RA C/S

SAINTJOHN’S COMMUNITIES

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Resident Assistant

REPORTS TO: ADON

FLSA: Non-Exempt – Hourly

JOB OBJECTIVE

Under the general direction of the Director of Nursing, Nurse Manager or RN Supervisor, the Resident Assistant (RA) provides personal care assistance to residents; incorporates person first behaviors in caregiving by providing residents with the power of choice resulting in high resident satisfaction; and adheres to policies, procedures, standards, and all state/federal regulations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Clinical Performance

• Provides personal care assistance to residents as directed by a licensed nurse either verbally or in writing (via electronic health record). Personal care includes -
  • Bathing: bed bath, tub bath, shower per resident preference and as scheduled.
  • Dressing/undressing: allowing resident choice in clothes selection.
  • Personal grooming; comb hair, brush teeth/dentures, nail care, shaving.
  • Eating: provides verbal cues, assists with cutting food, provides total eating assistance as needed.
  • Toileting: use of bathroom, urinal, bedpan as needed.
  • Mobility: assists with bed mobility/repositioning; ambulation with use of cane, walker, wheelchair; and transfers using a gait belt, or mechanical device such as a sit-to-stand or Hoyer lift.
• Assists licensed nurse with data collection to include –
  • Temperature (oral, axillary, rectal), pulse (radial), and respiratory rate. Reports any findings that are outside of normal parameters to the nurse.
  • Nutritional intake - reports intake to the nurse.
  • Weight – using bed scale, chair scale, standing scale
  • Intake and output – records on I&O record
• Provides supportive care to residents including –
  • Bedmaking – changes linens, makes bed daily and as needed.
  • Transportation – assists residents to move from one department to another (ex. to appointments with dentist, podiatry, hair salon, or social events).
  • Pet Care – cleans cat litter box, walks dogs
• Incorporates the principles of rehabilitation nursing and restorative care into daily activities as directed by a licensed nurse.
• Responsible for medication administration on a particular shift as assigned by a licensed nurse (if applicable to care setting).

Communication

• Knows and follows existing lines of communication and authority.
• Responds to resident requests for assistance by promptly answering call lights.
• Obtains report from nurse at the start of each shift and provides report to the nurse at the end of the shift.
• Observes and reports physical and/or behavioral changes in resident condition immediately to a licensed nurse.
• Provides brief update on residents to oncoming RAs at end of shift.
• Share input into the revision and updating of resident’s plan of care.
• Maintains the confidentiality of proprietary business, financial, health, personal or other information concerning residents, employees, consultants, prospects, and operations and where appropriate complies with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) as well as corporate and departmental standards.

Teamwork

• Together with the residents and neighborhood team participates in activities, socials, club meetings, holiday parties, special events and/or entertainment. Holds neighborhood activities (one-to-one, small group and large group activities or learning circles) as scheduled.
• Works with Rehabilitation services staff; follows instructions for care provided by rehabilitation services (if applicable).
• Works cooperatively with residents, clients, families, volunteers, visitors, and all levels of staff throughout the organization.
• Participates in resident care conferences (if applicable).

Development

• Completes all required educational modules/programs within expected timeframes without reminders.
  • Maintains a strong knowledge base in the care of residents with dementia.
• Assures that all resident rights are maintained. Report any violations of suspected deviations according to Saint John's policy. Assist in the investigation of allegations of abuse and misappropriation of residents’ property according to State and Federal regulations.

All Employees Must Foster Person Centered Care/Professional Integrity and Responsibility

• Act with honesty and openness in all resident/family/ responsible party and employee contacts. Function as Saint John’s Communities Ambassadors to maintain a working environment that values respect, fairness, inclusiveness, and integrity. Promote a responsible workplace in recognition and support of the boundaries of people with whom we work and serve.

• Demonstrate commitment to the person-first philosophy that gives residents the power of choice. Function as a community member within the principles and practices that guide care and services through knowing and honoring the person before the task. In this vein, we will:

• Foster relationships between residents, family and staff.

• Know each person as an individual who can and does make a difference.

• Nurture the spirit as well as the mind and body.

• Promote growth and development for all.

• Create an environment that meets the physical, social, emotional, intellectual, spiritual and occupational needs of individuals and the community.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, QUALIFICATIONS:

Qualifications:

• Must be at least 18 years old and have a High School Diploma or GED.
• Must have at least 3 months of experience as a Certified Nursing Assistant in a hospital, skilled nursing facility, assisted living, home health agency or other healthcare related work/volunteer experience. Work experience in a geriatric or rehabilitation setting is preferred.
• CBRF Certification, including Medication Administration, is preferred (Assisted Living, Towers).
• Possesses a valid driver’s license (Tower RAs only).
• Must be able to read, speak and write English.
• Must be current and maintain eligibility to work in a federally certified facility with the State Registry as a Nursing Assistant.
• Healthcare Provider BLS required within 6 months of hire

Knowledge:

• Must demonstrate the ability to comprehend and follow established policies and procedures.

Skills:

• Possesses basic computer skills with some proficiency in data entry.
• Must be able to communicate verbally with residents, families, the public, and other members of the organization.
• Able to document observations in writing.

