Resident Assistant (Caregiver) - American House Senior Living Communities

Resident Assistant

Position Summary

Resident Assistants are an essential part of our wellness team by providing personal assistance to the residents and assisting residents to maintain their highest level of functional independence and psychosocial wellness under the direction and supervision of a RN or LPN.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Assists residents with activities of daily living, to include ambulation, transferring, showering, personal hygiene, incontinence care, feeding, reminders, and supervision according to the individual plan of care.
• Gathering, engaging, and assisting residents in activities, conducting activities in groups or one-on-one with residents as requested. Encouraging residents to socialize and participate in planned activities and develop friendships with other residents. 
• Maintain a clean, safe, and orderly environment for residents. Assure resident rooms are clean and tidy throughout each day and follows scheduled housekeeping tasks such as laundry as assigned.  Serves meals to residents in dining room or apartment. 
• Encourages the resident to eat a balanced diet while respecting the resident’s right of free choice. Documents and reports any changes in eating habits to supervisor.
• Observes residents and reports changes in resident’s psychosocial and physical condition as well as any concerns, e.g., skin breakdown, rash, behavioral changes, speech change, change in appearance, etc., to Wellness Director.
• Maintains the resident record daily following company policy and procedure.
• Follows established safety protocols, including fire protection, infection control, blood borne pathogens, hazardous waste, and quality assurance procedures. Responds to all requests for assistance promptly and with a positive demeanor including emergency pull cords, telephone calls, and requests from family members or friends.
• Report all complaints, grievances, suspicion of abuse and instances of abuse to the Wellness Director and/or the Executive Director.
• Participates and attends Wellness meetings and required trainings to ensure compliance with all regulations and policies
• Other duties as assigned

 Required Skills/Abilities:

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with both residents and staff. Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos.  Ability to write simple correspondence.
• Able to make standard and routine decisions based on detailed guidelines with little independent judgement. Problems are generally solved with clear, detailed guidelines or by reporting them to a supervisor. 

Preferred Skill/Abilities:

• Experience working with older adults
• CNA Certification
• Previous experience in Assisted Living or Memory Care
• Knowledge of dementia and related diseases preferred

Education and Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent educational experience
• Minimum 18 years of age
• Must pass a pre-employment background check, drug screen, TB test and physical

Physical Demands:  

• Standing, Walking
• Sitting
• Use hands and fingers to handle/feel
• Reach with hands and arms
• Talk or hear
• Vision
• Able to lift up to 50 pounds

Working Conditions:  

• Requires interaction with co-workers, clients, and/or vendors
• Occasional weekend, evening, or night work if needed to ensure shift coverage
• Possible exposure to communicable diseases, infections, and/or blood-borne pathogens
• Potential injury from transferring, repositioning, or lifting clients
• Exposure to latex
• Possible exposure to various drugs, chemicals, infectious or biological hazards

Founded in 1979, American House Senior Living Communities’ vision is to provide high-quality housing for senior at a price affordable for retirees and their families. That vision of excellence has endured for nearly 40 years and expanded to serve residents at a number of senior housing communities. Our mission is to enrich the lives of those we serve, providing an environment that fosters meaningful relationships. Our vision is to be an innovative senior housing company that created sustainable excellence and stakeholder value, with an unparalleled commitment to passionate care provided by compassionate people.