Neighborhood Assistant

BETHESDA NORTH POINTE

NEIGHBORHOOD ASSISTANT

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Summary: This position acts as a universal attendant and life-enrichment aid, doing a number of duties to provide comprehensive care for our residents, designed to maintain their physical and emotional well-being. Attending activities include serving and cleaning up after meals, helping residents to and from rooms, helping to clean rooms, making beds, etc. Life-enrichment activities include interacting with residents in large and small group settings, including exercise, devotionals, table activities (crafts, cards, etc.), art, pet and music therapy.

Job Relationships:

A. Reports to: Clinical Nurse Supervisor

B. Interrelationships with: Nursing, Culinary, and Housekeeping

C. Supervisory responsibilities (or internal contacts). No supervisory responsibilities

D. External Contacts: Resident’s families

Hours of Work:Part-time, day shift.

Dress Code: Street clothing appropriate in a business environment with identification name badge.

Essential Requirements of Work: (Minimum qualifications necessary to function at full productivity)

1. Education and Training: Previous experience is preferred but not required. No diploma, degree, or certificate needed.

1. Experience:

Previous work with elderly or physically challenged persons is desirable.

Work that demonstrates:

1. Ability to maintain outgoing, cheerful enthusiastic personality

2. Ability to function as a team player

3. Willingness and ability to learn

4. Demonstrate respect for the elderly and/or physically challenged

5. Ability to work independently

6. Ability to learn and appreciate other’s efforts

1. Personal:

1. Attend on-going activity training

2. Attend appropriate Bethesda in-services as scheduled

Knowledge, Skills and Ability for Full Performance:

1. Ability to read, write and follow directions and use general mathematical skills
2. Ability to speak clearly and to make oneself understood to residents of varying abilities
3. Ability to think creatively, plan and problem solve
4. Ability to relate to many differing needs of residents, family, visitors
5. Ability to write and do required paperwork
6. Continual professional updating
7. Ability to assist with transporting as assigned
8. Ability to assist other areas with various tasks (i.e.: helping during mealtimes such as helping to prepare and clean up after meals; helping with various housekeeping tasks such as cleaning rooms, making beds, etc.)

Physical Demands of the Job:

1. Frequent walking, twisting, standing, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling movements

2. Occasional squatting, kneeling sitting and reaching above shoulder level

3. Occasionally lifting weights 30 pounds

4. Exposure to communicable diseases

Mental Demands of the Job:

1. Ability to cope with a variety of people and various physical and mental states
2. Ability to cope with frequent interruptions
3. Ability to cope with many distressed, depressed, or lonely people
4. Ability to assist with tasks in all areas of North Pointe including serving meals and clean-up
5. Ability to make decisions regarding client safety in emergency situations
6. Ability to deal with limited place and no quiet place for concentration
7. Ability to deal with clients with dementia

Quality Performance results in:

1. Residents having an enhanced quality of life so that they can function at their optimum level, meeting their physical, emotional, intellectual, community, spiritual, social and well-being needs
2. Well-developed teamwork process within the department and with all other departments within the facility
3. Family members who feel listened to and supported
4. Staff that build on the advice and training from their supervisor, who are willing to upgrade skills and go the extra mile

Principle Job Responsibilities:

Responsibility: Performing life enrichment activities.

Tasks:

1. Spend the majority of time each day working directly with the residents.

2. Foster resident communication, self-expression and personal identity.

3. Be aware of resident interests, needs, goals, and assist to help them be successful.

4. Be friendly, helpful and accommodating to family members and volunteers.

5. Promote a spirit of open communication, cooperation, teamwork and friendliness within the department as well as with other departments.

6. Do the required documentation and care planning in a timely, legible and accurate manner.

7. Be creative in planning and implementing activities that meet different levels of abilities, assisting them to function at their highest practicable level.

8. Coordinate group and individual activities.

9. Implement activity programming that promotes the philosophy, policy and procedures of the activity department.

Responsibility: Assist with meals, snacks, and beverages.

Tasks:

1. Help take resident orders for meals and communicate with culinary team.

2. Prepare and pass snacks and beverages.

3. Pass meals.

4. Ask residents about their satisfaction and help offer alternatives if unsatisfied.

5. Assist residents to and from their rooms to mealtimes.

Responsibility: Perform light housekeeping tasks.

Tasks:

1. Take out garbage.

2. Make beds.

3. Dust.

4. Vacuum.

5. Clean and disinfect surfaces.

6. Clean bathrooms.

Professional and Personal Growth:

1. Report for and leave the work area on a timely basis.

2. Participate in annual performance evaluation process.

3. Write yearly personal goals.

4. Participate in all required in-service programs at Bethesda.

5. Maintain a professional conduct and pleasant, friendly attitude towards staff, residents, and visitors.

6. Be willing to learn and change to meet needs that arise.