Abilities:

• Demonstrates dependability and reliability in adhering to an established work schedule. Able to work flexible hours to meet scheduling requirements.
• Demonstrates performance efficiency in managing workload with little overtime. Able to adapt to changing organizational needs.
• Exhibits a warm, cheerful, caring manner when interacting with residents, families, co-workers, and other guests at Saint John’s.
• Must be professional in actions, dress appropriately to the position, have excellent customer service skills, and desire to work with and serve older adults.
• Able to multi-task and work independently while performing various duties without close supervision.

WORK SETTING/ENVIRONMENT

(The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

Setting

Work is performed indoors in a well-lighted and clean building with some exposure to dust.

Temperature

Heat, air conditioning and humidity are controlled by the building’s central system with a temperature variance of not more than 7 degrees on either side of the norm of 72 degrees.

Endurance

In general, needs physical stamina because considerable time is spent walking, standing, bending at bedside.

OSHA Risk

Frequent exposure to blood, body tissue and fluids with some exposure to infectious diseases and hazardous materials. Exposure to bodily injury on a regular basis. Exposure to toxins is rare.

Other

Frequently work is completed sitting at a desk with an appropriate chair; uses keyboard/personal computer, sitting for periods of time for data entry with possible musculoskeletal and eye strain**.**

EQUIPMENT USED

Clinical

Telephone, protective clothing including plastic and vinyl gloves, computer, printer, fax machine, oxygen concentrator and gauges, chair scales, bed pan, emesis basin, foley catheter equipment, pressure relieving devices, adaptive devices, tub, Broda chair, call/intercom system, cane, wheelchairs, electric wheelchair, walker, commode, electric bed, electric thermometer, electric time clock, gait belt, bed/chair alarms, Geri chair, mechanical and electric lifts, slings, hamper, isolation apparel, lapboard, slide sheet, nail clipper, switches, code alert system, all mattresses and those that require pumps.

Household

Washer, dryer, dishwasher, regular oven/stove, refrigerator/freezer, ice machine, popcorn maker, toaster, microwave oven, and coffee maker. (And any other equipment to meet the needs of the resident and/or as ordered by medical providers)

PHYSICAL/SENSORY COGNITIVE REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM THE ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: The physical demands described here are representatives of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The phrases “occasionally,” “regularly,” and “frequently” correspond to the following definitions: “occasionally” means up to 1/3 of working time, “regularly” means between 1/3 and 2/3 of working time, and “frequently” means 2/3 and more of working time.)

Physical Strength

Must be able to occasionally push/pull/lift/move objects weighing up to 50 pounds; Uses mechanical devices or assistance for lifting over 51 pounds; Push/pull objects weighing over 100 pounds due to the differences in resident weights when in wheelchairs. Residents frequently may be resistive and/or combative, and their actions cannot be anticipated in advance.

Manual Dexterity

Must be able to continuously perform simple manipulative tasks such using as the clinical equipment listed above as well as safety pins, buttons, snaps, buckles and tie strings. Occasionally performs difficult manipulative tasks**.**

Coordination

Must be able to frequently perform tasks requiring good hand/eye coordination and steadiness of motion for preparing and administering medications and taking blood pressures.

Mobility

Must be able to continuously stand and walk**;** frequently sit, occasionally squat, bend to floor, reach over shoulder, kneel, twist, sit, stand, and remain in uncomfortable positions for prolonged periods.

Speech

Must be able to continuously articulate clearly and precisely so as to give precise directions, speak on the phone and over the intercom

Emotional Stability

Must be able to continuously cope effectively with constant stress; working with sick residents and their families, resident who may be confused, irrational, highly agitated or given to abrupt mood swings, responding to emergency situations, frequent interruptions, ensuring regulatory compliance and interacting with State/Federal Surveyors, perform multiple tasks, exposed to noises, and work cooperatively as part of the health care team.

Vision

Must be able to continuously see objects closely to visually assess medical conditions. Ability to focus and read a thermometer, medical records, and see computer to perform documentation in computer, distinguish colors of warning lights.

Hearing

Must be able to continuously hear normal sounds and voice patterns with some background noise while using a stethoscope.

Smell

Must be able to occasionally use this sense to identify medical problems, smoke, spoiled food and soiled linen, etc.

Concentration

Must be able to continuously concentrate on fine detail with constant interruption.

Attention Span

Must be able to continuously attend to task/function for more than 60 minutes at a time.

Conceptualization

Must be able to frequently understand/use theories behind several related concepts.

Memory

Must be able to continuously remember verbal and written tasks/assignments for a full shift; frequently must remember multiple tasks/assignments given to self and others at beginning of a period and lasting over long periods.

• This job description is not intended to be all inclusive. The employee will also perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned by the supervisor or other management.
• Management reserves the right to change job responsibilities, duties, and hours as need prevail. This document is for management communication only and is not intended to imply a written or implied contract of employment.
• I have read and understand this job description. I agree to accept the responsibilities and duties as outlined with or without reasonable accommodation.