Caregiver

THE CENTER AT DONALDSON

Position Description

The Center at Donaldson places a high priority on incorporating our four core values into the daily performance of job responsibilities and leadership skills. These values are: community, dignity and respect for all, openness to the Spirit, and simplicity.

Position Title:                                    Caregiver

Organizational Classification:         Group I – Non-Exempt Hourly Co-Workers/Administrative Support

FLSA Classification:                         Non-Exempt   

Ministry:                                           Provincial Services

Date:                                                   January 2023 

Reports to:                                         Wellness Nurse Director

Job Summary:  Provides individualized care in one or more communities by developing personal relationships with the Sisters, knowing and understanding their stories, their wants and their needs. Functions as a member of a care team. Assists with areas of clinical care and household responsibilities by performing a wide range of tasks including meal selection assistance, personal care, laundry care, light housekeeping and supporting meaningful life and engagement. Accompanies Sisters to the emergency department or hospital for evaluation, acting as a support person for the Sister.

* Communicates appropriately with Sister Residents and Sister Wellness Nurses on issues of health and well-being. * Provides individualized care in one or more communities by developing personal relationships with the Sisters, knowing and understanding their stories, their wants and their needs. * Meets regularly with the Coordinator of Sister Residents to inform, coordinate, and evaluate health issues and needs of Sister Residents. * Assists with areas of clinical care and household responsibilities by performing a wide range of tasks including meal selection assistance, personal care, laundry care, light housekeeping and supporting meaningful life and engagement. * Assesses the health concerns of Sister Residents in a respectful and confidential manner. * Accompanies Sisters to the emergency department or hospital for evaluation, acting as a support person for the Sister. * Develops personal relationships with the Sisters, understanding that relationship and process may come before “task.” Provides individualized care to each Sister based on the Sister’s needs and abilities. * Assists the care team in the development of a personal plan with each Sister. Keeps the plan and the care team up to date daily through verbal communication and documentation. * Shares observations, concerns, questions, etc. about a Sister’s spiritual, emotional, physical, and clinical needs with the appropriate team member.  Works collaboratively with all care team members. * Actively participates as a member of the care team, responsible for dining needs, personal care, light housekeeping, supply usage (food, incontinence essentials, etc.) essential to the Sisters’ care. * Willingly accepts and fulfills responsibilities as a team lead as assigned. * Responds to call lights in a timely manner. * Provides care to each Sister based on the Sister’s preferences, abilities, clinical needs and in accordance with standard practices of care and treatment plans. * Encourages and assists Sisters in performing personal routines such as toileting, oral care, bathing, combing hair and dressing. Pays attention to detail.   Assures Sisters are neat and clean, dressed appropriately, hair combed, teeth brushed, glasses cleaned and on, hearing aids in and turned on, etc. * Accompanies Sisters to medical appointments as needed.  Passes any appropriate written information from interdisciplinary team to the health care provider and relays written information from the health provider to the care team. * Maintains accurate health records (weights, temperatures, blood pressures, pulse, and respirations, as required).  Tests blood sugars as assigned. * Frequently and routinely changes the position of Sisters unable to move independently per clinical orders. Immediately reports reddened areas or breakdowns of skin to the Nurse. * Assists Sisters in safely ambulating and transferring, using appropriate equipment. Knows and follows proper techniques for lifting and transferring using proper body mechanics. Is alert to and follows all safety precautions. * Serves and assists the Sisters at mealtimes.  Ensures meals are based on recommended diet and Sisters preferences. Notes and documents changes in appetite and/or ability to eat. * Assures Sisters have adequate fluids.  Serves fluids mid-morning, mid-afternoon and at bedtime or as requested. * Assists with taking inventory of, storing and ordering food supplies and maintaining par levels. * Helps to prepare and serve appropriate snacks. * Assists Sisters who are unable to eat without support as appropriate.  Feeding assistance training required. * Maintains a clean and orderly environment in the Sisters’ living space (including but not limited to their bedrooms, community rooms, dining areas and kitchenettes, makes beds as needed). * Keeps community neat and orderly. Picks up and empties trash, stocks bathroom, cleans shower after use, keeps linen closets, supply closets and laundry room clean and orderly. Laundering Sisters’ personal clothing and linens. * Disposes of soiled linen and paper products promptly according to established procedure. * Keeps equipment (walkers, canes, commodes, wheelchairs, electric carts) clean and reports damaged equipment that is not in working order. * Is knowledgeable and follows emergency plans (fire, weather, power outages, etc.). * Follows Universal Precautions and infection control methods.

SPECIFICATIONS

* CNA/QMA preferred

On-the-Job Training/Orientation Required:

* Aging In Place orientation checklist * Completion of new hire orientation

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

* Modern, friendly, home-like setting with the most current technology and equipment allowed while living our value of simplicity. * Occasional travel by automobile is required. * Ability to relate to others in a continuous basis is required. * Must possess excellent reasoning, math and language skills as well as written and verbal communication skills  * Position requires ability to make independent judgments * Position requires weekend and evening coverage 

WORKING CONDITIONS:

* Normally works in well-lit, comfortable surroundings.  May be subject to offensive odors and combative behavior.  Modern up-to-date equipment.

MACHINES, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT, and WORK AIDS:

* Walkers, canes, commodes, wheelchairs, electric carts

OSHA CATEGORY OF EXPOSURE:

Category I.  Tasks that involve exposure to blood, body fluid, or tissue.  Protective equipment is required.