services and training as required
• Availability to work nights, weekends and other holidays
• Must have genuine interest in the needs of the elderly population, understanding the problems they encounter and have patience and tact in servicing their needs.
• Maintain knowledge of federal and state laws pertaining to assisted living (Chapter DHS 89)
• Able to remember multiple tasks/assignments over long periods of time
• Discriminate colors in warning lights

Physical Qualifications:

• Ability to lift/carry 50 pounds
• Ability to walk and stand for prolonged periods of time, and reach, twist, sit, squat climb stairs, reach above shoulders and bend at knees
• Frequently support up to 70 pounds
• Frequently kneel, bend and reach
• Secure proper assistance for transferring and lifting tenants as needed